Our Story
Who are we?
The origins of the two Trusts go back to the setting up of a Charity School in Blewbury at the very beginning of the 18th Century when William Malthus, a Reading based merchant who had been born in Blewbury in 1658, died in November 1700.
He left the residue of his estate (some £9776 at that time) in trust to be invested in property and the income to be used to finance sending 10 boys to Reading Bluecoat school, to establish a Charity School in Blewbury and to help any “needy” villagers of Blewbury.
Whilst it took until 1708 to administer his estate and find suitable property to purchase, the Charity School in Blewbury was finally opened on 25 March 1707, using a property rented for this purpose at £2 pa. The first schoolmaster was paid £12 pa, the first schoolmistress paid £10 pa. In addition, the children attending were paid £1 pa (at the rate of 1d per day for the 6 day/40 week school year). This was to ensure regular attendance since if they didn’t attend they weren’t paid! The sum of £26 pa was also to be paid to the 10 poorest families in the village on a weekly basis.
Over the centuries the fortunes of the school ebbed and flowed with additional buildings being added as numbers increased but there were regular arguments as to how much of the Income should fund the Bluecoat boys and how much should be directed towards the Blewbury school and village. It wasn’t until 1984 when the funds were finally divided that Blewbury gained its autonomy and The Malthus Trust as we know it today came into being.
OUR AIMS
The Trust Deed dated 1984 provides for the following:
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Providing grants to Blewbury PreSchool and Blewbury Primary School,
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Providing grants to any Blewbury based resident under 25 to assist them with their education, including apprenticeships,
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Helping those in need at any stage in their life.
In addition, as owners of the PreSchool building, the Trustees have an obligation to keep the structure well maintained.
OUR FUTURE
It is the intention of the Trustees to continue to manage the Trust’s assets conservatively in order to maintain their value where possible and, also, to produce an income to continue ongoing financial assistance to all groups of Blewbury residents who fall within the provisions of the Trust Deed.
Our Vision
Empowering Youth
Our mission is to enhance educational access and opportunities for local individuals under the age of 25. We focus on creating pathways to success through grants and resources.
Building Futures
We strive to empower young minds by providing financial support for educational endeavors that foster personal and professional growth.
Inspiring Change
Our goal is to inspire change within our community by investing in the educational journeys of our youth, creating a ripple effect of positive impact.
Equity in Education
We are committed to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has access to the education and opportunities they deserve.
Creating Opportunities
Together, we create opportunities for local youth to pursue their dreams and reach their fullest potential.
Voices