A Mrs Longstaffe of York died around 1713 leaving £200 in her will to provide for poor relief in the Parish of Bentham. These funds became known as. ‘Longstaffe’s Charity’.

In 1725 Thomas Baynes left property in his will, and in 1738 his widow, Isabel added to this; the income generated was to be used to provide education for poor children in the parish. At a public meeting in Bentham held on 16th November 1870, it was decided that the Longstaffe’s Charity would thereafter divert its income to ‘educational purposes’.

In 1933 Longstaffe’s Charity became Longstaffe’s Educational Foundation.

The Charity Deed currently restricts the trustees to use the income of the Foundation to promote the education of persons under 25 years of age who attend or have attended a primary school in Bentham Parish.
 

Chairman: Nick Armstrong, 4 Butterbergh, High Bentham, nr. Lancaster, North Yorkshire, LA2 7FG
Secretary: Mrs Liz Lister, Crosslands, 14 Springfield, High Bentham, nr. Lancaster, North Yorkshire, LA2 7BA

Email: Liz_hurtley@hotmail.com