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Introduction
From their earliest days, charity and education have been principal elements in the role of the guilds and Livery Companies. One of the first charitable tasks undertaken by the early guilds was the care of their members in sickness and old age. By the early fifteenth century, the Vintners' Company had established "thirteen little mansions" on the site of the Hall to be let to poor and needy men of the craft.
These were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and subsequently rebuilt at Mile End where they were maintained until they too were destroyed during the 1939-45 war. After the war, new homes were built at Nutley in Sussex. In 1997 Nutley was sold and the funds raised were used to build bungalows at The Benevolent Society's "Vintry" site at Eastbourne. Further bungalows were added in 2000, maintaining this 600-year-old duty into the new millennium.
In addition to this traditional use of charitable funds, The Vintners' Company has broadened its giving into areas such as education and support for the wine trade.
The Company has three charitable vehicles:
VINTNERS' GIFTS CHARITY, which continues to provide support for the needy, educational projects, the wine trade and other organisations associated with the Company. It also provides the charitable vehicle for the Company to make half-yearly donations in response to bids from other London-based charities. If you wish to apply please see following pages.
More information specific to Members of the Company may be found in the Members' Area
THE VINTNERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, consisting of funds raised from current members of the Company and which supports schools and charities nominated by members of the Livery and Freedom, in particular those related to alcohol and drug abuse.
SAVE OUR SWANS, which provides support to two swan sanctuaries, the Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton, Middlesex and Swan Lifeline at Eton, Berkshire.
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