Member Article

NE Brewers Fund celebrates 20 years of giving

The North East Brewers Fund was established at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland in 1995, following a transfer from an inactive endowment which aimed to compensate pub landlords following a national scheme under the 1904 licensing act.

The Fund retains links to the British Beer and Pub Association and since its transfer 20 years ago, it has awarded over £87,000 to support community activities in in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. To celebrate this achievement Mandy Southall, Regional Operations Director at Punch Taverns and Yousef Doubooni, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Camerons Brewery visited the Holy Cross Church Hall in Ryton who received £5,000 for a kitchen refurbishment.

Mandy Southall, Chair of the Yorkshire Beer and Pub Association and an advisor to the North East Brewers Fund said:

“In an endeavour significantly to reduce the number of licences in England the 1904 Licensing Act meant magistrates could refuse to renew a pub’s licence if it was considered that the pub was unable to provide for the needs of the public. Compensation would be paid both to the owner of the premises and the licensee although, typically, only about 10% of the compensation went to the licensee. This compensation was paid for by a levy on the licences granted to other premises.

“Termed the “Licensed Trade Compensation Fund” it was pretty controversial at the time because it was considered to be drawn hugely in favour of the breweries that owned the premises and it was variously nicknamed the “Brewers’ Endowment Bill” or, mainly by Licensed Trade Associations, the “Mutual Burial Fund”. It accumulated quite a substantial amount of money over the years until its final repeal in 1981 – and it seems that little of the Fund was ever used. It was raised in the various licensing districts of the country and was held by the various regional Brewers’ Associations, one of which was the North East Brewers’ Association. Since there was never going to be any further call on the Fund, it was decided that these dormant funds should be given it to the Community Foundation where they could use their knowledge to support our communities.

“For 20 years the North East Brewers Fund at the Community Foundation has made a difference to organisations such as the Holy Cross Parochial Church Council and we’re delighted to have awarded over £87,000 through our Fund at the Community Foundation.”

Gill Lowing, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at the Community Foundation added:

“Holy Cross Parochial Church Council in Ryton is a real hub of community activity. From a children’s nursery through to boxing club, the church hall is used by many different generations of people in the community. By refurbishing the kitchen we have helped to secure the longevity of the hall and ensure that it can be used for many more years to come.

“This is a wonderful example of how the Fund has helped to make a difference to small groups of people. It has been doing this for 20 years and it’s brilliant to recognise this achievement.”

Joan Shield, Project Co-ordinator at Holy Cross said:

“We’re very grateful to the North East Brewers Fund at the Community Foundation for helping us to refurbish our kitchen facilities. The kitchen is central to all of our activities and potential user groups and before the refurbishment it was a threat to our sustainability. This donation has really helped secure our future and we’re very grateful for this support.”

The North East Brewers Fund seeks to support voluntary and community projects in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The fund is not to be used to support projects with a link to alcohol consumption or for organisations that work exclusively with young people under the age of 18.

For more information about funding opportunities at the Community Foundation please call 0191 222 0945 and ask to speak to one of the Philanthropy Services team.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Lopardo .