Congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen on her Jubilee Year - Hartland celebration details: LINK

In 1290 The Dynham family Lords of the Manor of Hartland established a private Borough which existed and operated until 1894.

In 1880 an official inspection established the extent of the responsibilities of the Borough and by 1894 with the setting up of Parish Councils a body of elected ratepayers took on the civic duties to be funded from taxes and rates. A charity was establishes to be called The Town Trust to operate the remnants of the 'Old' Borough. Unfortunately for the Town Trust the small matter of money was overlooked.

The Town Trust held the responsibility for all remaining aspects of the Borough, its lands, properties inc. the Square, Springfield, and other streets, the Town wells and Pumps ( the successors to the Pumps still exist around the Town). The operation of the fairs and markets, keeping the Town Clock, library and reading room and optimistically with any money left over to relieve the poor. The Town trust was also instrumental in the provision of the Street lighting.

The rents and income to the Trust was small, the properties generally in poor condition, therefore over the years it has been inevitable that the sale of properties was undertaken. This proved to be a two edged sword as by the 1950’s the Charity Commission ordered that the proceeds of any sale had to be invested to provide an income for the Trust. This further restricted money available to maintain its obligations and it was not until local government grants became available for the repair of dwellings that the tide turned for the Trust as it enabled the upgrading of the dwellings.

Recently new Charity laws has forced the Trust to become more commercial in the investments it has and the operation of the Trust. So you can see from this brief description the present Trustees can trace their responsibilities back directly to the first grant in 1290.

The operation of the Trust is overseen by seven Trustees, two being representatives of the Parish Council and two persons having particular knowledge of Hartland. They operate under a Charity Commission scheme to maintain the property of the Trust and can provide at their discretion funds for certain projects within the borough. They made funds available to the Primary School to bring a classroom back into use and to complete a library facility. An expensive refurbishment of a cottage has been completed but they have a small amount of funds and are always interested in schemes to further the Borough .

With the restraints placed on local government with regard to the provision of housing, the Trust is actually in a good position to become a vehicle through which social housing could be provided. They were fortunate enough to have been willed a cottage recently and are sure that this kind gift will be of great benefit in the future. The Trust has also purchased a further dwelling and refitted it which is now let. This brings to seven cottages and a garage being let by the Trust. (2011 December)