Introduction
Our History
The Blunt family lived in Upwell for over 100 years farming land in and around the village. The last generation were a brother and sister, Jim and Edith. Neither child married and as the last surviving member of the family Edith decided to leave her entire estate to be held in trust for the benefit of the residents of Upwell.
In her will Edith listed a number of broad areas that she hoped to support with her legacy. She also gave the Trustees some leeway to include other projects that they felt appropriate and of benefit to the village. These include:
- To help to maintain the village church in Upwell.
- To help with the advancement of education for those people resident in the village of Upwell.
- To help to create, maintain and improve any other facilities within the village of Upwell which may be beneficial to the residents of that village. Including, but not totally, a nature walk within the boundaries of the orchard land attached to “The Hollies”, the old home of the Blunt family.
These benefits could contribute to health, education, community development, the arts, amateur sport, religious or racial harmony, the protection of the environment and animal welfare.
When Dr. Williams was asked to form the Board of Trustees he was keen to get a representation as broad as possible and to include some who had known Edith personally. Tony Davies, the executor of the will and Dr. Williams interviewed all the applicants and settled on a board in total of 7 people who will serve for various lengths of time. There will be an opportunity to refresh the Trustee membership annually at the AGM as one or more posts come up for re-appointment every year. Importantly the Trustees see it as the duty of the Trust that a lump sum is retained to deliver an income to spend supporting residents of Upwell and various village projects.
The Trust achieved charitable status in February 2020 and has been offering to help Upwell residents and organisations since then.
Our History
The Blunt family lived in Upwell for over 100 years farming land in and around the village. The last generation were a brother and sister, Jim and Edith. Neither child married and as the last surviving member of the family Edith decided to leave her entire estate to be held in trust for the benefit of the residents of Upwell.
In her will Edith listed a number of broad areas that she hoped to support with her legacy. She also gave the Trustees some leeway to include other projects that they felt appropriate and of benefit to the village. These include:
- To help to maintain the village church in Upwell.
- To help with the advancement of education for those people resident in the village of Upwell.
- To help to create, maintain and improve any other facilities within the village of Upwell which may be beneficial to the residents of that village. Including, but not totally, a nature walk within the boundaries of the orchard land attached to “The Hollies”, the old home of the Blunt family.
These benefits could contribute to health, education, community development, the arts, amateur sport, religious or racial harmony, the protection of the environment and animal welfare.
When Dr. Williams was asked to form the Board of Trustees he was keen to get a representation as broad as possible and to include some who had known Edith personally. Tony Davies, the executor of the will and Dr. Williams interviewed all the applicants and settled on a board in total of 7 people who will serve for various lengths of time. There will be an opportunity to refresh the Trustee membership annually at the AGM as one or more posts come up for re-appointment every year. Importantly the Trustees see it as the duty of the Trust that a lump sum is retained to deliver an income to spend supporting residents of Upwell and various village projects.
The Trust achieved charitable status in February 2020 and has been offering to help Upwell residents and organisations since then.
The Trustees
Dr Paul Williams, Chairman
Paul became a GP in the village in 1988 and has lived and worked here since that time. He retired from full-time General Practice two years ago and has recently rejoined the Parish Council. He is also the Chair of the Hunter Rowe Trust at the village Health Centre and is a member of the West Norfolk Care Commissioning Group in Kings Lynn.
Ros Shorting
Ros has spent her whole life in the village and is heavily involved in both the Playing Field and Village Hall committees. She sits on the St Peter’s Parochial Church Council and previously worked at Upwell School for over twenty years.
John Richardson, Treasurer
John moved to the village 2010 and was active in the Health Centre Patient Participation Group of which he was the Chairman. He has a background in Graphic Design and Higher Education and has taken over as Treasurer. Tony Davies the previous Treasurer, being the executor of Edith Blunt’s Will has agreed to remain as an advisor to the Trust.
Dr Ian Harding
Ian has lived in Upwell for over 25 years. With a background in Microbiology and the pharmaceutical industry, he runs a pharmaceutical R&D company which specialises in the development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases such as MRSA, Influenza and TB. Beyond work he is a conservationist and a keen angler, often to be found on the Welle Creek.
Mrs Nicola Wilkinson
Nicola qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1979 and now works as a Nurse Practitioner in a GP Surgery. She loves gardening and wildlife moving to the village almost three years ago. She became aware of Miss Blunt’s legacy after researching the area; her house is built on land previously owned by Miss Blunt. She feels as a Trustee of the Blunt Trust privileged to be able to contribute towards upholding Edith Blunt’s legacy to the village.
Ms Teresa Ellington
Mrs Deborah Roberts
The Trustees
Dr Paul Williams, Chairman
Paul became a GP in the village in 1988 and has lived and worked here since that time. He retired from full-time General Practice two years ago and has recently rejoined the Parish Council. He is also the Chair of the Hunter Rowe Trust at the village Health Centre and is a member of the West Norfolk Care Commissioning Group in Kings Lynn.
Charles Martin
Charles has lived and worked in Upwell all his life and was a close neighbour of the Blunt family for many years and knew them well. He has been involved in charity work with the Wisbech Lions and has also served on the Parish Council. His experience in horticulture is invaluable for the development and maintenance of the nature walk.
Ros Shorting
Ros has spent her whole life in the village and is heavily involved in both the Playing Field and Village Hall committees. She sits on the St Peter’s Parochial Church Council and previously worked at Upwell School for over twenty years.
Tony Davies, Treasurer
Tony is the executor of Edith Blunt’s will and is an accountant. He is serving for the first year on the Trustees board to provide continuity and to help oversee the financial side of the trust, he is our first Treasurer.
John Richardson
John moved to the village 2010 and is active in the Health Centre Patient Participation Group of which he is the Chairman. He has a background in Graphic Design and Higher Education and will be taking over as Treasurer when Tony steps down.
Haidee Norman
The Head Teacher at Upwell Academy, Haidee has worked at the school for thirteen years.
Nigel Carter
Nigel has lived in Upwell since 1976 and has been involved in many different clubs in the village, notably he is Chairman and Captain of Upwell Bowls Club. He knew Edith well during her life.