The St.John Chancel Trust (1645- 1969), by Brian Carne

The article describes the formation of the Chancel Trust in perpetuity by Sir John St.John, 1st Baronet, in 1645. The £10 payment was to be made each year from the date of his death (1648) for the upkeep of the St. John family chapel, the south aisle, chancel and family monuments both present and future.

The article lists the trustees of the Chancel Trust over the centuries and provides detailed accounts for repair works in the 19th century, with names of the different local businesses that undertook the works.

(This trust was taken over by Swindon Corporation when they purchased Lydiard Park in 1943 and the annual payment, modestly inflated, continues to this day.)