Forgotten trust fund a timely boost for church, Teesdale Mercury

Forgotten trust fund a timely boost for church

Jan 2, 2007

THE discovery of a church's long-forgotten trust fund has provided a much-welcome boost for its future development plans.

Thanks to astute detective work, £43,000 has been discovered in a trust fund that St Mary's parish church in Barnard Castle, had forgotten about for 60 years.

And that cash will be put towards the £500,000 redevelopment project which will see major improvement to the church's interior.

The money comes from an initial deposit of £1,500, raised through the sale of Bede Kirk farmhouse, on Harmire Road, which had been bequeathed to the church,in 1946.

Barnard Castle police station now stands on the site of the old farmhouse.

Five trustees were appointed to manage the money, but as each died, the money was ‘lost' but accrued interest over the years.

In 1999, the then church treasurer, Keith Miles, began some detective work that led to the discovery of the forgotten cash.

"It took a long time to track down the money and we had to keep on digging." said Mr Miles.

The church council has now decided that the money will be put towards the development fund.

Revd Alec Harding said he was delighted that the appeal has got off to a flying start.

"It is a great start to the new year, knowing that we can look forward to the start of stage one of the redevelopment," he said.