About the Village Trust

The Village Trust is a registered charity, which aims to improve the environment in the village and promote high standards of development, whether in new buildings or the renovation and alteration of existing ones.

We aim to secure the protection and improvement of features of public and historic interest and encourage an interest in the history of the village and surrounding areas.

Issues that we have addressed over recent years include the desirability and standard of new development proposals and changes to the use and appearance of existing buildings, a wide variety of traffic and highway issues, litter and dog fouling.  Plaques have been erected to provide information about people and buildings of historic interest, village litter picks organised and speakers invited to our open meetings. Also, we have presented Design Awards for the best new development, following a poll of members, and been involved in village centre environmental improvements.  Booklets have been published about the history and development of the village, including a leaflet of heritage trails and a booklet on the history of the village.

The Trust has a very active Blooming Group that plants over 50 conservation area tubs in spring and autumn, maintaining and watering them throughout the year. Money for this comes from our local County Councillors, donations and other fund raising. The Group also organises working parties to tidy up shrub beds and public open spaces, as required. We have entered the village in ‘Northumbria in Bloom’ and was twice awarded a Silver Gilt.

At least twice a year the Trust holds an Open Meeting, in a local Church Hall, for members and guests to raise and discuss issues arising in Shotley Bridge. Our local Durham County Councillors usually attend. We circulate a newsletter to members before each meeting and post the agenda on our community  notice board in the village centre, as well as on this website.

Further information and a summary of our annual accounts are posted on the Charity Commission’s website