Forum Topic

Brentford Baths Money

A good twenty or so years ago I was an active member of the Friends of Brentford Baths campaign. Alas, our efforts came to nothing. However, as a group we managed to raise, from my memory, about £16,000.00 towards savings the baths. The account was held, I believe, at Barclay's in the High Street. I think I remember the names of a couple of the signatories but obviously this isn't the place to be bandying about names. There may not be anything untoward but I am interested to know what became of this money and, if it is still sitting there (as it should be), whether or not it can be used for any other local cause. Does anybody have any information please?

Anne England ● 4502d8 Comments

Thanks for that and pleased to know after all these years! I am glad that the money went to such a good cause. I don't remember seeing anything about this in the local press though - I would have thought it warranted a mention but maybe I just missed it. Thanks again.

Anne England ● 4487d

Hi Anne,I've just had confirmation from the Charity Commission that the balance of funds was transferred to the RNLI (Charity 209603).

Kath Richardson ● 4489d

Probably in the same place that filming donations to the community went.Try asking the Griffin Residents Assosciation, maybe they know?

Anthony Waller ● 4499d

Looking online I find that it was called Brentford Baths Trust.  The record starts at 1999 (the set up of the trust/charity definitely predated this) and ends at 2008. A blue line on the graph ends in 2008 and shows net assets of £10,000 with a red dot against £0.00 on the same date. Elsewhere online I have found the statement 'It is planned to distribute the charities funds, less expenses, to the rnli charity for use in the west London area of Brentford, Chiswick and Isleworth during August or September 2009'.I think a call to the rnli is in order - if the money was given, fair enough. I am just surprised there was no local news about this as far as I know. Also, if I am correct in thinking that the account held more like £16,000 (could be wrong), where did this money go? There is more information re the fund online, including for example a 'turnover' of £275.00 for 2008 (and a different net amount of £9542.00) Is it possible that the money has been whittled down through 'management' fees or the like over the years? Feeling a bit out of my depth here.

Anne England ● 4499d

If it was a charity speak to the Charity Commission

Neil Chippendale ● 4499d

Thank you for your reply.I don't think the local historians would know anything and I'm pretty sure I spoke to one local Councillor about it in passing some years ago. I certainly will ask them to look into it though.I have sort of held this in mind for all these years and always thought something would 'materialise' one day but no.I still know/know of a couple of other people who were involved in the charity and the fundraising so may well get in touch with them.I can't see how the money could have gone missing as my memory is that it was in Barclay's on the High Street and my understanding is that more than one named person would have had to sign for any money to be released. I would rather not say any more than this.Hopefully the money is sitting there and everybody has just forgotten about it.

Anne England ● 4499d

I do vaguely recall this subject bring raised on this Forum maybe 7 or 8 years ago... and I believe names were mentioned.Did the money go missing or something...  is the faint memory in my mind.I would suggest you write directly to the several key members of the local community.. including current and past Councillors.. and the well known local historians and ask them the questions.Don't give up on your enquiries I'd say

Jim Lawes ● 4499d

As I have had no replies I take it that nobody knows anything about this. However, I am as sure as I can be that there is £16,000+ sitting in a bank account in Brentford which, presumably, could be used for another cause. (Friends of Brentford Baths was, I believe, a registered charity.) As somebody who went to a good number of meetings about the baths and who stored bags of t-shirts and sweatshirts bearing the logo Save Brentford Baths in my back bedroom, posted a lot of leaflets through doors encouraging people to make a donation etc., I really would like to know. I have a very good memory for things generally and I remember that one person in Clifden Road gave £100.00 and that a certain local celebrity made a donation of £10.00 etc. Does anybody out there have any ideas please?

Anne England ● 4499d