A direct descendant of one of Bristol’s most generous charity benefactors has himself marked 50 years as a trustee of Bristol Charities, which provides a wide range of services to the people of Bristol, including almshouses, day services and grant giving.

Stephen Thomas, 79, is the great great great great nephew of 19^th century philanthropist George Thomas and for the past half-a-century has served as a trustee for Bristol Charities, one of the city’s oldest charitable organisations.

To celebrate the milestone, fellow trustees held a celebratory dinner at The Mansion House in Clifton to honour Mr Thomas.

David Jones, Chief Executive of Bristol Charities, said: “Unknown to the thousands of Bristolians that Bristol Charities has helped during the last 50 years, Stephen Thomas has been working behind the scenes, making measurable improvements to their lives.

“His interest and expertise in investment management has proved invaluable in developing Bristol Charities’ investment strategy – a crucial element given that our work depends upon the income from the endowment funds we manage.”

As well as his role as a trustee, Mr Thomas had a distinguished career in industry before retiring in 1987. After National Service in the RAF, he joined the Sheldon Bush & Patent Shot Company, the lead and shot company that built the 140 feet tall reinforced concrete shot tower in Tower Lane. The tower, a Grade II listed building, is one of only three left in the country.

In addition to his business and charity work, Mr Thomas was also an international standard bridge player throughout the 1960s, twice appearing in the World Olympiad pairs tournament and winning the British Masters Pairs.

Stephen Thomas’s relative, George Thomas, lived from 1791-1869. He was active in local nineteenth century Liberal politics and was a leading social reformer. When Bristol Charities was created by an Act of Parliament in 1836 – taking over responsibility for a variety of charities previously administered by the Corporation of Bristol – he was named as one of the first trustees, becoming chairman of trustees in 1852, a role that Stephen Thomas was to hold over a hundred years later.

Barry England, chairman of Bristol Charities’ trustees said that “Stephen’s 50 years as a trustee is a remarkable achievement and we are delighted that he will continue to be actively involved as a trustee.”