Seven gathered to learn about Local Philanthropists (a philanthropist being a person who helps the Poor, especially by giving them money), introduced by one member.
Another gave a potted history of local donors going back to the 1600’s. Elizabeth 1st introduced the Poor Relief Laws that every town must support the poor. One Lady’s legacy said the money was to be invested & the interest used rather than just handing out money. 1903 saw ‘Soup and loaves’ distributed in Lawton Street, Congleton. Congleton Workhouse was built on Congleton Inclosure Trust Land in 1810 to 1875, now a Pet food Store in Hightown.
The Inclosure Trust came about when Lord of the Manor, CWJ Shackerly gave the land in 1795 to be leased or let out certain Common or Waste ground – Mosley Moss, Congleton Edge, The Lower Heath, The West Heath, The Brownswold (Astbury Mere area) and The Marsh (FollHollow). So all the worst ground! The Inclosure trust is still going today. The land was sold off for housing in the 1960’s West Heath , Mossley. The last land in Lower Heath was sold off in 2018. The latest figures from HMRC was Dec 2023 Income £136,570 & Expenditure £132,425. Still supporting the Town’s inhabitants 215 years later.
Another member spoke of the William Dean Trust, formed 1994, to enhance the local Environment and provide education for children. The Park, I Bloom, Eco Schools, Trees for Congleton etc have benefited from the rent of Astbury Garden Centre & others.
Another member, on Zoom from Devon, gave a potted history of Dawn Gibbins, CEO of Flowcrete until it was sold in 2010. Dawn was one of very Few Female CEOs in the Building sector. She went on Secret Millionaire in 2009 & supported 3 Charities – Drug dependence, Helping Sex workers & teenage parents. Dawn went on to support various wellbeing activities & Bear Mania 2011.
One of the meeting organisers then spoke about Denise Coates, CEO of Bet365 who lives locally, a very successful Business woman. She is one of the richest women in the UK worth 5.5 billion. She takes her salary in cash (not shares) so she is also one of the highest Tax payers!
The Denise Coates foundation supports mostly larger charities, with £100 million in 2014 – £10 million to University Hospitals Midlands 2020 during Covid, £235 million to the New Vic Theatre 2020 and of course the main donor to our Elizabeth Elmy Wolstenhome statue in Congleton. She was felt to be slightly controversial as the money came from gambling.
We concluded with the thought that today’s philanthropists either want to remain anonymous or be very much in the spotlight. A good evening again.