Our speaker in January was Alastair Dick-Cleland from the Landmark Trust (LT). His talk was aimed at explaining the origins of the Trust and its activities. Alastair has been with LT for 28 years, working as Project Development Manager and now assessing new buildings suggested to the Trust.
The role of the Landmark Trust is to rescue and restore buildings of historic interest in the UK and elsewhere and to let them out to provide an income.
Alastair explained that the LT was founded in 1988 by John Smith who was later knighted in recognition of his work. The LT has various criteria in selecting buildings for its attention:
- The building should be of architectural or historical importance
- It should be at risk in some way
- It should be in a good setting
- Small buildings are preferred
- The building should be ‘fundable’.
The Trust has a number of buildings which are Grade 1 or 2* listed. Other preferences include forts, such as the Palmerston forts from the 19th century. Crown Hill fort was given as an example. Follies are liked; the Gothic temple at Stowe was cited. Castles also were preferred; the Trust owns a number in Yorkshire and Scotland. Gardens are considered important.
The talk was profusely illustrated with photographs of LT properties, some of which are over 1,000 years old. They include a pigsty in the form of a Palladian temple in Yorkshire (!); ‘The Ruin’ near Ripon; a contemporary house designed by Peter Rawlington in North England; Goddards by Lutyens, in Surrey; and the island of Lundy. Recent restorations include Fairbairn Tower built in 1845, and Caverly Old Hall restored at a cost of some £5m. The policy of LT is to repair rather than replace wherever possible. Work is outsourced to experienced craftsmen. There is also a Furnishing team for the interiors, some of which are richly decorated, such as a house by Pugin.
Acquisitions are usually made privately rather than on the open market. The LT doesn’t ‘do’ churches. It prefers to possess properties by a bequest or a long lease.
Once restored, properties are available to rent. They can sleep between one and sixteen people. Rents are from three days to three weeks. Costs can be as little as £35pp/day. The LT ‘likes’ dogs!
The talk was very much enjoyed by the 100+ audience and was followed by questions and rousing applause for the speaker.