St George's Church, Hanworth, sold its Farm (which had provided rent each year to run the Church), to New Ideal Homes in 1933.

The land was sold at a lesser value to allow people to own their own homes, which was unusual for ordinary people between the wars.

The houses sold for £395! They are now valued at over £175,000 and land to build a new house in this area is now £75,000 or more.

To reflect the lower sale price of Church land, an Annual Charge of £6 was instituted, which was one weeks' wage (now over £250). This could not be increased.

The £6 charge is on the land which the property occupies. Similar charges exist in Egham (Water Board) and where Allotment Charity land has been used for housing.

The collection of the £6 charge is at the liberty of the Church. Yearly collections from about 1008 homes is not possible. The Diocese of London requires us to collect the monies. The Charity Commission state that it is the duty of Trustees to recover their assets. They wrote to this effect (to us) two months ago.

We hope that you will understand and appreciate that we are doing (which is required by law), is as painless as possible.

Please refer to the Charges Register on the property deeds.

On the Middlesex Land Registry Deed (MX plus 6 figures), there is a box called 'Charges Register' which lists the £6 charge as applied to the property (listed at head of Deed). If this does not appear, then the Land Registry may have made a mistake and it does not apply to the property. Please inform the Company in writing, with a copy Deed.

If the Charge has been paid (and some have paid the Annual Charge in the past), then a copy of the Letter of Discharge should be sent to the company for an appropriate deduction.

Thank you.

Revd Paul S Williamson