The Lionel Abel-smith Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £214,234 (expenditure for year ending Nov 2024)
• Total Income: £281,350
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Variable - majority reviewed at annual April meeting, some reviewed year-round
• Grant Range: No minimum or maximum specified
• Geographic Focus: Parish of Wendover, Moor Park Estate, and houses to the right of Halton Lane from Moor Park up to Perch Bridge (Buckinghamshire)
• Total Awarded Since 1977: Over £2 million

Contact Details

Website: www.wendovertrust.org

Email: clerk@wendovertrust.org

Phone: 7423266713

Postal Address: Clerk to the Trust, 51 Dobbins Lane, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DL

Overview

The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust was created in December 1977 by Lionel Abel-Smith, Lord of the Manor of Wendover, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trust was established with donated cottages and a substantial cash endowment. Over more than 40 years, the Trust has awarded over £2 million in grants to individuals, clubs and organisations in the Wendover community. The charity operates with 10 trustees who are active community members with strong local connections. With an income of £281,350 and expenditure of £214,234 (year ending November 2024), the Trust remains committed to improving the lives and wellbeing of people in the parish through grants ranging from individual assistance for specific needs to multi-year community projects. The Trust has demonstrated environmental responsibility through energy-efficient property management and responsible fund investment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single, flexible grant program with no maximum or minimum grant amounts:

• Individual Grants: Support for essential needs, medical necessities, educational needs, mobility aids, disability equipment, training and college course costs, and pursuit of talent
• Organizational Grants: Funding for clubs, charities, schools, youth groups, sports clubs, and community organizations
• Major Capital Projects: Multi-year funding for significant community infrastructure projects

Application Method: Rolling basis with majority of grants reviewed at annual meeting in April. Applications accepted online via website, email, or post. Two formal trustee meetings held in Spring and Autumn, with additional applications considered throughout the year.

Priority Areas

The Trust provides funding across a broad range of activities to benefit residents of Wendover and Moor Park:

• Medical necessities and equipment for individuals with disabilities
• Educational and training opportunities
• Youth development and pursuit of talent
• Community infrastructure (halls, pools, churches, sports facilities)
• Support for elderly and disadvantaged individuals
• Sports and recreation facilities
• Environmental sustainability initiatives
• Cultural and music programs

Recent Examples of Support:

• Chiltern MS Centre
• Florence Nightingale Hospice
• Wendover Dementia Support
• John Colet School
• Wendover C of E Junior School
• Scouts and Girl Guides
• Wendover Cricket Club
• Wendover Swimming Pool (retractable roof and changing rooms)
• Wendover Tennis & Squash Club
• Memorial Hall refurbishment
• St Mary's Church refurbishment
• St Anne's Hall refurbishment
• Towpath improvement projects

What They Don't Fund

• Retrospective expenses: Grants cannot be awarded for costs already incurred
• Debt repayment: Cannot be used to pay off debts or rent arrears
• Projects outside geographic area: Must benefit residents of Wendover Parish, Moor Park Estate, or specified Halton Lane properties

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 10 trustees who are active members of the community with strong local connections. No trustees receive remuneration or payments for their service.

Key Personnel:

• Chair: Bob Duggan
• Vice-Chairs: Dr. Gwen Williams and Marion Clayton
• President & Family Trustee: Sarah Potter
• Patron: Tony Mogford MBE

Quote from Patron Tony Mogford MBE:

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of Lionel Abel-Smith Esq., the people of Wendover will greatly benefit for generations to come”

The Trust holds two formal meetings annually in Spring and Autumn to review grant applications, with additional applications considered throughout the year. The Trust has demonstrated environmental commitment through energy-efficient property insulation, responsible fund investment, and paperless AGMs since 2019.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted throughout the year and can be submitted through three methods:

1. Online: Via the application form at www.wendovertrust.org/apply
2. Email: clerk@wendovertrust.org
3. Post: Clerk to the Trust, 51 Dobbins Lane, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DL

Deadline for Annual Meeting Review: Applications should be received by 28 February for consideration at the main annual meeting in April. However, applications submitted at other times will be reviewed as they are received.

Required Documentation:

• GDPR consent (applications reviewed as soon as consent is given)
• For specific equipment or courses: receipts must be provided within 30 days of grant approval

Decision Timeline

• Review Speed: Applications are reviewed as soon as GDPR consent has been given
• Majority of Decisions: Made at the annual meeting in April for applications received by 28 February
• Year-Round Applications: The Trust also considers applications outside the annual meeting cycle
• Payment Speed: Once approved, grants are paid via online banking within a few days

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly published. The Trust states that “there is no limit to the number of applications that can be made and each will be reviewed individually and discussed based on its own merits.”

Reapplication Policy

• No limits: There is no limit to the number of applications an individual or organization can make
• Fresh consideration: Each application is reviewed individually on its own merits
• No appeal process: The decision of the Trustees is final with no appeal process or reasons for decline given

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be within the geographic area: Parish of Wendover, Moor Park Estate, or houses to the right of Halton Lane from Moor Park up to Perch Bridge
• Not means-tested, but individual circumstances will be considered
• Grants do not affect benefits eligibility

For Large Projects:

The Trust explicitly states that “for large projects, the Trust would be looking for other funding opportunities to also be investigated by the applicant.” This indicates that demonstrating efforts to secure match funding or showing a diversified funding strategy strengthens applications for major grants.

Application Handling:

• All applications are handled by trustees “in the strictest confidence”
• Applications are considered based on merit rather than means testing
• The Trust has funded everything from individual needs (equipment, education) to major multi-year community projects (swimming pool facilities, church renovations, memorial hall refurbishment)

Strategic Considerations:

• The Trust appears to value broad community benefit - major grants have gone to facilities and institutions that serve the entire parish
• The Trust is flexible about grant amounts with no stated minimum or maximum
• Multiple funding types can be supported: one-off individual needs, organizational operating support, and capital projects
• Environmental responsibility is valued by the Trust's leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is absolute: Only residents, organizations, or projects within the specific parish boundaries qualify - verify your location falls within the catchment area
• Timing matters for larger grants: Submit by 28 February for April annual meeting consideration if seeking significant funding; smaller or urgent requests can be submitted year-round
• Match funding strengthens large project applications: The Trust explicitly expects major projects to demonstrate pursuit of additional funding sources
• No means testing but demonstrate need: While not means-tested, be clear about how the grant will improve lives and wellbeing in the community
• Provide receipts promptly: For equipment or course funding, be prepared to provide receipts within 30 days of approval to receive payment
• Fast payment turnaround: Once approved, funds can be received within days via online banking
• No appeal but can reapply: Trustees' decisions are final without explanation, but there's no restriction on submitting future applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Mobbs Memorial Trust Limited
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• William Harding's Charity
• The Carrington Charitable Trust
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• The Jim Marshall Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• John Jackson Charitable Trust
• The Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited
• The William Price Charitable Trust

References

• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust Official Website: https://wendovertrust.org/
• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust FAQs: https://wendovertrust.org/faqs
• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust - Who We Help: https://wendovertrust.org/help
• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust - About: https://wendovertrust.org/about
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust (Charity No. 274879): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=274879&subid=0
• Wendover News - Lionel Abel Smith Trust: https://wendovernews.co.uk/local-organisations/lionel-abel-smith-trust/