The Thanet Trust Association
Investigating a forgotten obligation to the people of Thanet
Were you born in Thanet or Kent?
Under Henry Robinson's 1642 will, people born in the Isle of Thanet or Kent were the intended beneficiaries of two scholarships and two fellowships at St John's College Cambridge. If the trust subsists, that may include you or members of your family.
There are two key reasons to sign the Beneficiary Register:
First — if the trust is confirmed to subsist, registered individuals will be recorded as having expressed an interest in the outcome.
Second — the number of people registered demonstrates the level of public interest in the issue, which matters both to the courts and to the media.
Sign the Beneficiary Register now and register your interest.
THE STORY
A 380-year-old promise to Thanet
In 1642, Henry Robinson left his lands in Birchington and St Nicholas-at-Wade to St John's College Cambridge — not as owners, but as trustees — with what appears to be a clear and continuing obligation: to fund scholarships and fellowships for people born in the Isle of Thanet.
St John’s College has confirmed through Freedom of Information responses that it holds no records of the trust having been formally terminated, and no records of scholarships ever being awarded. The land remains in the College's possession and is currently subject to a planning application for 1,600 new homes. A judicial review of that planning permission has been accepted by the High Court.
The Thanet Trust Association was formed to pursue transparency and accountability, and to understand whether Henry Robinson’s intentions have been fulfilled.
IN THE NEWS
Media Coverage
March 2026BBC Kent — Large estate may be derailed by 400-year-old willKentOnline — Could 1,600-home estate in Kent on land owned by University of Cambridge be derailed by 384-year-old will?Isle of Thanet News — Judicial Review challenge launched against Thanet Council over planning permission for 1,600 property development on Birchington farmland
THE STORY IN PICTURESOur Illustrations
These images have been used to tell the story of what was promised — and what was lost.
The ledger vs the notebook. Rent income from Birchington has been collected since at least 1660. The scholarships notebook has remained blank.
He dreamed of university. So did his children. And their children. For nearly 400 years. The human cost of a promise never kept.
Henry Robinson's Rube Goldberg Machine for Thanet. Imagine how much talent could have been unlocked — if only the scholarships had been paid.
Created for the Birchington Scarecrow Competition. Henry Robinson's will faces down the bulldozer.
The night shift. The will doesn't sleep either.
200 members strong. Celebrating 200 members of the Facebook Group on 17 April 2026.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
© 2026 The Thanet Trust Association. All rights reserved.The information on this site is provided for general purposes only. Nothing here constitutes legal advice or a finding of law. The question of whether the Henry Robinson Trust subsists is a matter for the courts. References to the trust are made on the basis that it may still exist, as no records of formal termination have been identified.thethanettrustassociation.org.uk