The ‘Original’ Calvert Legacy
In 1794, orphaned and without anywhere to live, William and Dorothy Wordsworth were given their first home, just outside Keswick, rent free, by the Calvert Family. Raisley Calvert was a childhood friend of Wordsworth and believed in Wordsworth’s potential as a poet.
Raisley died, aged 21, of tuberculosis. In his Will, he left Wordsworth the legacy of £900 that was to give him the independence that would allow him to devote himself entirely to poetry and become the Poet Laureate we know today.
Wordsworth immortalised his friend’s legacy in published word:
‘Calvert! It must not be unheard by them who may respect my name,
that I to thee owed many years of early liberty’
Sonnet to the memory of Raisley Calvert
Thus was born, the spirit of Calvert Giving. Over two centuries later, we are so very grateful that it is still alive and well.
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Latest news
Swimmers Invited To Take A Dip For Charity On New Year’s Day!
Cumbrians are being invited to take a dip for charity with the Lake District Calvert Trust’s first New Year’s Day Dip.
Sponsored by Alpkit, the Dip is taking place at Derwentwater at 11 am on 1 January 2023.
Ennerdale woman spins 1.1 kilometres of yarn during Wainwright challenge
An Ennerdale woman has successfully completed a unique three-year fundraising challenge for the Lake District Calvert Trust – taking on the Wainwrights and spinning over 1.1 kilometres of yarn in the process!
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