This tablet is in the porch above the glass entrance doors to the church.  The text is as follows, with minimum punctuation added, also some modernising of spelling. 

An account of such Lands as belonging to the Poor of the Parish of Welland in the County of Worcester, taken this seventh day of May 1716 by William Cotterill and Henry Edgcombe Churchwardens, Richard Lyes and Thomas Bigg Overseers as followeth.

IMPRIMIS  two parcels of arable land lying together in a common field called Westfield, containing five acres, having the lands of Edmund Taylor Esq. on the north-east and south-west parts thereof and known by the name of Ayleworths Horne.  Two acres of arable land of pasture ground lying in Tippers Croft, one acre thereof having the lands of John Pumphry on the north and of Thomas Pewtriss on the south part thereof, the other acre having the lands of Joseph Baylies on the south and of Thomas Pewtriss on the north part thereof.  One acre of pasture ground in Morless having the lands of Mr. Turberville on the south and west and north parts and of Thomas Pewtriss on the east part thereof.  One acre of arable land lying in Little Pagans field having the lands of Mr. Turberville on the west and of Thomas Pewtriss on the east part thereof.  One acre of arable land lying in Tibridge having lands in possession of Richard Bean on the south and of William Bennett on the north part thereof.  All which said lands are lying in the said Parish of WELLAND and three quarters of an acre of meadow ground lying in Welland Meadow in the parish of CASTLEMORTON having lands in possession of Richard Cartwright on the south and of Richard Thould on the north part thereof.

Item:  Given by the Will of William Archer late of Ludlow in the County of Salop, deceased, the sum of ten pounds to the Parish of Welland in the County of Worcester: But to what purposes is not known.  The Will having been searched for, but cannot be found.

Given by Mrs. Jane and Penelope Taylor, a gilt cup with a cover to it.  And also a gilt ewer for the use of the Sacrament only, and not any other.

This tablet is painted on wooden panels, it would have been considered an immensely important item which undoubtedly is why it was on display in the old Church of St. James for all to see.  It is an account of the land held in 1716 which would have been used specifically for the poor of Welland.  It includes not only the land that the Parish itself set aside to help with the relief of the poor, but also the land held by the trustees of ‘Welland Poor’s Land Charity’.  This Charity was founded by deed poll on 7th January 1624, whereby John Castle (alias Salter) granted to trustees, several plots of land to be held for the benefit of the poor. 

Between 1624 and this tablet being written in 1716, some plots of land were sold off and others added.  However, three of the four parcels of land John Castle gave, were still owned by the Charity in this 1716 update, namely Ayleworths Horne (referred to as Ayleworth-houne in 1624), Tippers Croft and Welland Meadow.  A smaller parcel of land, a little over half an acre called fourteen shilly piece which was specifically mentioned in the 1624 document, appears to have been disposed of in the intervening years.  It was part of a larger field which is still referred to today as fourteen shilling field.

In 1624 and for many years after that, the proceeds from the land were used to buy what the poor of the Parish needed; donations of food, coal and clothing, etc. were distributed.  In the early 1900s, money could also be used to pay doctor’s bills, buy medicines, or pay the expenses of patients in hospitals and convalescent homes (our National Health system wasn’t launched until 1948).  In 1929 the Minutes recorded a grant of £3 to provide artificial teeth for a resident and 10 grants of 10 shillings each to help out with nursing care were awarded.

Under the Welland Enclosure Act, a little over nine acres of the 1716 land holding was replaced by alternative plots and gradually since then, all but one plot of land has been sold off and the proceeds invested instead.  The Charity continues however, but as you may imagine, in a more modern format. 

Today, anyone from the Parish can apply for a grant to help with the purchase of books for studies or any other similar assistance that may be needed and the Trustees frequently advertise this fact, usually in the Parish Council’s Newsletter which is hand delivered to each and every resident’s house.  Just as an example, this article appeared in the December 2022 Newsletter:

WELLAND POOR’S LAND CHARITY

Since the 1600s this local charity has been helping parishioners with grants derived from endowed land and we’re still going strong!

The Trustees look to help residents of the civil parish of Welland who could benefit from financial assistance. This could be just to pay a bill during a rough patch, to help buy equipment for an apprenticeship or university course or to fund an educational opportunity.

Grants usually range from £50 to £150 and have been given for things such as books and tools, heating bills, travel costs and uniforms.

There is no age limit and each application is decided on its merits against broad criteria.

This year the charity has donated £500 to support the Community Larder at the church as we know that these are difficult times for many.

In July 2023 the Trustees of ‘Welland Poor’s Land Charity’ decided to change its name to ‘Welland Residents Charity’ in order to reflect a more modern approach to its work and to encourage more residents to apply for grants.  In addition to the aforementioned grants, the charity also helped support a number of village organisations and clubs, and they had already moved towards more actively supporting younger residents with small grants towards costs involved in taking up university courses, apprenticeships and other activities such as attending educational events or participating in sporting events abroad.