About the Anson Trust

What are the Trust's aims and vision?

Over the past few years the Trust has been seeking to establish itself on a sounder footing and to improve significantly its contribution to the leisure facilities and social life of Marcham. The first task was to update and modernise the operation and management of the Trust. This was a slow process requiring protracted and detailed discussions and dealings with the Charity Commissioners. The outcome was a revised scheme and the creation of the company which now manages the Trust and has widened the governance of the Trust by introducing additional representation (Directors).

That has been accomplished and the Trust has now set itself on the path of recreating the original Trust in a twenty first century context.

The most promising means of achieving that vision is by creating the facilities on land north of Hyde Copse and funding that by development of the Anson Field and disposal of the Institute site.

What is the financial history of the Anson Trust?

You can view the Anson Trust's accounts from year end 1999 to 2010 online in PDF format by clicking here. Please note that there are two sets of accounts for 2005; one is a continuation of the previous accounts for the original Trust and the other is for the new limited company (Arthur Anson Memorial Trust Ltd). From 2006 onwards, there will be one set of joint accounts, as agreed with the Charity Commission.

If you would like to discuss these accounts please don't hesitate to contact us using the contact details provided on this website.

Why can the Trust not hand over control of the Institute and the Anson Field to the Parish Council and let them run it?

It is extremely unlikely that the Charity Commissioners would allow the Trust to cede ownership of either property to the Parish Council. (See the reply from Christopher Jessel in the Latest News section). It would be possible for the Trust to grant a lease or a licence to the Parish Council for one or both but the Charity Commissioners would require such lease or licence to be on commercial terms.

The Proposals

What are the proposals?

The Anson Trust is in the process of developing proposals to invigorate the village's provision of community facilities. We would like to build new facilities on land to the northern edge of Marcham. This land was decided upon following extensive consultation with professional advisers and local landowners.

A new village hall and playing fields would be built with access via Cow Lane or access leading to Howard Cornish Road. The new playing fields would be to Sport England standard the national advisory body on the types of sports facilities needed by communities in the future and ensuring they would be an improvement on those currently in use.

All of this could be made possible through a residential development on the current Anson Field. These new homes would be sensitively designed to complement the village and the surrounding area.

When will we know what's happening on the Anson field?

The Trust has already outlined its general intention with respect to development of the Anson Field and has received a number of comments, which it will consider carefully. Once the Trust has undertaken its consultation process, it will decide on its way forward.  If the decision is to go ahead with the scheme outlined above, a development partner will be responsible for dealing with planning on the Anson Field. And they will submit plans to the Vale of White Horse District Council for planning consent.

What will happen to the Institute?

In line with the Trust's vision it is expected that the Institute will eventually be disposed of in order to provide part of the funds for the realisation of the Trust’s future facilities. What happens to the site would be dependent upon the wishes of the purchaser and the requirements of the Vale of White Horse District Council, if the purchaser wishes to develop the site.

If development takes place on the Anson Field will this have the effect of ripping the heart out of the village?

The Anson Trust believes that this would not be the case as any new community facilities will still be within walking distance of the village and with so much extra space there is great potential to provide the much improved facilities for the residents of Marcham.

The Anson Field was traditionally located on the outskirts of Marcham and it is only in the last forty years, as the village has grown, that the field has become more central.

How is Marcham different to other villages?

A number of residents have made comparisons with other villages nearby and asked why it is that whilst other parishes can maintain their village halls, Marcham cannot. The answer is that Marcham is unusual and is not like neighbouring villages, in that the arrangements for recreational facilities are not controlled by its Parish Council. As a charity, the Anson Trust is a not-for-profit organisation and is dedicated to providing the best future for Marcham, with the interests of the village at heart. Sometimes, however, the Anson Trust is restricted by the strict controls enforced by the Charity Commission whose requirements ultimately may dictate some of the major decisions of the Trust.

Will villagers still have a green space in the centre of the village?

A half of the Anson Field will be retained as open space so a village green space will be retained on the Anson Field including the existing play area. These will be available for all residents of the village in addition to the proposed community/leisure facilities at the edge of the village.