Baldwin's Bridge Trust

Charity Number: 1075251

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~£51,000 (grants/donations)
  • Total Income: £308,547 (2025)
  • Grant Range: £15,000+ for major projects; smaller amounts for local community initiatives
  • Geographic Focus: Parishes of Eton and Eton Wick, Berkshire only
  • Meeting Schedule: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Net Assets: £9,959,480

Contact Details

  • Address: The Clerk to the Baldwin's Bridge Trust, c/o The Austen-Leigh & Baldwin Institute, Eton Court, Eton, Windsor SL4 6BY
  • Phone: +44 7717 322125
  • Email: suemilne.bbt@gmail.com
  • Website: https://baldwinsbridgetrust.co.uk/

Overview

Baldwin's Bridge Trust is one of the oldest charities in England, established by royal patent from Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Originally founded to maintain Baldwin's Bridge in Eton, the Trust has evolved over more than 430 years to also support charitable purposes benefiting residents of Eton and Eton Wick. The Trust generates income primarily from rental properties built on land it owns south of the bridge in Eton High Street.

The Trust is governed by a scheme granted by the Charity Commissioners dated 24 February 1999 and registered as charity number 1075251. It operates as an unincorporated association with net assets of nearly £10 million, including UK quoted investments valued at over £728,000. In addition to bridge maintenance, the Trust runs the Austen-Leigh & Baldwin Institute in Eton Court, which provides community space for meetings, lectures, classes, and leisure activities. The Trust has a long history of community support dating back centuries, including apprenticeship funding, poor relief, flood assistance, and ongoing Christmas voucher distributions to local senior citizens.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Major Capital Projects: Grants of £15,000+ for significant infrastructure or building projects benefiting local residents (e.g., Thames Hospice bridge funding, Windsor Boys School Rowing Club)
  • Community Support: Smaller grants for local organisations' equipment, repairs, and general operating costs
  • Individual Support: Christmas vouchers distributed annually to over 100 senior citizens for use at local shops

Priority Areas

  • Infrastructure projects benefiting Eton and Eton Wick residents
  • Local community organisations and charities
  • Youth development and education
  • Recreation and leisure facilities
  • Welfare support for elderly residents
  • Emergency relief (e.g., flood assistance)

Recent Grant Recipients

  • Thames Hospice (bridge construction connecting Inpatient Unit gardens)
  • Windsor Boys School Rowing Club (£15,000)
  • Eton Community Association (Christmas Lights/Barnes Pool)
  • Eton Wick Football & Social Club (roof repairs)
  • British Red Cross
  • Eton Parochial Church
  • Eton Wick Scouts
  • Eton Wick School (IT equipment)

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside the parishes of Eton and Eton Wick
  • Applications not aligned with the Trust's charitable objectives
  • Projects that do not benefit local inhabitants
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust comprises 12 trustees from the Eton and Eton Wick community, with 4 positions nominated by Eton Town Council. The leadership structure uses historic titles dating back to 1592:

  • Bridge Master (Chair): Linda Tarbox
  • Bridge Man (Deputy Chair): Position elected at Whitsun each year

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Notable past Bridgemasters include Mrs Florence Wilson, who became the first woman appointed to the post in 1956.

Quote from Linda Tarbox, Bridgemaster: “We were delighted to visit the Hospice and see how this wonderful new building and its beautiful surroundings help support more people in our community.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for grants must be addressed in writing to the Clerk of the Trust. There is no online application portal. Submit applications by post or email to:

  • Post: The Clerk to the Baldwin's Bridge Trust, c/o The Austen-Leigh & Baldwin Institute, Eton Court, Eton, Windsor SL4 6BY
  • Email: suemilne.bbt@gmail.com

Decision Timeline

The Trust meets quarterly to consider grant applications:

  • Meeting Schedule: March, June, September, and December
  • Trustees consider requests at their meetings and decide on individual cases on merit in accordance with the Trust's objectives

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the trustees.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Contact the Clerk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and past funding decisions:

  • Local Benefit Essential: Applications must clearly demonstrate benefit to residents of Eton and Eton Wick parishes. The Trust's objectives explicitly limit funding to these geographic areas.
  • Alignment with Charitable Objectives: The trustees “decide on an individual case on merit in accordance with the objectives of the Charity.” Ensure your application explicitly connects to their purposes.
  • Examples of Funded Projects: The Trust has funded diverse projects including sports facilities (rowing club), community infrastructure (Christmas lights, roof repairs), educational equipment (IT for schools), youth organisations (Scouts), healthcare facilities (Thames Hospice), and churches.
  • Written Applications: All applications must be submitted in writing to the Clerk—this is the only accepted method.
  • Quarterly Consideration: Submit applications well in advance of quarterly meetings to allow adequate review time.
  • Legacy Connection: The Trust values creating lasting connections with funded projects. The Thames Hospice project was described as creating “a connection to the Hospice which will now always be there for all to enjoy.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only projects benefiting residents of Eton and Eton Wick parishes are eligible—no exceptions
  • Submit in writing: Applications must be addressed to the Clerk; no online portal or alternative methods
  • Plan around quarterly meetings: The Trust meets in March, June, September, and December to consider applications
  • Demonstrate community benefit: Frame your project in terms of how it will advantage local inhabitants
  • Diverse funding interests: The Trust supports everything from major capital projects (£15,000+) to small equipment purchases and individual welfare
  • Long-established local trust: With 430+ years of history, the Trust values its role in the community and responds well to projects that create lasting local impact
  • Direct contact recommended: For significant projects, consider initial contact with the Clerk to discuss alignment before formal application

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