WILLIAM WEBSTER TRUST

Covid-19 Update

We have changed the way we will pay any future William Webster grant. Grants will no longer be paid to you in person at Oulton Institute, so please do not attend. Instead, we will deliver the cheque to you at your home address. However, please do let us know if you have moved house ​using the details on our contact page.

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What is the William Webster Trust?

Thanks to the generosity of a man who died nearly 200 years ago, every year widows and apprentices living in Woodlesford and Oulton are offered a small annual grant.

 

The man in question was Mr William Webster who is believed to have been a clergyman. Mr Webster died in 1824 and left a large amount of money in trust with instructions that the interest be paid out to people living in the area who met some simple qualifying criteria: either they had to be widowed in the area and still living there or they had to be an apprentice from a local family.

 

All these years on, the trustees are still following Mr Webster’s wishes and make annual payments to people who qualify. Click here to find out whether you qualify for the grant as a widow or an apprentice.

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Nowadays, as there are relatively few apprentices, the grant is open to young people studying for a trade, doing a modern apprenticeship or in higher education.

 

Anybody who thinks they qualify for a grant can apply by completing an application form. You can print off an application form from this website or collect one from the Londis store at Beechwood.

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So if you know any local widows or apprentices, encourage them to apply. It is what Mr Webster would have wanted.

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