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July 2022 July 2022

THE THOMAS WILLIAMS EDUCATIONAL DORSET TRADING STANDARDS
FOUNDATION TRUST
Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service check and
approve businesses so you don’t have to.
Nowadays, we generally refer to it simply as “The Williams Trust” and many are
aware that it makes financial contributions towards the education of young For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or
people in the Parish, especially in cases of greatest need. call 08454 040506.
To report or seek advice about problems you have
But who was Thomas, and what exactly does the Trust aim to do now? experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506.

The Start Dorset Trading Standards are working in partnership with the England Illegal
Money Lending Team (IMLT) to warn residents about the dangers of loan sharks.
Fred Pitfield’s researches revealed that Thomas belonged to a branch of the
Williams family based at Herringston, south of Dorchester. Thomas had been in Loan sharks are unregulated, often give cash loans without any paperwork and
business at Morlaix in Brittany and returned to Shitterton House in 1688 where he charge extortionate interest rates. They may offer what appears to be a quick-fix
lived as a bachelor until his death in 1728. In the years 1690 and 1691 he was a small loan, but in the long term, any money borrowed will come at a very high
churchwarden. price and may lead to violence, threats and intimidation.
In 1719 he established the original Trust, which brought into existence the boys’ In most cases, victims are introduced
school at Barrow Hill and provided for the education of a number of poor children to the lender either through a friend,
from the Parish. In the County Archives we can see a hand written extract from family member or work colleague.
the Charity Commissioners’ Report made in 1835, which details the 1719 Trust - Borrowers believe the loan shark is just
doing them a favour, helping them
“By Indenture of Lease and Release bearing dates 28 & 29 September 1719 out, but the situation can turn nasty
th
th
Thomas Williams granted & released to John Williams, Denis Bond, & John Bond & very quickly if repayments are not
John Wills Vicar of Bere Regis and their heirs, 7 acres of arable land in Bere Field, a met.
dwelling house, orchard and six acres of pasture ground, lying at Rye Hill and
dwelling house garden and orchard with two grounds containing about four The IMLT is a dedicated team of
acres; another house and garden and a cottage at Bugbarrow with half an acre specialists working across the country
of arable land in Bere Field. All the said premises being situate in the Parish of Bere that are leading the fight against
Regis: also a common of pasture for 50 sheep and 10 cows appertaining to the loan sharks. They have helped thousands of people escape the clutches of these
said premises and the tythes of hay of a certain moor on the west side of rush criminals and wiped out nearly £90million worth of illegal debt. They provide a
Mead in the said parish Upon Trust to apply the rents and profits thereof to confidential helpline service for people affected by illegal lending as well as
teaching and clothing six poor children of the parish of Bere Regis as many of information and guidance on how to spot the signs and report the crime.
them as conveniently might be of the tything of Shitterton to be appointed by the
Trustees. And the said donor directed that none of the said children should be It is believed that over a million people in England are currently borrowing from
under the age of seven, nor above fourteen: that they should be taught to read, loan sharks. Borrowers are not in any trouble for accepting a loan from a loan
and to write and to account and also the Church Catechism which they should shark, it is the lender that has committed a criminal offence.
answer in the Church when required; and that all , or as many as conveniently If you are concerned about the activities of an illegal money lender and would
might be should be boys.” like more information, support and advice please call the IMLT helpline on 0300
Members of the Williams and Bond families have continued to be associated with 555 2222 or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live chat is available on the website
the Trust over the centuries, and two serve today as Trustees. Likewise, the vicar of between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
the time has always been a Trustee.
The lands that formed the original assets of the Trust included a house, garden
and orchard at Hollow Oak, to the west of the Bere Stream by Doddings. In 1719,

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