Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust

Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust (BWCT) was created in 2003 to replace a part of the responsibilities of the then Burley Community Council. The Trust was bequeathed the Corn Mill Pond with a legacy for ongoing maintenance and it was felt that this would be better handled by a registered charity (1098871) run by a committee of trustees, all of whom would be volunteers.

Over the years since then the Trust has become responsible for the Scalebor Pavilion and Playing Fields, Pudding Tree Garden (next to the Malt Shovel residential property, Jubilee Garden (near Jake Wright), Herb & Vegetable Gardens, provision of new Benches all around the village, the three Map & Information boards, and for a short time the Roundhouse when it created the surrounding garden. It has also taken on overall responsibility for the Annual Christmas Lights and Street Markets, the Wharfedale Wombles litter picking and eco volunteers, Annual Duck Race, Hanging Baskets and Tubs, the Burley Summer Festival and Moor Run, and the Village Website Discover Burley where, amongst much useful information, is also the Village Diary.

In 2019 the Trust merged funds with the Burley Educational Trust (BET), a charity formed in 1995 from the sale of the Township School, and BWCT now manages the income and investments of this as a designated fund to help schoolchildren and other young people in Burley in Wharfedale and its environs.

As well as asset management and activities the Trust, working closely with the Parish Council, has overseen drainage improvements at Scalebor Playing Field, new Playground Equipment, refurbishment of the Fountain of Life, and has made significant contributions to other voluntary village organisations including, most notably, the Scouts and Guides, Bowling Club, Football Club and Cricket Club, and most recently the new Pump & Balance Track opened in May 2026 located on the Recreation ground.

We currently have 14 volunteer trustees who all work hard to continue the good work of the Trust.

The Trust relies on an annual membership scheme (c1000), and public and commercial donations.

Further details on the work of the Community Trust and how to join as a member or volunteer can be found at burleycommunitytrust.org.uk

If you are interested to know more about the history of Burley in Wharfedale then you can browse The Burley Archive either on-line or in person (via appointment) at Burley Community Library.