The Kenfig Corporation Trust
Biographical History
The Borough of Kenfig was founded in the early 12th century, its earliest surviving charter dates c.1396.
The Kenfig Borough suffered from the encroachment of sand dunes and was forced to move to Pyle in 1471.
The Kenfig Borough had several courts:
Reform Act 1832 & decline of Courts
The Courts fell into decay with the rise of the County Courts. Before the Reform Act 1832,
The Kenfig Borough joined the Boroughs of Cardiff, Cowbridge, Llantrisant, Aberavon, Neath, Swansea
and Lougher in order to send a member to Parliament in London.
Subsequently, the Kenfig Borough formed part of the Swansea Parliamentary District and later the Aberavon District.
The ancient Borough of Kenfig virtually came to an end when its corporation was dissolved in 1886 as
a direct result of The Municipal Corporations Act 1883.
The Formation of The Kenfig Corporation PropertyNow known as The kenfig Corporation Trust
The Charity Commissioners empowered to deal with its affairs set up the Kenfig Corporation Property
which was formed of a committee of 12 people whcih included representatives from local authorities.
This new committee was charged with the administration of the Borough Property.
Under a new scheme of management issued by the Charity Commissioners in 1998, the Kenfig Corporation
Property was renamed The kenfig Corporation Trust.
The BeginningThe 700 year old borough of Kenfig was dissolved in 1886 as a result of the Municipal Corporations Act 1883.
The Charity Commisioners set up the Kenfig Corporation Trust which consisted of a committee of 12 people.
These were 4 burgesses, 4 others from the Rural Sanitary Authority, Bridgend and 4 from the Margam Local Board.
They were responsible for the administration of the corporation and the adoption of the scheme of adjustment of powers.
Common LandThe remaining 46 burgesses and their sons and widows were allowed to continue to exercise their rights
but after their deaths, the inhabitants of Kenfig would enjoy the privileges of the boroughs common land.
Everyone of the burgesses who shared Waun y Cimla were to be paid 11 shillings annually. After the cost
of the scheme had been covered and all expenses paid for, the burgesses shared the residue.
The Prince of Wales InnThe schedule of property invested in the Trust included the Prince of Wales Inn, the interest of
Kenfig Down (1,200 acres) and the right of free warren on part of it.
Also included were the borough's mace, seal, weights, pint measure and £1,700 in investments.
The Seal of KenfigA Mr Mccay was paid 9d for engraving the corporation seal.
The Court CaseThe Court CaseThe dispute over land ownership between the Trustees of the Margam Estate and the Trustees of the charity
known as the 'Kenfig Corporation Property' was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, before Mr Justice
Goulding in June 1971.
The action had started in 1959, the dispute having gathered momentum from the early part of the 20th century.
Case Timeline
To be continued... The Famous Court Case |
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Related Website Links
Local Historical Information
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Acknowledgements
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| Photos: Prince of Wales Inn, Kenfig | Steve Parker | www.tonkenfig.co.uk | Ton Kenfig, Bridgend | |||
| Information: The Kenfig Corporation Trust | Bridgend County Borough Council Education | www.bridgend.gov.uk | Bridgend |
