GARRETT'S CHARITY

The Garrett’s Charity maintains the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms and St Thomas' Chapel of Ease for the benefit of the local community. The buildings are grade II listed and nestle at the heart of the community of Heighington in Lincolnshire.

Thomas Garrett, a local man, died around 1620 and is buried in Washingborough.  He was a bachelor with no dependents and in his will, amongst other bequests, he set up a trust fund to found a school in the Chapel of Ease for the boys of Heighington, Washingborough and Branston mainly for the teaching of Grammar and Latin.

In 1865 the Chapel underwent refurbishment from its original brick design to a more traditional stone-built church which was achieved, at least in part, by casing the brick building in stone. 

Thomas Garrett had specified in his will that if the school ceased to be held in the Chapel of Ease, the money should go to the “chiefest men of the town.”  To avoid this, legal advice was taken and a school room was built joining the Chapel building. 

The Heritage Rooms continue to be used for arts, crafts, heritage and educational purposes. A number of arts & crafts groups meet regularly in the buildings and over 200 people use the premises each week.