THE WOODWARD
EDUCATIONAL TRUST

As with many family Estates such as Hopton which has been in family hands for generations, it is not uncommon to find that charities have been set up and land given for the benefit of the local community.

Hopton is no exception to this and over the last two hundred years or more, the Botfield family and the Woodward family (both families were related) are known to have built two Churches, St Michael & All Angels in Hopton Wafers and St John’s in Doddington. Other charities were set up by the Botfield family which have now fulfilled their function and have ceased to be in existence.

Since the beginning of the Woodward Family tenure of Hopton, two schools one in Hopton Wafers and one in nearby Farlow, were built. two community halls, one in Hopton Wafers another at Doddington were also built and are registered charities.

Over the last 30 years, the many events which have been run at Hopton have either by sponsorship or financial support, often contributed to local charities and organisations, and sometimes national charities.  

National charities and organisations include Cancer Research UK, Riding for The Disabled, not for profit British Event Affiliated Horse Trials with Sportsmatch funding for young riders, The Country Trust, plus many more.

Local Charities and organisations we have either sponsored or supported, include the home-grown ‘Hole in the Wall’ Youth Project, which ran with Local Government and Arts Council support, The first Cleobury Mortimer Scouts, St Mary’s Youth Project, St Mary’s Church in Cleobury Mortimer.