Can you explain the difference between life & annual membership?

Life membership has not been available since 1999 when the charity moved across to an annual membership scheme. Anyone who stayed on the life membership scheme is not entitled to access some of the more recently introduced benefits.

I am trying to trace my family tree and have found out that my relatives were in the licensed trade

The Licensed Trade Charity was formed through a merger of the Society of Licensed Victuallers and the Licensed Victuallers National Homes. The SLV had been in operation as a Charity for over two hundred years and one might reasonably expect us to have a wealth of archive material on the industry.

Unfortunately, however, as a formerly London-based society, the headquarters was one of the first buildings to receive a direct hit from Hitler's Luftwaffe in the Second World War, thus destroying the vast majority of our records up till that time. (N.B. The information we do store purely concerns our members and not all licensed victuallers, so we may not even have had a record of your ancestor, even if we hadn't been bombed.). The other archived historical information that we do hold, is old minute books. We have no way of indexing them and so to look for names is a vastly time consuming business and is not a service we offer.

However, you may find the following publications helpful, Kelly's Post Office Business Directories which go back to 1845 and the Pigot's Directories which go back to 1823. Both list Taverns and Pubs etc and the names of the licensees. Unfortunately, not all the directories are on the internet but there is a site run by Family History Society which might assist you in accessing the relevant copies, as they are usually kept in Public Libraries. There is also another site called The Pubs, Inns and Taverns Index that covers the years 1801-1900, they may also be worth a try.

• Web address for the Family History Society - www.ffhs.org.uk
• Web address for Pubs & Taverns Index - www.pubsindex.freeserve.co.uk
• This may also be useful www.gendocs.demon.co.uk

Finally we would suggest you try the local Museum, their Curator may be able to direct you to further records? Similarly the council offices or magistrates may well have records dating back which will show the licence awarded to your ancestor

Best wishes in your continued research.

If I was a member of the SLV, LVNH or LTCH do I automatically become a member of the LTC?

Yes your membership continues under the same status held prior to the formation of the LTC. If you are a life member but would like to take advantage of the new benefits available to annual members you can convert.

Do I have to change to annual membership?

No you can choose to stay as a life member.

Do I have to be a member of the LTC to qualify for welfare help?

No the only criteria you need to meet is that you work or have worked in the licensed drinks trade.

How can I support this charity?

The charity is grateful for any donations it receives. A collecting box is available for pub counters (call 01344 884440) or if you want to make a donation please make this payable to 'LTC' and send to the address below.

Who provides the help?

At the LTC we have three people in our welfare department, with experience of helping people in a range of situations and with access to information systems, like the Citizens' Advice Bureau, to give people objective information and direction.

If you are applying for financial assistance, the charity will make a charity payment to you after consideration by the welfare department and certain criteria have been met.

For more information please contact our Welfare department on 01344 898550.

What help can the charity provide.

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) is here to help people when they don't know where else to turn. The LTC can provide

• Information on what benefits you are entitled to from the government.
• Information on housing.
• Direction and information on debt issues.
• Financial assistance to help you get by when you are ill and your income is not sufficient.
• Financial assistance to help you buy much needed equipment such as a wheelchair or even changes to your accommodation if you are disabled.
• Housing for those over 55.