Heyshott Charities.
 
The charities are operated by the Rector of Heyshott and his churchwardens, whose work it is to divide and distribute the gifts to the elderly of the village, and £100 is kept for use in an emergency should it arise. One of the conditions is that the old age pensioners should have lived in the village for two years before receiving entitlement.
 
The first charity was that of Dr. John Robinson dated 1897 of £500, for clothing, medical appliances and bedding. This bequest became payable to the parish of Heyshott on the death of Mrs. Gulim, on or before November 1897, and was invested in Government funds in the U.K. and later transferred to the Official Trustees.
 
James Challens charity of 1899. To the rector and churchwardens and their successors. The sum of £1,000 upon trust to invest [Henley Corporation Stock 3%] for aged and infirm, clothing, linen and food. Solicitors Messrs Johnson & Son, Midhurst. In May 1900 it was transferred to the Official Trustees of Charitable Funds. The account was opened in the name of Heyshott Rector and Churchwardens Charity Account. Rector E.W.L. Houndle and churchwardens John Challen and H. Maxwell Wells.
 
In 1905 Henry Mills left £450, which was transferred to the Official Trustees in 1908. Trust funds were left with the power to vary or transpose.
 
These first three charities have books and particulars in written up, but the fourth, that of the McDonald gift, is only just mentioned at the end of one of them. Mrs. McDonald's gift of £50 dated from about 1929 and the interest, was to be given to the District Nursing Association. The Official custodian of Charities handles the investments.
 
The above documents may well be on permanent loan in the County Archives at Chichester.
 
It is truly wonderful to know that people who lived and worked in Heyshott cared for the elderly folk and remembered them in a way which is one of human nature's kindnesses.