The Norben Charity

Charity Number: 1060733

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 1060733
  • Annual Giving: £150,000 (2018 data)
  • Geographic Focus: Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
  • Grant Range: £15,000+ (based on known awards)
  • Application Process: No public application process (trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Email: pepnorton@gmail.com

Phone: +353 40 462648

Address: Ard Na Cree Church Hill, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland

Note: The charity has 2 trustees and no employees. Charity reporting is significantly overdue (1,673+ days as of latest check).

Overview

The Norben Charity was established by Reverend Peter Norton, former Vicar of Appleby and Warcop, who now resides in Ireland. The charity's name derives from the founder's surname. Founded with a specific focus on supporting the town and parish of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria, the charity demonstrates a strong commitment to local ecclesiastical, civic, and community needs. While financial data from 2018 shows an income of £14,375 and expenditure of £150,000, suggesting the charity may be drawing on reserves for grant-making, more recent financial information is unavailable due to overdue reporting. Reverend Norton was particularly moved by the aftermath of Storm Desmond and the devastating floods of 2015, which appears to have influenced the charity's community support focus.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Norben Charity operates on trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. All grants are decided by the charity's two trustees.

Priority Areas

  • Ecclesiastical needs in Appleby-in-Westmorland
  • Civic projects supporting the local community
  • Christian initiatives and church-related activities
  • Community projects benefiting Appleby-in-Westmorland residents
  • Disaster relief and recovery (demonstrated through support following Storm Desmond floods)

The charity's governing documents allow trustees to make grants “in any other charitable cause at their discretion,” providing flexibility beyond the core geographic focus.

Geographic Focus

Primary focus: Town and parish of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, England

Known Grant Examples

  • £15,000 to Oaklea Trust for #ProjectEdenside - supporting local community services
  • Undisclosed amount to Moot Hall refurbishment project (2022) - described as a “very generous donation” for the historic building's restoration
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Governance and Leadership

The charity has 2 trustees who make all grant decisions. The charity was founded by Reverend Peter Norton, former Vicar of Appleby and Warcop.

The charity has no employees and does not raise funds from the public. Trustees do not receive remuneration for their service.

Important Note: The charity's reporting to the Charity Commission is significantly overdue (over 1,673 days), meaning current trustee information and recent activities may not be publicly documented.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Norben Charity does not have a public application process.

Grants are made at the discretion of the charity's trustees, who identify and support projects aligned with the charity's objectives. The charity appears to operate through trustee knowledge of local needs and direct relationships with organizations in the Appleby-in-Westmorland area.

Based on available evidence, grants are likely awarded to:

  • Organizations and projects known to the trustees
  • Initiatives brought to the trustees' attention through community connections
  • Projects that clearly align with the charity's focus on Appleby-in-Westmorland's ecclesiastical, civic, and community needs

Getting on Their Radar

Given the founder's background as the former Vicar of Appleby and Warcop, the charity has strong connections to:

  • Church communities in Appleby-in-Westmorland and Warcop
  • Local civic organizations and community groups in the area
  • Projects addressing community resilience, particularly those related to disaster recovery (following the trustees' response to Storm Desmond)

Organizations working in Appleby-in-Westmorland on projects aligned with the charity's priorities may consider reaching out directly via the contact email (pepnorton@gmail.com), noting:

  • The charity operates from Ireland but focuses on Appleby-in-Westmorland
  • Clear alignment with ecclesiastical, civic, Christian, or community objectives is essential
  • Projects demonstrating tangible benefit to the Appleby-in-Westmorland community

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information and lack of a formal application process, success factors are based on observed grant patterns:

  • Strong local connection: All known grants have gone to Appleby-in-Westmorland projects
  • Community benefit: Projects with clear impact on local residents (e.g., Oaklea Trust's community services, Moot Hall civic building)
  • Alignment with founding mission: Ecclesiastical, civic, Christian, or community-focused initiatives
  • Established organizations: Known grants went to registered charities and recognized civic projects
  • Connection to trustees: Given the discretionary nature, trustee awareness of your organization is crucial

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No formal application process exists - this is a trustee-discretion charity requiring direct relationship building
  • Hyper-local focus: Must benefit Appleby-in-Westmorland specifically
  • Grant capacity appears significant: Despite modest income (£14k in 2018), the charity spent £150k, suggesting substantial reserves
  • Founded by former local vicar: Church and faith-based connections likely advantageous
  • Civic and community projects welcomed: Not exclusively religious - supported Moot Hall refurbishment and social care project
  • Contact from Ireland: Founder now lives in Ireland but maintains commitment to Appleby-in-Westmorland
  • Reporting concerns: Significant overdue reporting may indicate operational challenges or low activity levels - approach with this context in mind

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References

  1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Norben Charity (1060733)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/1060733

Accessed: December 2025

  1. Charity Choice - The Norben Charity Directory Entry

https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-norben-charity-86437

Accessed: December 2025

  1. Oaklea Trust - Fundraising for #ProjectEdenside

Reference to £15,000 Norben Charity donation and background on Peter Norton

https://oakleatrust.co.uk/what-we-do/project-edenside/fundraising-for-projectedenside

Referenced in search results: December 2025

  1. Visit Appleby - Moot Hall Opening Summer 2022

Reference to Norben Charity donation to Moot Hall refurbishment

https://visitappleby.com/2022/07/18/moot-hall-opening-summer-2022/

Accessed: December 2025