THE PETER NEVILL TRUST

Peter Nevill (ca. 1740 - 1807) was a resident of Riston Parish and a philanthropist who was deeply committed to supporting the local community. Through his generosity, he created a trust for the education of children in the parish and – over two hundred years later – his legacy still continues in the Peter Nevill Trust. His charity awards grants annually to young people of the parish to assist in education and apprenticeship needs.

 

History

 

Following the Inclosure Act of 1773, Peter Nevill was allotted 228 acres of land in the north west of the parish in an area called Coney Garths. He built Nevill Grange – now known as Riston Grange – which is the large house just south of White Cross.

 

In 1785, Peter Nevill gave St. Margaret’s Church a silver chalice – a communion cup – which is still used in Communion Services today.

 

But Peter Nevill is best remembered for his endowment of the educational charity which we know today as the Peter Nevill Trust. By a Deed of Gift in 1807, he placed certain land and property in the village in trust; the income from which was to be used for the education of poor children in the parish.

 

A board still hangs in the vestry of St. Margaret’s Church and records the indenture as follows:

 

Mr Peter Nevill by a Deed of Gift executed the 6th day of April 1807 conveyed in trust to the Rector and Church wardens and their successors for ever, certain cottages and premises of Riston the rents of which were to be applied, First in keeping the same in good repair, the residue to be applied, in defraying the expences of the education of such a number of the poor children of persons for the time inhabiting and legally settled in the parish, or of such poor orphan children as are legally settled in the same as Rector and Churchwardens shall appoint.

 

Fletcher’s Charity

 

The parish had one other charity: Fletcher’s Charity. This was established in 1879 under the will of Mrs. Frances Fletcher, the widow of Revd. JG Fletcher who had been Curate of Long Riston. She left £100 for the incumbent of Long Riston to administer; the income of which was to be used ‘in the purchase of coals to be distributed yearly at Christmas amongst the poor of the said parish of Riston’.

 

Because the interest from the stock was so meagre, the incumbent during the 1980s was granted permission by the Charities Commission to incorporate the charity within the Peter Nevill Trust.

 

The Peter Nevill Trust Today

 

The Peter Nevill Trust is still going strong and continues to grant educational awards every year. Its assets were reviewed and reordered as stock just after the mid 20th Century. The Trust is regulated by The Charity Commission, charity number 506325 and is recorded with the Charities Commission as the Charity of Peter Nevill

 

There are five trustees who manage and administer the charity, including the incumbent vicar, two “Nominative Trustees” – appointed by Riston Parish Council – and two “Co-optative Trustees” –residents of the parish. The Trust continues Peter Nevill’s charitable endeavours by supporting the school each year, helping children’s organisations in the parish and by providing grants to young people going on to further education and apprenticeships.

 

How to Apply to the Peter Nevill Trust

 

Applications can be made each year during the period typically from August bank holiday to mid-October. Dates will be notified on the Riston Parish Council website and will be published in The Newsletter.

 

The application form for a Young Person’s Grant can be downloaded here. Application form {pdf}  The form can be copied and shared as many times as you need. Alternatively, a request for the form can be sent to peternevilltrust@gmail.com. The applicant must be under 25 years old, currently live in Riston Parish and have done so for at least two years.

 

Applications from organisations should be made by letter.

 

Applications for 2025

 

The 2025 application period is now open. Applications must be received by 13th October 2025.

Please submit your application to peternevilltrust@gmail.com. You can submit a paper copy to the nominated Trustee given in The Newsletter and on the application form. For 2025 submissions this is:

 

Mrs Tina Hammond

3 Holderness Cottages

Arnold Lane West

Arnold