Volunteers wanted to help preserve historic Telscombe Village
The entrance to Telscombe Village, whose rural character Gorham's Gift was set up to preserve
Brighton & Hove City Council is helping recruit a community trustee for Gorham's Gift, the legacy charity that has protected the rural character of Telscombe Village since bookmaker and Grand National winner Ambrose Gorham left it to the village in 1933. No experience is needed, just a passion for the area and its history.
A rare chance to help safeguard the future of one of Sussex's best-hidden villages has opened up, as Brighton & Hove City Council helps recruit a new trustee for Gorham's Gift, the legacy charity that has protected the rural character of Telscombe Village for the best part of a century.
The trust is looking to appoint an additional co-opted trustee from within the community. No previous experience of being a trustee is required. What the charity most wants to hear from is people with a genuine passion for the area and an enthusiasm for its local history.
A village left to its people
Gorham's Gift is a registered charity and legacy trust (charity number 230146) which owns several homes, historic buildings and areas of land in Telscombe Village. It was bequeathed to the village by Ambrose Gorham following his death in 1933, and is now administered by Brighton & Hove City Council through the charity.
Gorham was a bookmaker and racehorse owner who settled at Stud Farm in Telscombe around 1890 and came to act as the village squire and benefactor. He directed much of his fortune back into the village, funding the restoration of its parish church and supporting the households and children who lived there.
The 1902 Grand National
Gorham's mare Shannon Lass won steeplechasing's most famous race at Aintree at odds of 20/1, ridden by David Read and trained by James Hackett. Her winnings helped rebuild Telscombe.
Shannon Lass remains one of only a handful of mares ever to win the race. On his death Gorham left his property and land for charitable purposes, and the terms of the trust were formalised through a High Court scheme dated 10 December 1935, later amended several times up to 2004. Today any surplus funds are used to help maintain the Church of St Laurence in the village, home to a pair of murals left by Gorham in 1905, and to support community initiatives.
Councillor David McGregor, Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism
What the trust does today
According to its entry on the Charity Commission register, the charity's income is applied to preserving the rural character of Telscombe so that the people of Telscombe, Piddinghoe and Brighton can enjoy peaceful recreation, alongside supporting the upkeep of the church and churchyard and the relief of deserving residents in the village.
Figures for the year to 31 March 2025, Charity Commission register
The trust traditionally has three trustees appointed from current Brighton & Hove City Council councillors, a representative of the council's chief executive, and two co-opted trustees. The new appointment would add a further co-opted trustee drawn directly from the community, to help keep Gorham's original vision alive: to protect and celebrate Telscombe Village.
Who the charity is looking for
Applicants do not need any prior trustee experience. The priority is enthusiasm for the area and its heritage, though a few kinds of background would be especially useful to the charity.
A passion for the area. Genuine enthusiasm for Telscombe and its local history matters most of all.
Land and property know-how. Knowledge of farming, farm or property management would be helpful to the trust.
Legal or planning experience. A background in legal or planning matters would also be valuable.
It is a voluntary role, though reasonable expenses are covered, and it involves attending a small number of meetings each year, mostly at Hove Town Hall with one held in the village itself.
Councillor David McGregor
How to get involved
The council is inviting anyone interested to have an informal, no-pressure conversation to find out more before making any commitment. Expressions of interest should be made before 20 August.
Further detail on the recruitment is available on the council's news page, and the charity's full record can be viewed on the Charity Commission register.