Roger Dade bequeathed 3 acres of land in 1596, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Shelfanger. The Land, known as the Old Town Land, is situated adjacent to the present allotments, opposite the Methodist Chapel on the Winfarthing Road.
Miss Sarah Franklin bequeathed in her will dated 1703, £100 to buy land for the benefit of the poor. She asked that the income be spent to provide bread for the poor of the parish "every Lord's Day in the year for ever". Two pieces of land were bought in 1737. The Freeboard Land, of 2 acres, (situated opposite Hill Cottages, Heywood Road) was bought for £37. The New Town Land, of 4 acres (situated as shown on the map below) was bought for £63.
In 1889 the Charity Commissioners established a scheme for the two charities, under the title of The Shelfanger Charities, and the giving of bread each Sunday ceased.
Five trustees now administer the charities, the rent is collected in November from villagers who have allotments and Messrs Boult and Morley who farm the remainder. The trustees then decide how the income should be distributed.
©1984 members of Shelfanger WI