This web page is devoted to the setting up of a group to take what remains of the 1914 Anson bequest into the 21st century with the help and participation of the residents of Marcham.
The Anson Sisters (Miss L F and Miss A Anson) donated land and several properties in the village of Marcham in Oxfordshire, England. They set up the trust for "The Benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Marcham and the neighbourhood thereof" on 7th August 1914. Marcham has benefited from the Anson Trust for nearly a century now. The current trustees who operate as a private charity and limited company now face major financial problems.
Looking forward to the future, the trustees have limited options. In a public meeting in October 2009 they explained their current position and the choices left to them. They then produced a document detailing their options for the future of the trust which they published in early 2010 (available here in PDF format). The Anson Trust then called a meeting in March 2010, presenting the options. At this meeting some alternative approaches were suggested and the setting up of a community group seemed the best way to investigate these alternatives. The aim of a new community group is to identify and carry forward a solution for the Institute and Anson Field that would be acceptable to the majority of the village.
The Anson Trust have agreed to work with the village to explore a viable alternative to the limited options forced on them as a registered private charity. Their time to consider alternative options is fast running out due to their dwindling finances. This is our last chance to shape the future of this village and it will need help and support from the whole community if it is to work. It is important that you make contact now if you want a different solution from those already considered by the Anson Trust. There will be plenty of opportunities to take a leading or supporting role in a yet to be constituted community group to determine the future shape of the village. This can only happen with your active support however limited.
Please email mcg1@scilutions.co.uk
to be added to an email circulation list which will keep you updated about
future group meetings and progress towards a community solution for Marcham.
Neighbours around the field (NAF) support the setting up of a community group in the hope that a way will be found to provide the facilities that Marcham needs without it being necessary to sell part of the Anson Field for development. (If you were looking for the NAF web pages, these can now be found here).