St Luke's, Holy Trinity, and the churchyard
A central part of the Feoffees' role is support connected with the parish church, now St Luke's, alongside the continuing historic connection with Holy Trinity and the churchyard.
About the charity
About the Buckfastleigh Feoffees
The Buckfastleigh Feoffees are a historic local charity serving the ancient parish of Buckfastleigh.
Public name and formal name
Locally, the charity is generally known as the Buckfastleigh Feoffees. On the Charity Commission register it appears under the formal historic name Churchlands or Parish Lands.
Area of benefit
The charity serves the ancient parish of Buckfastleigh. Decisions are made by local trustees with that responsibility in mind.
Historic setting
Holy Trinity, St Luke's, and the churchyard
Holy Trinity was historically the parish church of Buckfastleigh. Following the fire at Holy Trinity on 20 July 1992, St Luke's became the parish church, while Holy Trinity and its churchyard remain closely connected with the Feoffees' historic responsibilities.
What the charity exists to do
Three broad areas of support
Young people and community activity
The charity may also provide limited support for young people and parish residents taking part in activities with educational, charitable, or community value.
Other purposes that benefit Buckfastleigh
Trustees can also support other worthwhile purposes that bring benefit to the parish, always within the objects of the charity and the funds available.
How the Feoffees work
Trustees meeting regularly to consider local needs
The trustees meet regularly to consider applications, review finances and investments, and decide how the charity's resources should be used.
Recent meetings have included support for Buckfastleigh PCC, Holy Trinity-related costs, the Buckfastleigh Community News Sheet, school leavers' book tokens, Little Lambs, the Valiant Soldier, and other local applications considered by the trustees.
A practical and careful approach
Trustees ask for clear figures, a short explanation, and enough information to understand how an award would help.
A charity with a continuing local role
Although the Feoffees have historic roots, they remain an active working charity, combining church support, community funding, and practical local benefit.