Celebrating Community and Looking to the Future
- Rhys Jones
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Today, The Post published a feature exploring the history of the Eldonian Village and the events of recent years.
The story highlights the strength and determination shown by members of the local community, including our secretary and trainee priest, Rhys Jones, who became involved after supporting residents who wished to better understand governance matters affecting the village.
What has emerged over time is a powerful example of community engagement, residents asking questions, seeking clarity, and working constructively to ensure that the future of the village reflects its founding values.
Following concerns raised within the community, the Charity Commission for England and Wales opened a statutory inquiry. A new board of trustees was subsequently appointed to strengthen governance and ensure the organisation operates transparently and in accordance with its charitable objectives.
Today, the Eldonian Community Trust is focused entirely on its mission: serving the residents of the Eldonian Village and delivering meaningful community activities that support children, families, and older residents alike.
Lord Chris Rennard MBE, Chair of the Eldonian Community Trust, said:
“Rhys Jones has shown extraordinary determination, persistence, and courage in bringing these issues into the open. His integrity has shone out every step of the way as he has been revealing the facts that others wanted to keep quiet. Only through his efforts are we now ensuring that the concerns of residents are being heard properly. A community has been deprived of the assets given to it by the Archdiocese and by public bodies. We want to restore hope. The Eldonian Village has a long and proud history as a community built by its residents. The priority now for the trustees is to ensure that the charity moves forward with strong governance and a renewed focus on serving the people of the village.”
Rhys Jones, Secretary to the Board of Trustees said:
“This story was never about me. It began because people in the Eldonian Village — many of whom I have known all my life — were worried about their community and wanted answers. I simply tried to help find those answers. People like Maureen Price showed enormous courage in speaking up, and there were many others who supported the effort quietly behind the scenes and have remained in the shadows. Their determination to protect the community they built is what really made the difference. What matters now is that the Eldonian Community Trust can move forward and focus again on supporting the residents it was created to serve.”
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