Established in 1890 and registered with The Charities Commission and the Almshouse Association, The Parochial Charities exist to provide accommodation for “persons resident in the area of the Parish of Great Shelford . . . at low rents according to their means.”

We have a stock of 32 homes available for rent at More’s Meadow in the village. Purpose built to our design, this development of one, two and three bedroomed properties was opened in 1996 by Betty Boothroyd, Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 2000.

We also own some 10 acres of open land on the edge of village, adjacent to More’s Meadow. One third of this is given over to allotments which are rented out to local people. The remainder comprises two fields, mostly of grassland with footpaths and benches for public use.

We plan to develop further affordable housing on some of this land, while retaining and improving ample green spaces for allotments, recreation and conservation.

The Charities also provide grants and make donations in support of local organisations and good causes.

The Parochial Charities was established in that year by the merging three pre-existing charities, namely:

• Town Lands and Town Houses
• John More’s Charity, founded 1705
• Lettice Martin’s Charity, founded 1562

Charity Commission document from 1890