About Us
Braided Rivers Community Trust, Ashburton
The Braided Rivers Community Trust was reconstituted from the Ashburton Licensing Trust (ALT) on 12th July 2021. Over recent years the ALT had been transitioning from its traditional activities of operating businesses in the hospitality industry in the Ashburton district, to a model where it operates predominantly as a landlord.
From 2011-2016 ALT sold their hospitality businesses they owned with the exception of the Devon Tavern. BRCT still owns two other properties, who are now leased out to private operators. The profits from the operation/lease of these properties along with other investments are used to make grants in the local community.
With these changes in mind the Braided Rivers Community Trust’s board has been working through a process of looking to the future and has developed Investment and Granting policies to support the needs in our community.
The broad strategy is to diversify the Braided Rivers Community Trust’s investment base so that it is no longer so reliant on hospitality property in Ashburton but contains a broader range of investments.
The Trust has begun investing its surplus cash into Equity and Bond investments managed by Jarden.
Braided Rivers Community Trust Properties
- Devon Tavern, 116 Victoria Street, Ashburton
- Tinwald Tavern, 103-107 Archibald Street, Ashburton (private operators)
- Speights Alehouse, 245 Burnett Street, Ashburton (private operators, closed until further notice)
Somerset Ashburton Trust
In 2007 BRCT (formally the ALT board) set up a charitable trust, (SAT), which would ensure significant grants could be made in the future.
BRCT has ‘control’ of SAT through having the ability to appoint Trustees.
- Somerset Ashburton Trust (SAT) owns Somerset House
While BRCT is for the benefit of the Community, it isn’t a registered charity which allows it to undertake activities and make grants to a wider group than if it were. BRCT, is still the main entity which owns the majority of the group assets, excluding Somerset House.
Ashburton Benevolent Trust
In late 2022, BRCT took over the ABT's administration services from Croy’s Ltd, which had provided these services since 1998. Over the past 16 years, Wendy Severins managed ABT's secretarial services, however due to her retirement, Angela Trott currently manages these roles, also acting as its treasurer. Angela will continue to work with the three residing Trustees, Jackie Girvan, Anne Fleming, and Stephen Millichamp, while Croy's Ltd maintains the annual accounts.
Ashburton Benevolent Trust was formed in 1998 by the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation in response to the increasing demand from a wide range of folk who required assistance with relatively small amounts. A sample of the grants supported may include but are not limited to:
- Assessments of children for learning disabilities
- Helping with cost of special learning tuition
- Optometrist costs
- Dental Treatment fees
- Counselling services
- School uniforms and stationery
- Paying overdue power to avoid cut-off of services
The grant applications are presented at their monthly meetings unless its urgent. ABT’S grants are funded quickly, and payments are made directly to the invoice of the company or business, not to individual applicants.
To apply for a ABT grant please contact Angela Trott, Secretary, at ashbentrust@gmail.com
Grant applications can be found here.
Braided Rivers Community Trust Trustees
The Braided Rivers Community Trust Trustees are made up from six locals, who must be elected every three years. Meetings are presently held on a monthly basis, normally on the third Thursday with a commencement time of 4:30pm.
If elected to the Trust you will also automatically (unless you decline to do so) become involved with the Lion Foundation’s Regional Grants Committee (RGC). The Lion Foundation Regional Grants Committee ensures that all profits derived from the proceeds of Lion Foundation gaming machines operated in the Mid Canterbury area are made to the various organisations, clubs events etc in accordance with the Lion Foundation 2008 Trust deed and RGC Committee policy but always subject to Government policy as specified in the Gambling Act 2003. No fees are paid to members for their contributions to RGC activities.