The purpose of the charity (registered number 1187969) is to support children living in the parish of Humbleton and surrounding villages of Flinton & Fitling, with grants when starting primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as those who are completing an apprenticeship or vocational course. It also provides community facilities and open spaces for the village.
Although over 300 years old, the Foundation (also known as Heron's Trust) was registered as a Charitable Integrated Organisation (CIO) on 14 February 2020 and its governing document is dated the same day. It owns the Old School and the Playing Field at the south end of the village and is in the process of creating 6 homes for rent by local people - these should all be ready for occupation by the end of 2022.
The current trustees are Mrs Diana Hoskins, Mr Francis Caley, Mr Chris Brazier, Mrs Marion Riley, Mr Matthew Havler and Miss Freyja Dudley. New trustees are always welcome!
Emails may be sent to herontrustcio@gmail.com.
History
In 1718, Francis Heron left all his houses and lands in Flinton And Sutton Ings to his wife for life, and after her death, he directed that the income should be applied to the education and apprenticing of poor children of the parish. Prior to 1878, the village school was held in the south aisle of the church - a portion of which was partitioned off for the specific purpose. The present Old School and School House were built by Lord Hotham in 1878 and transferred to the trustees of the charity in exchange for the old school (and site) and £400.
The 1878 school closed in 1959 and was then used as a community building until around 2010. The playing field is used by the Humbleton Cricket Club and for recreation, sports and exercise by the villagers. In 2021, the Trustees agreed to convert the school buildings into homes for affordable rent by local people and build two new homes in the same area. This will create some much-needed accommodation for the village as well as generating income for the Trust to use to help young people to reach their potential for many years to come.