The Trowbridge-based C.N.W. Blair Charity was founded in 1952 following the death the previous year of Stallard Street resident Cecil Blair. Mr Blair was the son of a local coal merchant: after succeeding his father in the business, he sold up to invest the proceeds in a confectioner’s and tobacconist’s shop in Stallard Street. He also served with the British Army in India in the Great War, and was a keen cricketer in his spare time. Upon his death at the age of 57, and a childless widower, Mr. Blair had bequeathed the sum of £20,000 (the equivalent of over £605,000 today), to be invested and the income applied for the ‘poor of Trowbridge’.

After having been unable to do so in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year the C.N.W. Blair charity will be distributing vouchers for Christmas at the Guide Hut in Park Road, Trowbridge on Friday December 3rd, between 2.00 and 4.00pm. The charity’s trustees will, on the day, issue a £20.00 voucher (one per household) to residents of Trowbridge (not including surrounding towns and villages). Please note that no vouchers will be able to be issued outside of this timeslot

To be eligible to receive a voucher, you must be a resident of the town, living in one of the streets on the list that will be displayed at the Guide Hut on the day. Additionally, you must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits, and be able to provide proof of both benefit receipt and your address:

Income Support
Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-Based Employment Support Allowance
Universal Credit
Guaranteed Pension Credit

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you will need to print out and bring with you the most recent statement provided by the DWP, or a letter from Trowbridge Job Centre. Alternatively, bring either your smartphone or a very recent bank statement to show that you are in receipt of one or more of the above benefits.

(Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, those attending the Guide Hut are advised to wear a face covering if possible, and to observe social distancing measures.)