History of the Trust
Charity that low sweet root from which all earthly virtues shoot.
Charity: universal love: the disposition to think favourably of others and do them good: alms giving a usu. Non-profit-making foundation, institution, or cause, devoted to caring for those in need of help etc...
Bowyers are proud of their unique history and the part it played by our predecessors in fashioning the great war bows that led to the famous English victories of Poitiers, Crecy and Agincourt - names that form the motto of our Company, that together with the three 'flotes' or planes form the basis of our crest and coat of arms, which were granted in 1487/88 with a set of coherent written ordinances. The Company is equally proud of its charitable tradition which is a major element of to-days activities alongside fellowship, support for Archery and the Bowyer's Trade, and its involvement in the governance of the City.
The Company's charitable pedigree is very long dating back to Mediaeval times when support was given to families of members of the trade who had become impoverished. This tradition survived for a long time for example in 1919 when the Court approved a grant to Mrs Brodie Smith the daughter of a past master who had fallen on hard times as a result of illness. Similarly an annuity was given to Mrs Mary Ann Smith the widow of a Company member. To-day the Company has an Almoner who among his other duties keeps in touch with members of the Company and their families in the event of sickness.
In 1625 James Wood a past Master of the Company became the Company's most significant benefactor for under his will he provided funds for the poor of the Parish of St Nicholas Cole Abbey and there are frequent references in the minutes of significant dispersements under the bequest until it was necessary to wind up the scheme in the 1980s. He also established a series of exhibitions for scholars going to Oxford and Cambridge, whilst the value of these exhibitions reduced over the years "doles" for this purpose were given until well into the 20th Century. It is noteworthy that in 1901 Miss Jessie Noakes was granted an exhibition to study at Somerville College Oxford. To continue this tradition plans are in hand to establish a link with King's College London to provide a post graduate and undergraduate prize in medieval studies, but funds will be provided from the Company's General Fund.
The source of the funds was the revenue and eventual sale of James Wood's Manor at Islay Walton and over the years the Company donated funds to the poor of Islay Walton and provided support to the School Teacher. Donations were also made made to the Church and its Organ. This activity continued into the 1990s when another donation was made to the organ fund.
Financial support was given to other educational activities associated with the City. In 1881 a donation of 100gns be given to the "City & Guilds" of London Institute for the advancement of technical education. This sum was topped up from time to time. Senior members of the Company are involved in the governance of Central Foundations Girls School in Bow and are also trustees of the Central Foundation Schools of London. Donations are also made from time to time to the City of London Girls School and other educational projects.
1879 saw the beginning of the Company donating funds to hospitals in London with a donation of 10 guineas to the London and Charing Cross Hospital. Over the years similar funds were donated to the London Hospital for nervous diseases, Miss Wardell's Convalescent Home for Scarlet Fever, Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital, the Farringdon General Dispensary, the East London Hospital for Children, Shadwell, St Thomas Hospital, the Home for Confirmed Invalids.
The Company's support for the Lord Mayor's appeals started in1877 when funds were given to alleviate a famine in India followed by donations to support the London Agricultural Exhibition and the fund for the relief of distress in the West Indian Islands caused by a hurricane. Similarly the Company initiated in the early in the 20th Century donations to the Treloar Fund for Christmas Hampers for little "cripples". The Company continues the tradition with donations to Treloar's school and college. Particularly in providing funds for archery equipment.
In 1882 the Company began its support for the armed forces with a donation of 25 guineas voted to support rifle shooting in the Army. This support continued until the Great War and eventually a silver cup was presented. The Company supports the armed forces to-day through its affiliations with HMS Northumberland and the Mercian Regiment. Donations are made to the Poppy Day Appeal, the Royal British Legion and the Officers' Association.
During the first world war the Company made donations to a wide range of charities such as the Blinded Soldiers and Sailors fund, and the Indian Soldiers Fund, the Waterloo Station Buffet for Soldiers, Employment of Ex Soldiers Fund, Endell Street Military Hospital and Donations to the Church Army. The Company continues to support those involved in armed conflict with the making of donations to St Dunstan's and the British Legion. To-day the Almoner writes to the next of kin of those service men from the Company's affiliated units who die on operations.
Our Charitable Activities Today
The Bowyers Charitable Trust, registered number 270702, is run on a day to day basis by the Charity Sub-Committee but the Trustees are the Master, Upper Warden and the Renter Warden at any one time.
The governing document is the Deed of Trust dated the 4th April 1974 which it states the charitable objects of the fund to be:- "The trustees shall hold the said yearly sums upon trust and shall apply and distribute the same solely for such charitable purposes as the company from time to time direct".
A further Trust Deed was executed on the 16th June 1986, as it was thought expedient to make provision for the continued regulation permanent and establishment of the trust, for the charitable purposes declared in the original deed and the charitable objects declared in the 1974 Trust Deed were also confirmed.
The records of the charitable fund prior to 1992 are limited. After various meetings in 1994 between the trustees and the then Committee Chairman the following "Mission Statement" for the Bowyers' Charitable Trust General Fund was agreed for guidance regarding potential beneficiaries and submitted to the Court on 21st April 1994.
"To raise income from members of the Livery by way of donations, legacies, deeds of covenant and gifts for the purpose of making donations and gifts to support archery related charities:- In particular disabled archers; Lord Mayor and other major City appeals; other areas of need in the community, in particular youth and the elderly".
This guidance was confirmed at the Court Meeting on the 27th November 2007. In summary the overall object of the charity is to raise funds from members of the Livery, by way of donations, legacies, gift aid and gifts for the purpose of making donations and gifts to support archery related charities, in particular, disabled archers; Lord Mayor and other major city appeals; other areas of need in the community, in particular youth and the elderly. The annual income of the Charitable Trust is circa £7000 and gifts are made in accordance with the objects stated above.
In 1999 it was agreed by the Court to establish the Bowyers Charitable Trust Capital Fund for which an alternative guidance mission statement was agreed at the Court Meeting on the 24th January 2008
'To provide for the accumulation of a fund, the income from which will be used for a single charitable purpose closely identified with the Company's history, trade and associations. The beneficiary will be selected annually, or, if considered appropriate by the Trustees, for a defined period of no less than one year.'
The capital fund which currently stands at approximately £45,000 and is that the fund grows until it generates a significant amount of income to support the declared purpose of the fund as given above. The income comes individual donations, transfers of a proportion of the surplus from Company General Funds and fund raising events. The income will be spent on a single charitable purpose, to be considered no more regularly than on an annual basis, closely identifies with the Company's History, trade and associations with which the Bowyers Company name can be associated.
In addition to the Company giving donations to a range of worthy beneficiaries members of the Company contribute their time to charitable causes in particular senior members of the Company are involved in the governance of the Central Foundation Girls School in Bow. They provide substantial advice on the school estate, finances and latterly catering.
Requests for grants from the Charitable Fund are welcome from any source in line with the objects of the Charitable Fund.
Peter Seaton
Chairman
