The Puttenham Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £80,000-85,000 (estimated based on recent income)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Puttenham village and nearby villages, Tring Rural parish, Hertfordshire

Contact Details

Address: Astrope Folly, Astrope, Tring, HP23 4PN

Website: None

Overview

The Puttenham Trust is a small, locally-focused charitable trust established through the efforts of Joan Newman (1921-c.2000) to support the Puttenham village community near Tring, Hertfordshire. With annual income of approximately £80,000-85,000 in recent years, the Trust makes grants to multiple beneficiaries including local university students, elderly and infirm residents, local charities, and maintains St Mary's Church and Cecilia Hall. Operating without a website or formal application process, this trust exemplifies traditional community philanthropy administered through personal connections and local knowledge by its trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Educational Grants: Support for local students attending university (covering costs associated with studies)
• Elderly Support Grants: Financial aid for elderly and infirm residents in need
• Local Charity Grants: Support for local charities to assist with their duty of care
• Church and Hall Maintenance: Regular funding for St Mary's Church, churchyard maintenance, and Cecilia Hall

Priority Areas

The Trust's charitable objects, as registered with the Charity Commission, are:

• The advancement of the Christian religion for the benefit of the inhabitants of Puttenham, including the maintenance of the churchyard and Church of St Mary Puttenham
• The relief of poverty or hardship for any family or persons who have belonged to the Church of St Mary Puttenham for a period of three years immediately beforehand or who have resided in the Parish of Puttenham for such period
• The advancement of education of young persons living in the Parish of Puttenham by awarding bursaries or grants
• The maintenance and repair of St Mary's Church and churchyard and Cecilia Hall Puttenham
• Organising fundraising events to encourage participation in charitable work

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but funding is geographically restricted to Puttenham and nearby villages in the Tring Rural parish area.

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by unpaid trustees who manage the charity's activities locally:

• Dr. E.M.C. Ernst
• Mrs. L. Elliott
• Mrs. G. Barber
• Mrs. C. Rutter (Christine Rutter)
• Mr. E. G. Rutter
• Mr. T. Watson
• Mr. O. C. Matthews

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

How to Apply to The Puttenham Trust

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust operates informally through local community connections. Grants are typically awarded through:

• Direct contact with trustees
• Local knowledge and community relationships
• Recommendations from St Mary's Church Puttenham or Cecilia Hall
• Personal approaches within the local community

For enquiries, contact the Trust at its registered address: Astrope Folly, Astrope, Tring, HP23 4PN.

Getting on Their Radar

For potential beneficiaries in the Puttenham area:

• Engage with St Mary's Church Puttenham or Cecilia Hall activities
• Contact the Trust directly at its registered address to discuss needs
• For educational grants, ensure residency or church membership requirement is met (3 years in Puttenham parish or 3 years membership at St Mary's Church prior to application)
• Build relationships within the local community network

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed; likely informal and based on trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's informal, community-based approach:

• Local connection is essential - must be from Puttenham or nearby villages in Tring Rural parish, or a member of St Mary's Church Puttenham
• For educational grants: Must have resided in Puttenham parish or been a member of St Mary's Church for 3 years prior to application
• Personal connection matters - this Trust operates through relationships and local knowledge
• Demonstrate genuine local need - the Trust focuses on supporting vulnerable community members
• Align with traditional community values - church maintenance and elderly care are core priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a hyperlocal trust with no formal application process - personal contact is essential
• Geographic restrictions are strict - only Puttenham and immediately surrounding villages qualify
• Contact should be made through the Trust's registered address
• The Trust values traditional community support: education, elderly care, church preservation
• Three-year residency in parish or church membership is required for poverty relief and educational grants
• No website or formal guidelines means flexibility but also requires direct communication
• Best approached through existing community connections rather than cold applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Mobbs Memorial Trust Limited
• Roslyn Florence Harding
• The Fulmer Charitable Trust
• The Lawton Trust Limited
• The Lionel Abel-smith Trust
• Grimsdale Charitable Trust
• The Stevenage Community Trust
• The Ralph And Irma Sperring Charity
• The Whittlesey Charity
• Heveningham Hall Country Fair Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for The Puttenham Trust (Charity Number 1050953)
• Charity Commission Annual Return and Financial Information
• Tring Rural History - “The Saviour of Puttenham Church” article on Joan Newman
• Tring Rural History - “Handed Down History from Puttenham”