The Bridge House Trust - Non-ecclesiastical

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £33,819 (2024)
• Success Rate: Very high - “rarely declines requests from Datchet based organisations”
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months (meets twice yearly)
• Grant Range: £74 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: Ancient parish of Datchet, Berkshire (local only)

Contact Details

Clerk to the Trustees: Adrian Needham

Phone: 01753 593771

Email: clerk@thebridgehousetrust.co.uk

Website: www.thebridgehousetrust.co.uk

Charity Number: 248190

Overview

The Bridge House Trust - Non-Ecclesiastical, also known as the Barker Bridge House Trust, is a historic local charity serving the village of Datchet in Berkshire. Formally established as a charitable trust in 1724, its origins trace back to at least 1570. The trust was originally established to maintain a bridge in Datchet but evolved through a cy-près scheme to support the broader community.

The trust operates through three distinct branches: the Estate Trustees manage assets (primarily the Royal Stag public house and agricultural land), the Church Branch receives 40% of income for St Mary's Parish Church maintenance, and the Non-Ecclesiastical Branch receives 60% of income (approximately £33,819 in 2024) for charitable purposes benefiting Datchet residents. With five trustees who serve voluntarily without remuneration, this small but impactful charity has financed major community projects including the riverfront wall, war memorial refurbishment, and recreation ground facilities, while also supporting numerous local organizations from schools to sports clubs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Single flexible grant program: £74 - £50,000 (applications considered twice yearly at trustee meetings in April and October)

Priority Areas

The trust supports projects “for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of the ancient parish of Datchet,” including:

• Capital Projects: Major infrastructure including riverfront walls, war memorial restoration, recreation ground facilities
• Education: School equipment (musical instruments, technology, pupil lockers, cashless systems, play area groundwork)
• Youth Organizations: Scouts (including World Scout Jamboree attendance, security fencing)
• Sports Clubs: Cricket practice nets, bar coolers, football kits
• Community Groups: Village hall, Datchet Players (stage curtains), Women's Institute
• Health & Social Care: Thames Hospice Care (lifting devices, height-adjustable beds)
• Community Events: British Legion Christmas on the Green, Datchet Fete Committee equipment
• Environmental Projects: Wild About Datchet initiatives
• Local Governance: Parish Council projects, Village Society initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Relief of rates, taxes or other public funds
• General running costs
• Staff provision
• Projects that should be financed from public funds
• Organizations and beneficiaries must be based in or benefit Datchet residents

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by five trustees who serve voluntarily with no remuneration. The trust operates through three interconnected entities:

The Estate Trustees (Charity 202808): Manage the trust's capital assets, including the Royal Stag public house and agricultural land off Southlea Road.

The Non-Ecclesiastical Branch (Charity 248190): The grant-making arm receiving 60% of income.

The Church Branch (Charity 248191): Receives 40% of income for maintaining St Mary's Parish Church.

Known Trustee: John Livingston serves as Chairman of the Barker Bridge House Trust and is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. He is also a Deacon and lay preacher at the Baptist Church in Datchet. Commenting on the trust's work, Livingston has noted the importance of supporting “local community causes including Scouts, WI and sports clubs.”

Administrative Support: Adrian Needham serves as Clerk to the Trustees, handling day-to-day administration and application inquiries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The application process is described as “not complicated.” Applications should be submitted as a written letter to the Clerk (Adrian Needham) either by email (clerk@thebridgehousetrust.co.uk) or by post.

Required Information:

• Evidence that you are a Datchet-based organization
• Description of your organization's activities and membership
• Description of the project or activities requiring funding
• Estimated costs including copies of quotations where possible
• Details of other sources of funding
• The specific amount you are requesting from the trust

Decision Timeline

The trust meets twice yearly in April and October, creating a potential decision timeline of approximately 6 months depending on when you apply. Contact the Clerk to confirm submission deadlines for upcoming meetings.

Success Rates

The trust reports that it “rarely declines requests from Datchet based organisations or that benefit Datchet residents,” suggesting a very high success rate for eligible applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or restrictions are documented. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Clerk to discuss their application and potential resubmission.

Application Success Factors

• Clear Datchet Connection: Applications must provide clear evidence of being a Datchet-based organization or demonstrating direct benefit to Datchet residents. This is non-negotiable.
• Capital Project Focus: The trustees explicitly prefer “capital projects or for the purchase of specific items of equipment.”
• Volunteer-Driven Organizations: The trust has expressed support for “organisations that are kept going by the hard work of volunteers.”
• Detailed Cost Information: Include “estimated costs including copies of quotations where possible.”
• Funding Mix: Detail “what other sources of funding you have or are applying for.”
• Broad Community Benefit: The trust values projects that contribute to the overall vitality of village life.
• Specificity Over General Support: Focus on specific projects or equipment purchases rather than general running costs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is absolute: Only Datchet-based organizations or projects directly benefiting Datchet residents qualify
• Timing matters: With only two decision meetings per year (April and October), plan your application timeline carefully
• Capital projects preferred: Frame your application around specific equipment purchases or capital improvements
• High approval rate: The trust “rarely declines requests” from eligible Datchet organizations
• Keep it simple: The application requires only a letter covering specified points
• No size restrictions: Grants ranging from £74 to £50,000 demonstrate flexibility
• Long history of community support: With origins dating to 1570, this trust understands local needs and values long-term community benefit

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• Baldwin's Bridge Trust
• John Jackson Charitable Trust
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust
• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust
• The William Price Charitable Trust
• Queenborough Fishery Trust
• Barton Under Needwood and Dunstall Key Trust
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• Charity Commission Register: The Bridge House Trust - Non-Ecclesiastical (Charity 248190). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=248190&subid=0 []
• The Barker Bridge House Trust website: “What is BBHT?” Available at: http://www.thebridgehousetrust.co.uk/what-is-bbht.html []
• The Barker Bridge House Trust website: “Can we help?” Available at: http://www.thebridgehousetrust.co.uk/can-we-help.html []
• Datchet.org: “Charities.” Available at: https://www.datchet.org/charities.html []
• Datchet History: “Robert Barker, Printer to Queen Elizabeth I.” Available at: https://datchethistory.org.uk/datchet-people/robert-barker/ []
• Datchet History: “The Royal Stag.” Available at: https://datchethistory.org.uk/streetshouses/the-north-greens/the-royal-stag/ []
• Stationers' Company: “Freeman John Livingston has been appointed as a trustee of the Barker Bridge House Trust Charity.” Available at: https://stationers.org/news/industry-news/freeman-john-livingston-has-been-appointed-as-a-trustee-of-the-barker-bridge-house-trust-charity []
• British History Online: “Parishes: Datchet.” Victoria County History of Buckinghamshire, Volume 3. Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/bucks/vol3/pp249-255 []