History of the Fairstead and its charity
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The history of Fairstead Trust begins over two hundred years ago. There was a piece of common land known as the Fairstead at Back Lane, Botesdale. It was part of the old Botesdale Green, a patch of manorial land dating back to the Middle Ages (see 1803 Redgrave Estate map extract above).
Another map by Hodskinson (1786) (right) shows that the area included a windmill near the village street.
In 1818 this common land was enclosed by means of an official Enclosure Award.
A Trust was set up to indemnify local people against the loss of their Common Land. Here is what was decided:
The Allotment of Back Hills - now called "The Fairstead" &c
I the said Commisioner do hereby assign, set out allot unto the Lord of the Manor of Botesdale and the Lord of the said Manor for the time being and the Rector, Churchwardens & Overseers of the Poor of the said Hamlet of Botesdale for the time being upon the Trusts & for the purposes mentioned in the said recited Act of the Fifty Fifth of His present Majesty George the Third all that Common called the Back Hills containing by measure Three Acres Three Roods and Twenty Two Perches And I do order & direct that the said Trustees shall hedge ditch & fence the said Allotment against the Public Road.
By the later 19th century there was a chalk pit on part of the site.
Image courtesy Ordnance Survey map Suffolk XXIV,SE 1886
Another part of the site was used for fairs and other local gatherings.
Image courtesy Richard Green
Eventually, the chalk pit became waste ground.
In the late 20th century the site was landscaped and became a housing estate known as The Fairstead.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Trustees - who we are
The History of the Trust - our background story
Awards - what we have helped to fund
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