About Brixton Feoffee Trust

The word Feoffee is an old English word meaning a gift, usually of land/property (Feoffment) to a charitable Trust.

History

The original Feoffee Charity was set up to distribute its income to the poor of Brixton, whose population of around 200 was scattered over five square miles of the parish in the hamlets and small farming communities which were all linked with the manors.

In the late 1500s, the area was described as:

"Being lands on the East side of the church, including the Higher Tenement and Lower Tenement ……. The rent and profit from the said lands shall - from time to time - be converted and employed for reparation of the church and the relief and maintenance of poor and impotent in the Parish, and defraying other common charges of the Parish".

The Trustees in 1596 represented different areas of the village:

• Thomas Maynard - Church and Parish 
• John Fortescue - Spriddlestone
• John Woods - Hareston
• Walter Hele – Wollaton
• John Frynke - Cofflete
• Elize Towson - Winston (North of the main street, including Venn)
• Robert Wourth - Brixton Reigny
• Philip Forde - Brixton English, South of the main street.

In the earlier years, the Feoffee properties were not just confined to the area within the parish and records show that they included:

• Land at Plympton St. Mary
• Wardscombe
• Modbury
• House and Orchard at Newton Ferrers
• Houses at Silver Bridge

The 'Church Houses', North of the Church, also belonged to the charity and were occasionally let with part of the 'Playing Place' (now known as The Park).  Within The Park a line elms were planted by the Fortescues of Spriddlestone in 1677. An extract from an engraved stone at that time reads "…. when these elms are perfect in growth and sold, lands may be purchased with the money obtained for the relief of the poor of this parish and that posterity, reaping the advantage of our benefaction may be encouraged to provide for more successors by substituting others in the room of these."

Those elm trees have since been replaced by the current horse chestnut trees.

In the late 1800s the charity provided the site - at no cost - for construction of a school beside Old Road. The school was constructed at a cost of £439, of which £400 came out of the charity's funds, with the remaining amount from voluntary subscriptions. Subsequently, in 1906, the Charity Commissioners ruled that no part of the income of the Brixton Feoffee Lands Charity may be used for educational purposes, and this situation remains

Trust Deed

The first known Deed of the Brixton Feoffee Trust (then known as the Brixton Feoffee Lands Charity) is recorded in Latin and was set up over 500 years ago in the early 1400s. It was for an estate near Yealmpton, named Blowden Torr.

Since that time the Board of Trustees have subsequently reviewed the Deed – most recently in July 2019, though its purpose and the application of its income has remained the same.

Today Trust Funds are obtained from investments made through professional investment management services and from the rental properties that Brixton Feoffee Trust own within the village.

The Trust Deed states that the net annual income of the Brixton Feoffee Trust shall be divided as follows:

• One half of the income is given to the Parochial Church Council of St Marys Brixton for the upkeep, repair and insurance against fire of the fabric of the parish church.
• The remaining half of the income used to help parishioners who are experiencing financial hardship or distress through grants or paying for items and services needed to reduce these circumstances.
• If income in any one year is not required for assisting individuals, the Board of Trustees may use this for any charitable purpose for the community of Brixton parish. The Community Car Scheme is funded this way.

Properties

The Brixton Feoffee Trust currently owns and lets three cottages in Old Road. The Trust takes professional advice on all matters pertaining to these properties.

The Park - The Brixton Feoffee Trust also owns the land on the eastern side of the church which is known as The Park and can be accessed via a permissive footpath though the church yard or from Red Lion Hill and Old Road.

The Park is dominated by four horse chestnut trees which  provide a spectacular sight throughout the year and enjoyed by all visitors to The Park. The horse chestnuts replaced the original elm trees that were planted by the Trust in 1677 – see History above

The horse chestnuts trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders and the Board of Trustees ensures that they are regularly inspected by tree surgeons so that they are maintained accordingly. The Board of Trustees also ensure that the grass and planted areas are regularly cut and pruned to keep The Park looking at its best.

The people of the Parish are welcome to enjoy the surroundings of The Park – but the Board of Trustees  ask that visitors ensure  that all dogs are kept on a lead and  on the path only and off the grass itself. Also any fouling by their dog is immediately removed and deposited appropriately.  Likewise any littering is strictly prohibited.

The Board of Trustees are also aware that wedding parties may wish to use The Park for the taking of photographs –  should any bridal party wish to do this then please ensure that our Clerk Sally Axell is informed  (01752 880262 or clerk@brixtonfeoffeetrust.co.uk ) – Please note the use of confetti in The Park is prohibited.