The Town Trust Or Lords Estate

Charity Number: 252207

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £578,528 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not specified (rolling applications)
  • Grant Range: £246 - £50,000 (based on recent awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire only

Contact Details

Website: www.lordsfeoffees.co.uk

Email: office@lordsfeoffees.org.uk (or lordsfeoffees@btconnect.com)

Phone: 01262 674308

Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM

Address: Manor House, 64 High Street, Bridlington, YO16 4PZ

Overview

The Lords Feoffees and Assistants of the Manor of Bridlington, formally registered as The Town Trust or Lords Estate (Charity No. 252207), was established by the Great Town Deed of 1636 to benefit the town and townspeople of Bridlington. With total income of £765,798 in 2024, the organization generates the majority of its income (£578,539) from investments in a diverse property portfolio including agricultural land, open spaces, car parks, residential and commercial properties, and the Bayle Museum. The charity spent £578,528 on charitable activities in 2024, supporting Bridlington schools, clubs, organizations, and individuals through grants and scholarships. The organization maintains 17 employees and is governed by 9 trustees who receive no remuneration, preserving the historic governance structure of thirteen Lords Feoffees and twelve Assistants established nearly 400 years ago.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Organizational Grants - Rolling basis, written applications

  • Grant range: £246 to £50,000 based on recent awards
  • Applications accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines
  • Written applications required (by post or email)

University Scholarships - Annual application cycle

  • Up to £1,200 per year for degree-level students
  • For Bridlington residents pursuing higher education
  • Applications open in April for the following academic year
  • Deadline typically in July (e.g., July 25 for 2025-26 academic year)

School Annual Funding

  • All Bridlington schools eligible for annual funding allocations
  • Substantial expenditure dedicated to education support

Priority Areas

The Lords Feoffees support a broad range of activities benefiting Bridlington residents:

Education & Youth Development

  • School equipment, facilities, and resources
  • University scholarships for local students
  • Youth services and educational access programs (e.g., £50,000 to IntoUniversity)
  • Playground improvements and learning environments

Sports & Recreation

  • Training kits and equipment for youth sports teams
  • Coaching and training certification for volunteers
  • Sports club facilities and tournament participation
  • Multi-sport provision across age groups

Community Services & Infrastructure

  • Community cafes and social spaces
  • Digital inclusion initiatives
  • Heritage preservation (sailing cobles, local history)
  • Equipment for community organizations
  • RNLI lifeboat funding
  • Community events and festivals (Pride, festivals)

Arts & Culture

  • Theatre groups and performing arts
  • Community events and celebrations
  • Cultural heritage initiatives

Individual Support

  • Charitable assistance for Bridlington residents facing hardship
  • Separate application forms for individuals aged 16+ and for dependents under 16

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not detailed on their website, the geographic restriction is absolute:

  • Organizations or individuals not connected to Bridlington - The charity's governing document mandates benefit exclusively for “the Town and Townspeople of Bridlington”
  • Applicants must demonstrate clear connection to and benefit for the Bridlington community
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Governance and Leadership

Trustee Structure

The Lords Feoffees maintains its historic two-tier governance model established in 1636:

The Lords (10 Trustees)

  • Gregory Q. Gray (Elected 1975, Elevated 1995; Chief Lord 2019, 2023)
  • Dr Allan J. S. Watson (Elected 1996, Elevated 2008; Chief Lord 2014, 2020, 2024)
  • Ian A. Thompson (Elected 1996, Elevated 2008; Chief Lord 2021, 2025)
  • David P. Mooney (Elected 1996, Elevated 2008; Chief Lord 2015, 2022)
  • William Taylor (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)
  • Peter Firth (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)
  • Richard S. Witty (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)
  • Christopher J. Thomas (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)
  • Diane L. Davison (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)
  • Simone C. Wilkinson (Elected 2008, Elevated 2020)

The Assistants (11 Members, all elected 2021)

  • Martyn B. Coltman, Liam N. Dealtry, Andrew A. Smith, Gillian E. Andrews, Laurence W. Dixon, Rachel K. Firth, Stephen W. Stanton, Joy A. Verda, Ross C. Gunning, Carol A. S. French, and Phyllis H. Foster

The Chief Lord rotates annually among the elevated Lords, elected on February 2nd each year. Day-to-day management is handled by the Clerk to the Lords Feoffees and a small staff team. No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations:

Submit a written request (by post or email) including:

  • Organization name and legal status (charity, CIC, sports club, etc.)
  • Contact details and address
  • Background on governance structure
  • Clear explanation of why you're seeking support from the Lords Feoffees
  • Description of how your organization benefits Bridlington
  • Specific amount requested
  • Detailed breakdown of how funding will be spent, with supplier quotations
  • Information about other fundraising efforts undertaken or planned

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.

For Individuals:

Download and complete dedicated application forms from the website:

  • Form for individuals aged 16 or over
  • Separate form for applications on behalf of dependents under 16

For Scholarships:

  • Applications open in April each year
  • Download form from website and submit by July deadline
  • Selection based on application form and interview
  • Assessed on academic ability, commitment to work, and financial need

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. The organization operates on a rolling basis for organizational grants, suggesting applications are reviewed as received rather than in batches. For scholarships, decisions are communicated after the July deadline for the following academic year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The organization's 2024 financial statements show £578,528 in charitable expenditure, suggesting significant grant-making capacity relative to a local geographic area.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are mentioned. The rolling application system and absence of stated waiting periods suggests unsuccessful applicants can reapply, particularly if circumstances or project details have changed.

Application Success Factors

Recent Funding Examples

Understanding what the Lords Feoffees have recently funded provides insight into priorities:

  • £50,000 to IntoUniversity for a new centre supporting disadvantaged youth aged 7-18
  • £6,000 to Martongate Primary School for playground markings
  • £3,950 to Headlands ARC for therapeutic classroom furniture
  • £1,860 to Run With It for Match Day Takeover sessions at Bridlington FC
  • £1,215 to East Coast Majorettes for Emmanuel Church Hall rental
  • £948.98 to Bridlington 3Bs WI for IT equipment and software
  • £246 to Techy Tea CIC for team uniforms

The range demonstrates flexibility from small equipment purchases to major capital investments.

Key Success Factors

Demonstrate Local Benefit: Every application must clearly articulate how the project benefits Bridlington and its residents. The charity's 1636 founding mandate is specific and non-negotiable.

Show Community Reach: Projects serving multiple age groups, addressing disadvantage, or filling service gaps appear particularly successful (e.g., IntoUniversity, schools, sports clubs for all ages).

Provide Detailed Budgets: Applications require specific costings with supplier quotations. Vague or unsubstantiated requests are unlikely to succeed.

Evidence Other Fundraising: Demonstrating broader fundraising efforts shows commitment and that Lords Feoffees funding will complement rather than replace community effort.

Support Volunteer Infrastructure: Multiple grants fund coaching qualifications, training spaces, and volunteer support (e.g., tennis club coaching training, sports tournament attendance).

Equipment Over Ongoing Costs: Many successful grants purchase tangible assets (minibuses, IT equipment, kits, furniture) rather than funding recurring operational expenses.

Scholarship Success Factors

Scholarship recipients emphasize the funding helps with specific costs like travel and equipment. One scholar noted: “It has taken away the worries of being able to afford all of the travel costs and allowed me to invest in my education through computers.”

Successful scholars must demonstrate:

  • Academic ability and commitment
  • Financial need
  • Clear educational goals
  • Willingness to provide regular progress updates (minimum three times yearly)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is absolute: Only applications demonstrating clear benefit to Bridlington will be considered. Do not apply if your primary beneficiaries are outside Bridlington.
  • Rolling applications favor the prepared: With no fixed deadlines, having a well-prepared application ready means you can submit when your need is greatest. Complete applications with quotes and detailed budgets will be processed more efficiently.
  • Scale your request appropriately: Recent grants range from under £250 to £50,000. The charity has capacity for both small equipment purchases and substantial capital projects. Match your request to realistic project needs with proper justification.
  • Long-term commitment valued: Organizations that have established track records in Bridlington and demonstrate sustainable benefit appear favored. The charity takes a multi-generational view given its 400-year history.
  • Equipment and capital preferred: Tangible purchases (vehicles, equipment, facilities) feature prominently in funded projects. Consider framing requests around specific capital needs rather than general operating support.
  • Youth and education are strategic priorities: From school funding to university scholarships to youth sports and services, investing in Bridlington's young people aligns strongly with the charity's mission.
  • Build relationships through transparency: The rolling application system and local staff presence suggest opportunities for dialogue. Consider reaching out with questions before submitting a full application, and provide the detailed information requested upfront to demonstrate professionalism.

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