Axbridge Town Trust

History

The Axbridge Town Trust was created by the Charity Commissioners in 1889, defining its objectives and listing the assets to be held by the Trustees.

The Trust manages the remaining assets of the former Incorporated Borough of Axbridge, which was created under Royal Charter in 1557. Prior to that Axbridge had flourished as a busy market town since it became a burh (a fortified place) under King Alfred the Great. Axbridge lost this corporate status under “The Municipal Corporations Act, 1883” which sought to eliminate small boroughs from having responsibility for civil and criminal jurisdiction, exclusive rights regarding trading, jury exemptions and various other ancient privileges.

Over 60 Trusts were created between 1883 and 1899 of which Axbridge and around 5 others remain intact with unamended constitutions.

Assets

Axbridge Town Trust retains many of the assets it was given over a century ago. Major assets include rights over The Square and its administration, the Town Hall, certain smaller properties and pieces of land and various artefacts. Some of the artefacts are managed by other bodies on behalf of the Trust. These include the local museum (King John’s Hunting Lodge) and the Somerset Record Office, now located in the Somerset Heritage Centre.

Meetings & Contact

The Axbridge Town Trust meets on the first Monday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October and December) to manage its properties and to preserve, and facilitate use of, the heritage artefacts it has inherited.

Meetings are held in private but any matters falling within their scope of responsibilities can be raised directly with any of the Trustees, or through the Clerk.

Any issues or topics that need to be raised at a Town Trust meeting should be discussed with a Trustee (see Trustees and officers section).