ESJ Community Trust

ESJCT Ltd is a charitable registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 Registration No.

 Our email address is: 

 

QUEEN'S CRESCENT GARDEN - LATEST

Directors are delighted to announce that the long-awaited 125 year lease has been signed and Queen's Crescent Garden now truly belongs to our community. What began as an idea to reclaim this neglected green space during the neighbourhood planning process way back in 2011 has finally become a reality. To mark this momentous occasion a celebratory event "Rise & Shine" took place in the garden on Saturday 21 July. 

Click here for further details of "Rise & Shine".

 

TRUST AGM 2017 

The Trust held a successful AGM on Wednesday 11 October which was attended by 26 shareholder members. Draft minutes can be viewed by clicking the link opposite.

Exciting times at last for the regeneration of Queen's Crescent Garden.

COULD YOU HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ST JAMES?

Directors are keen to hear from you if you believe you have skills or expertise that would assist the Trust Board in achieving our aims and aspirations on behalf of the local community. We are striving to make St James a better place - if you can help please get in touch by emailing us at:  

 

 

 

JOIN US!  Please download the appropriate application form:

 

 
  

(clubs, societies, associations)

 

(registered companies)

 

Why a TRUST and shares scheme has been set up

The Trust has been set up to enable the projects identified in the Exeter St James Neighbourhood Plan to be turned from ideas into reality. The initial member/shareholder investment sets up the Trust.

You’ll help to create a lasting legacy for future generations

By supporting the Trust you are helping St James to help itself to be a better place in which to live and work. Once established the Trust will be able to raise significant funds to achieve its objectives and aspirations.

Buying & owning shares

To become a member you need to make a one-off minimum purchase of 5 £1 ordinary shares - each shareholder gets a vote at Trust meetings whether s/he had invested £5 or £500 – but you are welcome to make investment of sums larger than £5. This money will be used to provide the initial working capital for the Trust. Please complete the application form and send it with your cheque or cash to our registered office . You will receive a share certificate

The Background

Exeter St James Community Trust is a spin-off from the successful Exeter St James Forum. A 91.6% Yes vote in the May 2013 referendum endorsed the St James Neighbourhood Plan created by the Forum – the first ever urban Neighbourhood Plan adopted by its local authority in the country.

The extensive local research and consultation which was undertaken in order to write the Neighbourhood Plan identified projects which the community would like to see undertaken – first and foremost of those potential projects was the wish that Queen’s Crescent Garden be improved. Other popular project ideas included the development of sustainable homes, finding/improving allotments and heritage walks.

In order to undertake projects, St James Forum needs a ‘body corporate’ which
can take them on. The Forum itself is not sufficient to take on the lease for Queen’s Crescent Garden once the City Council has compulsorily purchased it. To this end Exeter St James Community Trust Ltd was set up in July 2014 and granted charitable status by HMRC in December that year.

A sense of pride, ownership and community values... a shared interest

The Trust will give St James the opportunity to create and run its very own park which has been neglected for many years. Community consultation shows us that the residents and friends of St James would like to see Queen’s Crescent Garden as an airy, green space with a play area, seating, a pop up cafe and garden with volunteers working on and making it a beautiful place to visit and walk through. A QCG events programme could include an antiques fair, arts festival, Shakespeare productions, plant sales, coffee mornings, speakers – just add your imagination!

Imagine what else we might do – perhaps acquire land for community use, create affordable housing with the help of the Homes and Communities Agency, support
a new St James allotment association in its dealings with Network Rail, find grants to plant trees, repair walls and railings and generally improve the appearance of all our streets.

 

 

 

ESJCT Ltd is a charitable registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 Registration No.

Registered address: