Vernon & Bourne Trust

Shrawley has gained over the years from a number of benefactors, some providing physical assets within the village whilst others have endowed charities, at least one going back almost 300 years.

 Their aim was the relief of the poor who were then found extensively within the community.   In the early 1970’s there remained four such charities; The Charity of Thomas Vernon, Thomas Vernon’s Educational Foundation, The Charity of Jane Bourne and the Charity of the Reverend Edward Burlton.  Thomas Vernon was a very successful Chancery lawyer as well as being MP for Worcester at the time of his death in 1721.  He inherited and then developed what is now Hanbury Hall (owned by the National Trust) whilst in 1700 he acquired the Manor of Shrawley including the woods for a reputed £13,000.  

Shrawley remained an important Vernon possession through to modern times, with an heir to the last member of the family living in Wood House until her death in 1980.  Miss Jane August Bourne was the last surviving of three children, none of whom married, of William Bourne, died 1831, and Mary, died 1847.  The family residence was Shrawley Court (also known as Court Farm) and the charity was founded following her death in 1856 aged 63.In 1977 Canon Barnish, then Rector of St Mary’s, along with his fellow Trustees brought together these four charities to form the Vernon and Bourne Charity.

 The assets are invested in in the COIF Charities Investment Fund administered by CCLA Investment Management Ltd.  They currently produce an annual income approaching £2,000.  Under the terms of the Charity, the Trustees are able to provide help to two categories of applicant who must be resident in the Parish of Shrawley at the time the awards are determined: grants towards the purchase of fuel or to help in the payment of household bills where there is a special and definite need.  This is open to all residents of the village and not limited to those on a pension. assistance is also available for students in further education to help purchase books, tools of their trade and similar.  Students can make up to 3 annual applications.  

Applications are normally invited by 1st November each year for consideration at a meeting later in the month.  The value of any award is dependent on how many successful applications there are and cannot be guaranteed year on year.  Any information provided is treated in the strictest confidence and made available only to the Trustees.Make a Grant Application​IMPORTANT NOTE:​All applicants must be resident in the parish of Shrawley. Any information supplied will be treated in strictest confidence by the Trustees of the Charity.