Selby was one of the core locations for benefits from Leonard Chamberlain's Will. Chamberlain died in 1716.
The Will included support for Protestant Dissenting Ministers in Hull, Cottingham, Bridlington and Selby. Hull Unitarian Church continues to benefit to this day. There were provisions for almshouses in Sutton and Selby. Educational benefits included Selby.
Leonard Chamberlain's will had separate trusts with different sources of income and benefits laid out. In 1960 five sections were merged into one when the Charity Commissioners agreed to this consolidation by the Trustees as the best way to carry out his intentions and to avoid the complex imbalances of income and expenditure needs within the sections.
In addition, Chamberlain was an originating trustee of the Beatrix Bacon Trust in Selby formed in 1699.
His Almshouses in Selby were rebuilt in Millgate in the first half of the nineteenth century. With the consolidation of the scheme, the Almshouses building in Millgate could have been modernised. However, a road widening scheme in Holmes Lane stopped this because the property might have been acquired for that purpose. The local council was co-operative and with its help a site was purchased by the trustees in Darcy Road. It met the requirements that the almshouses should be within easy reach of a shop, be accessible to friends of residents, and where occupants unable to leave could see people active outside.
On 29th September 1970 a visit to the new building in Selby took place. Herbert Pollard, a trustee involved in early negotiations, was present, as was a Mr Wolffe, a representative of the Charity Commissioners, who had offered much guidance. Mr Holmes was Secretary of the Trust.
From unattributed notes for a speech that day.
Adrian Worsfold
Pluralist - Liberal and Thoughtful