Major Grants
In the past, the John Bristow and Thomas Mason Trust (JB&TMT), and its predecessor the Thomas Alexander Mason Trust, have supported the following projects:
St Nicholas’ Church
Multiple grants have been given for this important Norman Grade 1 listed building to enable comprehensive repairs to the stonework, tower, roof, windows and walls. The Trust previously pledged £120,000 to help fund the church extension and more recently match-funded £60,000 for the major re-wiring and lighting project. The Trust also helps fund annual churchyard maintenance. 
The Withey
The Withey has been provided as a recreation area for Hookwood. This piece of land in the centre of Hookwood was acquired in 1987 and landscaped by the Trust; it is leased to the Parish Council which has responsibility for its maintenance. Grants of over £100,000, including the original purchase cost, have been provided by the Trust in relation to various costs. 
Hookwood Memorial Hall
Grants in excess of £100,000 were given to the Hookwood Memorial Hall Trust to help towards building the new hall, opened in June 2001, and for subsequent initiatives. The land for the hall is leased for 125 years and was provided free. 
The Millennium Field
This 2 acre field adjacent to the Charlwood Recreation Ground was purchased at the suggestion of the Charlwood Millennium Committee, leased to the Parish Council and opened to the public in 2000. Much work has been done on landscaping the field and management of the trees. A further grant enabled the field to be drained prior to the installation of new children’s play equipment. Grants, including the purchase cost, have topped £100,000 since the original idea. |
Charlwood Parish Council
Grants were given in the 1980’s for the modernisation of the old sports pavilion on the Recreation Ground, and for the provision of play equipment and safety surfaces and crucial drainage work. The Trust also funded subsequent play equipment initiatives and supported many wider projects for the provision of footways, village notice boards, and towards the cost of the village sign. More recently, the Trust provided grants of £150,000 as the major sponsor of the new Charlwood Sports and Community Centre which was unveiled in 2016. 
Charlwood Parish Hall
Grants of more than £70,000 have previously been given to help with external repairs, damp proofing, new flooring, redecoration, heating, new stage curtains and rails, provision of a disabled toilet and disabled ramp, and with repairs to the cottage. 
Education
More than £200,000 has been provided to support educational grants. The Trust has been a strong supporter of Charlwood Primary School over many years with grants provided to fund computers and general classroom equipment, swimming programmes and teaching support as well as more substantial projects such as the library initiative, classroom development and modernisation, an external class workshop and an extension to the all-weather surface. The Trust pledges funds to local playgroups and has actively worked with Charlwood Pre-School on several initiatives. Venture Week has been supported for many years and the Trust actively invites grant applications from local students pursuing further education across a broad spectrum of colleges and universities. |
Woodland
Grants of more than £70,000 have been given to the Woodland Trust to enable it to purchase, and open for public enjoyment, over 120 acres of woodland. Grants made from 1983 to 1992 enabled them to buy a large part of Glovers Wood (a site of special scientific interest) and all of Edolphs Copse. A grant in 1986 enabled the removal of an ugly barn in Edolphs Copse. 
Lowfield Heath Windmill
More than £50,000 was given for the rescue of the dilapidated mill which was in danger of demolition, restoring it and rebuilding it on a new site in Charlwood. The Trust has also supported subsequent maintenance and incidental costs. 
Lowfield Heath Church
More than £60,000 of funds have been provided over time to support extensive repairs to the church of St Michael and All Angels (listed grade 2*). 
Bristow’s Cottage and Charity Field
The historic cottage is a longstanding asset of the Trust and was repaired and renovated in 2000 and 2001 at a cost of more than £130,000 and is rented out to help with upkeep and maintenance. The Trust supports ongoing maintenance and associated costs. |
