The Dean Barwick Charity

The Dean Barwick Charity was set up at the bequest of Dean John Barwick's Will in 1664 making Peter Barwick, his younger brother, his sole executor. Peter augmented the Charity through the acquisition of the customary rents of the Manor of Haresceugh in the Parish of Kirkoswald in 1660 and conveyed these lands to the Trustees in 1666. In 1885 the Charity Commissioners limited the Trustees to seven representative, and six co-opted by the Parish Council, and that is how it stands to- day.

The origin of the Charity, to provide a school for the inhabitants of Witherslack, to provide an income for apprenticeships for poor boys, a dowry for poor chaste maids, fuel for the poor and infirm and for the upkeep of the highways. All the things that did not exist when he was a boy.

To day the school and the upkeep of the highways have been taken over by the County Council. Although it is no longer a private affair grants are still made to these when required. The apprenticeships for poor boys are entirely different now, they are no longer 'put to a master' at an early age, but they have grants when they start work towards their tools, or grants per annum when they go to university towards their books. The dowry for 'poor chaste maids' is still the same. They apply for the grant and doctor’s certificates are required to state they have not had a baby during the first twelve months of marriage. Fuel for the poor and infirm are however still given in the form of bags of coal or electricity stamps.

The Charity has been modified over the years by the Charity Commissioners but it essentially follows the same principles of its benefactor. The Trustees still meet twice a year to administer the Charity. Haresceugh Castle had been causing a few problems with several letters between the relevant solicitors when the present tenant died in 1919. The Parish Council met and discussed this and it was resolved that it should be put up for sale at no less than £5,000. It was reported in the minutes that in 1921 Haresceugh Castle had been sold and that the money should be put into consolidated stock.

The Brockbank or Simpson Ground Charity was formed in 1755 by John Brockbank; the Curate from £130.00 collected from several legacies for the benefit of the poor of Witherslack. 'One undivided fourth part or share of land or buildings' known as the Simpson Ground Farm of Cartmel Fell containing 186 acres, 1 rood and 36 perches. This became defunct and in 1994 the Charity Commissioners advised the Council to merge it into another charity in the Parish.