Watts Trust
Financial help for you
The Nicholas Watts Trust is available through the generosity of a wealthy Tavistock man, who created a permanent endowment for the residents of Tavistock. These funds have now been divided into separate funds, the Brownsdon Estate, the Tremayne Estate and an Education & Training Fund.
Tremayne Fund
Brownsdon Fund
Education & Training Fund
So who was Nicholas Watts?
Nicholas Watts lived in Tavistock in the seventeenth century. He was a mercer, which word indicated a dealer in textile fabrics.
Nicholas Watts owned the land on which Watts Road now stands, hence the name, and sites were leased to the builders of the houses there. All these leases have long since fallen in. Other properties were gradually disposed of, so that the holding of the Trust now consists entirely of investments.
It is probable that Watts was involved in the manufacture of “dowlas”, a strong calico for which Tavistock was famous in those days. A clause in his will gave “one hundred yards of strong dowlas to be made up into shirts and smocks” and distributed to the poor people of Tavistock within a year after his decease.
Will & Testament of Nicholas Watts?
In his will, drawn up in 1674, Nicholas Watts was at pains to explain that as a young man he wrote idle, wretched pamphlets in which as he says ‘I stuck not to cast dirt on others for the clearing of myself. It is evident that he had experienced what some people would now call an evangelical conversion, and he now wanted to witness to his newfound faith and make it known to the people of the town. He wanted also, by the distribution among them of his considerable fortune to make amends for the misdeeds of his former days.
He appointed 20 men as his Trustees and after 340 years there are still 20 trustees who endeavour to carry out his wishes as far as they are able.
A copy of his will can be read here.
Tremayne Fund
The Tremayne fund helps people who live in Tavistock. They can be male or female and of any age. The award if sanctioned by the Trustees is for personal use. Last year the amount allocated to each Applicant amounted to £350.00, but this amount may be amended depending on the number of Applicants and their required needs, as only the income of this fund can be distributed.
What are the requirements to apply?
The fund is available to men or women living in the Tavistock area with a weekly disposable income less than £200.
How do I apply?
To apply please click and download the application form below. You will need to enter your current financial details of income and outgoings. The form should then be either emailed to Trust Clerk or posted to their address on the form. All applications will be means tested and a visit will be arranged by a Trustee.
How long does it take?
One the application has been received, the clerk or trustee will be in contact to talk through the application. Any grants given would require two quotations for any funding given. This typically takes around 8 weeks.
Brownsdon
The Brownsdon fund helps men who reside in Devon preference being given to the residents of Tavistock. In the past this fund was used to help owner/occupiers to carry out repairs to their property but latterly owing to the level of applicants, the Trustees have awarded monies for other purposes which have included decorating, purchase of washing machine, carpets, furniture etc. The money awarded by the Trustees is not paid to the Applicant but to the trade’s person or to the person supplying the service. Some of the awards have in the past amounted between £200 to £5,000.
What are the requirements to apply?
The Brownsdon fund helps men who reside in Devon preference being given to the residents of Tavistock.
How do I apply?
To apply please click and download the application form below. You will need to enter your current financial details of income and outgoings. The form should then be either emailed to Trust Clerk or posted to their address on the form. All applications will be means tested and a visit will be arranged by a Trustee.
How long does it take?
One the application has been received, the clerk or trustee will be in contact to talk through the application. Any grants given would require two quotations for any funding given. This typically takes around 8 weeks.
Education or Vocational Training
In addition there is an award of up to £1,500 set aside from the Brownsdon Estate to enable a male resident in Devon who has received their Junior/Senior education in the Tavistock area. This award is to assist with his further education who through hardship or poverty require assistance to further his education or vocational training.
What are the requirements to apply?
The fund is available to enable a male resident in the Tavistock area who has received their Junior/Senior education in the area. This award is to assist with his further education who through hardship or poverty require assistance to further his education or vocational training.
How do I apply?
To apply please click and download the application form below. You will need to enter your current financial details of income and outgoings. The form should then be either emailed to Trust Clerk or posted to their address on the form. All applications will be means tested and a visit will be arranged by a Trustee.
How long does it take?
One the application has been received, the clerk or trustee will be in contact to talk through the application. Any grants given would require two quotations for any funding given. This typically takes around 8 weeks.
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Charity Number: 203271