Anchor Society


The Anchor Society is a charitable organization based in Bristol, England. It was founded in 1769 by 22 benefactors at a dinner held in honour of the wealthy 17th-century Bristol merchant, slave trader and philanthropist Edward Colston at the Three Tuns Tavern in the mediæval quarter of Bristol. To perpetuate Colston's memory, the first president of the society Gilbert Davies took up a collection to benefit the poor and elderly. Since then there have been annual collections coordinated by presidents who are elected to one-year terms. Today the society holds an annual dinner on 'Colston day' to announce the result of an annual fund-raising drive, which takes place during the first two weeks of November and is known as the President's personal collection. Money collected from this event is spent throughout the year on grants, befriending, housing and projects to benefit the poor and elderly. The Anchor Society is closely aligned with the Dolphin Society and the Grateful Society, both of which also help older people in the greater Bristol area. All three societies also gather in mid November to celebrate their charitable work at an annual service held in St Stephen's Church in the centre of the city.

Past Presidents & Annual Collections