Askrigg Foundation

Foundation trustees, back row, left to right, Elizabeth Guy, Peter Nimmins, David Hodgson, Richard Cooper, Ann Chapman. Front row (Karen Prudden, foundation secretary) Tivoli Wallington, Nigel Chorley

The primary role of the Askrigg Foundation, formed exactly 40 years ago by then vicar of Askrigg, Malcolm Stonestreet,  is to provide administrative support to the clergy and parochial church councils (PCCs) of the four churches they serve – Askrigg, Stalling Busk, Hawes and Hardraw. But there’s a lot more to it than that: alongside its work supporting the church, the Foundation also raises funds for its bursary account which allows young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, many from inner city areas in the north, and some with physical or mental disabilities, to attend the Low Mill Outdoor Centre where they can benefit from a range of experiences. In addition to an annual bursary allocation, the Foundation also supports the Extended Schools Project run by Low Mill, allowing the centre to offer reduced-cost activity sessions to children from the local schools.
Malcolm Stonestreet was an active fundraiser with a high profile in both the local area and further afield. It was through his huge fundraising efforts that the charity was able to buy the Market Place property in use today, ‘Skeldale House’ next door, and the Low Mill Outdoor Centre. But both ‘Skeldale’ and Low Mill were eventually sold, and the latter is now an independent charity. The money raised by Malcolm, plus any additional fundraising, forms the basis of the bursary fund. In the current economic climate, applications for bursaries are increasing every year and it is extremely difficult to find sufficient funding to support them all.
Says Nigel Chorley, chairman of the Foundation: “There’s a misconception that the Foundation owns a lot of property and is therefore very wealthy. In fact it now owns only the Market Place property and the rental income from the shops pays for the admin and secretarial work. The bursary funds are invested separately and used purely for that purpose. We hope the Foundation will be seen as a key part of the local community, providing a valuable service and support, particularly during these difficult financial times.”
For many years, the Foundation supported the work of Askind Limited, a small company that operated as a village shop and post office, providing a service and local employment to the community.  When that business ceased to be viable it became the home of Periwinkle florists and has now been taken over by Jo Benbow as she expands her Village Kitchen enterprise to include the gift shop. Next Door. The trustees are very excited about Jo expanding her existing business and believe she will provide a very useful and successful service to the community and visitors alike. We hope everyone will support her.

Karen Prudden