Bungay Town Trust
Welcome to the Bungay Town Trust Website
Bungay Town Trust dates back to at least 1639, and was the body responsible for civic governance in the town until the Urban District Council was created in 1910. Bungay was fortunate in having a Town Purse which had built up over the years from legacies of land, buildings and monies bequeathed by residents, and the administrators of this fund did not want it absorbed into the coffers of the Urban District Council. The Trust was then set up as a registered charity, to ensure that this pot of Town Money would remain free from political and national influences and be effectively ring-fenced for the sole use of Bungay.
Town Reeve
The Trust is headed by a Town Reeve, a position unique to Bungay, and which dates back to the 16th Century. The Reeve serves for a year, and appoints his/her successor from amongst the Trustees, who are known as Feoffees. The Reeve for 2025-26 is Jason Collins. The Trust is currently recruiting feoffees – see our How to Get Involved page for more information and an application form.
Jason Collins has been installed as the new Town Reeve of Bungay at the annual Town Meeting.
At the age of 39 he becomes the youngest to hold the unique and ancient office for over 20 years, and the second youngest for nearly three-quarters of a century.
Land and Property
Today the Trust uses the income from its land and buildings to make grants to individuals or other deserving causes around the town. View the Trust’s Accounts for 2024-25.
The Trust owns and maintains lands and properties around the town, including the Buttercross, the Castle Hills, the Borough Well and The Drift in Outney Road.
It also owns and runs 13 almshouses for retired Bungay residents, in Outney Road and Staithe Close.
Through its ownership of the Buttercross, the Trust is also responsible for Bungay’s weekly Thursday Market.
