Burnley · History & charitable legacy
Stocks MasseyA legacy for Burnley.
The Edward Stocks Massey Bequest Fund
From a brewer’s bequest to support for the next generation. The story of a local charity sustaining education, music and the arts.
I chair the Edward Stocks Massey Bequest Fund Joint Advisory Committee.
01 / The beginnings
A short history
Edward Stocks Massey was born in Brierfield in 1850. He made his fortune in Burnley’s brewing industry, becoming a partner in Massey’s Brewery alongside his brother Charles in 1883. Music was also part of his life: he served as choirmaster at St Luke’s Church in Brierfield.
When he died in 1909, he left £135,000 to benefit the people of Burnley. The bequest fund was established in 1910. The town’s corporation invested the gift, and trustees have maintained it over the years so it can continue to provide grants.
Its purpose spans education, science, learning, music and the arts. The Edward Stocks Massey Gallery at Towneley Hall and the Massey Music Library at Burnley Central Library are part of that legacy. Today, the fund supports local organisations and student scholarships.
Sources: Burnley Borough Council’s history of the bequest and Lancashire County Council’s account of the fund’s origins and purpose (PDF).
02 / The continuing legacy
Awards & articles
Reports on the people and organisations supported by the fund.
Stocks Massey 2026: £34,000 for Burnley groups and students
The 2026 Stocks Massey awards allocated £34,000 in total, supporting 18 Burnley organisations and two student scholarships for Charlie Diamond and Jonah Morgan.
Read morePhoto: Childzy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Stocks Massey 2025: £24,000 for Burnley groups and students
The 2025 Stocks Massey awards allocated £24,000 in total, supporting 15 Burnley organisations and two student scholarships for Naimah Miah and Caden Redmond.
Read moreNaimah Miah at the 2025 Stocks Massey award presentation.