Our History

Since 1971, the Wrekin Trust has initiated programmes and projects that provide positive and helpful thinking to support humanity’s evolutionary steps into a new understanding we term ‘a holistic and spiritual world view’ which is based on the twin approaches of both science and mysticism. As George Trevelyan used to explain in science we understand “The world is a harmonious organic whole where matter and energy are but viewpoints or phases in the continuous cosmic dance of which the observer is an integral part” – Fritjof Capra.

In mysticism we buid on the wisdom of the past which held that each of us is a being of body, soul and Spirit. The institutions developed in the ancient world catered for our spiritual needs within our physical environment. It was recognised that humanity was part of the organism of the planet earth and that the wellbeing of both was completely intertwined, and furthermore that the earth, the planets and the stars were part of an immense system which was in perfect harmony. Mystics knew that we could attune to the creative intelligence of the living universe and that this sense could be enhanced by training. There were centres of initiation where the esoteric knowledge was passed on to those who would be developed enough to use it for the good of all. The knowledge was codified time and again through the ancient cultures, was frequently debased and driven underground only to arise once more in times of tribulation.

We see that the earth is now passing through such an epoch. The development of the materialistic culture has, in the present century, become a real threat to our very existence on the earth of which we are a part. Small wonder that in such a time of trouble this ageless wisdom should start to reappear and that the great Spirit of the Universe should be reawakening through what must be the most widespread revival of spiritual knowledge this earth has ever seen.

It is to the understanding and dissemination of this knowledge that the work of the Wrekin Trust is dedicated.

Sir George Trevelyan, the founder, was for 24 years Warden of Attingham Park, the Shropshire Adult College. It was here he first felt the need for enquiry into the real nature of man and the Universe to which he belonged. He organised residential courses and conferences on many aspects of spiritual knowledge. On his retirement in 1971 many deeply concerned people felt that this work should be continued and they helped to form the Wrekin Trust, a charitable foundation which is today a focal point for those who are committed to the exploration of their spiritual natures and the development of their consciousness.

From 1971 to 1990 the Wrekin Trust provided conferences and programmes that enabled up to 10,000 people a year from diverse disciplines and viewpoints to explore leading edge topics in a non-sectarian way.

In November 1990 the Wrekin Trust held a major networking conference in London:

“Melting the Barriers – Spiritual Education Past, Present and Future”

Several of the individuals and organisations currently contributing to the Wrekin Forum presented their work. The purpose of the event was to “spread and seed the growing one-ness Vision” by reflecting and honouring the past, considering the present transitions – transformation that were taking place then and exploring new visions and emerging realities.

Today these new realities are indeed emerging and taking shape in different ways. Our work is to support and link them with a connected visionary movement.

It was in 1998 that the Wrekin Trust initiated a new phase, following the death of Sir George in 1996. A vision of an emerging “University for Spirit” was present in those gathering at that time and in July 2000 35 people representing different organisations was convened as a first annual Round Table. This resulted in the formation of what is now called the Wrekin Forum (click for more detail).

We feel that an Ultimate University for Spirit is emerging on a subtle level from the initiatives underway by our associates and also by the Forum as a collective grouping.

As the vision takes root it will be a step towards restoring the term ‘University’ to its meaning “Universus” – for learning that ‘is directed towards the One’.

Currently the Round Table impulse is being grounded in several regions of the British Isles. The image of a group of dedicated associates who are engaged both on their individual quest for wholeness, inner strength and self-knowledge and also can come together to provide a collective leadership that will co-create the nature of our collective future.

Wrekin Forum associates are those dedicated to this purpose, Wrekin Forum Companions are those willing to support those fully committed to undertaking a major task of personal transformation – contribute their energies, talents and resources to this end.

Sir George believed that we could not bring peace into the world until our own inner being is at peace. For this reason the Wrekin Trust also emphasises the steps we need to take in personal transformation. It seems that evolutionary stages requiring a major shift of consciousness are upon us and that those who awaken to the task are asked to work together to create a new era, even possibly an evolutionary stage of ‘homo-universalis’ in which we see the whole planet as our family. Sir George saw this, wrote and spoke about it and set up programmes that contributed to this shift of consciousness. We believe it is the role of our generation to take this step into wider consciousness and embody it in every aspect of our contemporary society.

We invite those who also feel called to this work to connect with us.

The observer can only see according to the state of his own being and mystics, prophets and teachers have always implored us to attend first to ourselves – to purify our own vehicles. Everything that we experience is a reflection of what we are and as we become more conscious, more open, more loving, so the world around us will reflect that state. Wrekin Trust courses, conferences and projects are designed to forward such knowledge and experience. Evolution proceeds through each one of us. As we change so the world itself becomes changed