Landmark Autumn 13

Autumn 2013

Landmark News

The latest holiday and building restoration news from the Landmark Trust.

New Italian Landmarks in exceptional Renaissance villa

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andmark opened its first Landmark in italy, piazza di Spagna in rome, in 1982. thirty-one years later, we are proud to announce our association with the Fondo Ambiente italiano (FAi), often described as the italian National trust. Founded in 1975, FAi now cares for more than thirty sites. Among them is the stunning Villa dei Vescovi in the Euganean Hills, just 20km southwest of padua and 15km from our Villa Saraceno. As part of an exemplary restoration, FAi created two air-conditioned holiday apartments under the eaves. We have now reached an agreement to let these on their behalf.

© Mauro Ranzani, Villa dei Vescovi, FAI -www.fondoambiente.it

the Villa dei Vescovi means ‘Bishops’ Villa’ and was indeed the summer residence of the Bishops of padua. it was constructed 1535-42, just before a young architect called palladio burst onto the Veneto scene. it represents the pinnacle of pre-palladian

renaissance design, to which famed architects Falconetto, da Valle and Scamozzi all contributed. its natural setting, surrounded by lovely gardens and conical green hills, captures all the qualities sought for villa life, the cultured retreat from busy city life. the main villa is open to the public, and holds exceptional frescoes that famously anticipate the Classical cycles found in palladio’s villas. the apartments are reached by a spiral staircase from the villa’s main rooms.

Mansarda del Frutetto overlooks orchards and Mansarda del Vigneto, vineyards, and we have equipped both as Landmarks.

Visitors have access to the main villa rooms during its opening hours, and privileged access to the wide western loggia and grounds after hours. Staying here will be an incomparable experience, a chance to experience a setting that spoke to some of the finest minds of the italian renaissance.

Inside this issue

2 Best summer ever for wildlife on Lundy

4 New Inn revitalised

6 A critical time for Belmont

8 Astley Castle named Stirling Prize winner

Welcome it is absolutely thrilling to announce that we are starting work this month on the restoration of Belmont in Lyme regis, house of the manufacturer of architectural ornament Eleanor Coade and later the home of John Fowles. Most of you will know about this fascinating house from past newsletters, and many of you have generously contributed to the project, so enabling us to proceed. With over 78% of the appeal target now met, we will work to raise the remainder of the funds over the coming months.

Mrs Coade, like her collaborators robert Adam and William Chambers, worked on buildings both new and old – my own favourite piece of hers being the extraordinary screen she created in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. it was in the same sort of confident old-meets-new spirit that Landmark embarked on its rescue of Astley Castle in Warwickshire, which a few weeks ago won the Stirling prize. i am absolutely thrilled that Astley has been awarded this most prestigious prize. As well as seeing the rescue of an astonishing medieval castle, the scheme shows, as Mrs Coade herself did, that the combination of old buildings and new architecture can be glorious.

Get Involved Have you visited the Get involved pages of our website yet? We’ve reinvigorated our volunteer programme and launched exciting initiatives at our free open Days. in May, county archaeologist Vince russett led popular site tours at Woodspring priory, and artist Simon ryder provided thoughtful, site-specific installations. A big thank you to the volunteers who helped manage the flow of visitors. in July, thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Astley Castle saw our first Living History weekend. Members of ‘richard iii’s army’

Still time to enter our photography & video competitions

entertained visitors with tales of life in the 15th century and weaponry displays. Younger Landmarkers donned their own ‘chain mail’ tunics – knitted by volunteers.

We opened twelve Landmarks for the Heritage open Days weekend in September and are holding a pre-Advent Stir Up weekend at Wilmington priory 21-25 November – traditionally the weekend to ‘stir up’ your Christmas puddings! So do keep an eye on the Get involved webpages, and we hope you’ll join in, too.

A stay in a Landmark is guaranteed to fire the imagination and we have already had some wonderful entries to our Essence of Landmark photography and video competitions – have a look on Youtube/Flickr or follow us on Facebook and twitter to see what’s already in. it’s not too late to enter!

See the Get Involved/Competitions pages on our website for full details

Five romantic Landmarks

Dr Anna Keay, Director Robin Hood’s Hut Halswell, Somerset Sleeps 2

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The Bath House, Nr Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Sleeps 2

The Prospect Tower Faversham, Kent Sleeps 2

Call 01628 825925 Visit www.landmarktrust.org.uk Email bookings@landmarktrust.org.uk

Best summer ever for wildlife on Lundy

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n the air, on the island and in the sea, wildlife on Lundy has been enjoying its best year ever. Managed by the Landmark Trust since 1969, this beautiful island in the Bristol Channel has always been popular with migrating birds, but until ten years ago burrow-nesting birds were being decimated by rats. Working with the National Trust, RSPB and Natural England, a Seabird Recovery Programme was launched and a decade on, a rat-free island is yielding staggering results.

Lundy’s Landmarks are in themselves worth the voyage, but the possibility of enjoying such rich and varied wildlife year round makes a visit to the island even more worthwhile.

If you haven’t yet visited Lundy – now’s the time to do so.

© James Wright

The Manx shearwater population has increased ten-fold to 3,000 breeding pairs. Lundy’s beloved puffins, unofficial island mascots, have increased from 5 to 80 birds, and their nesting sites can be spotted on the cliffs as you approach the island. The numbers of guillemots, razorbills and shags have also increased dramatically. So successful was the Recovery Programme that it has become the template for a similar major project in the Scilly Isles.

In 2010, the clean waters around Lundy led to its designation as the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone. This summer, Lundy’s General Manager Derek Green arranged for wildlife officers from MARINElife, to act as guides on the crossing of the Bristol Channel aboard the MS Oldenburg.

There were chances to see birds aplenty on the trip and on July 6th passengers were treated to an even more exciting display, when a pod of more than fifty common dolphins provided a spectacular escort. These beautiful, hourglass patterned creatures, both adults and calves, spread out in flanking groups, leaping and diving in the wake of the boat.

Harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins are also regular companions to the boat, but the sighting of such a large pod was a very special experience for all who saw it.

Our iPad app will be released soon with interactive maps and easier searching.

The Music Room Sun Street, Lancaster Sleeps 2

The Banqueting House Gibside, Newcastle upon Tyne Sleeps 2

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New Inn revitalised After extensive refurbishment, two Landmarks at New Inn, Peasenhall, Suffolk, have been combined into a single Landmark for eight people, with the central open hall as the now fully heated main living space.

Heating and insulation improvements were a major part of the works to New Inn. In the open hall, the rafters had been left open to the roof tiles, often with glimpses of the sky between and temperatures were consequently glacial in winter. Insulating boards have been individually scribed between these wavy rafters and finished with a very fine plaster skim, so that the ancient timbers can still be read.

Some 1200 terracotta floor pammets were individually numbered and lifted so that the floor could be excavated and underfloor heating elements laid beneath a lime mortar screed. This heating runs on renewable energy, and an air source heat pump has been discreetly installed across the yard at the back. We have also added a woodstove, a more efficient echo of the open hearth that heated the hall in the 15th century.

The cosy snug at the New Inn

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ew Inn dates from the 1460s, when the Abbot of nearby Sibton Abbey conveyed the plot to one John Kempe, on which he built a hallhouse, known by 1478 as the New Inn. This was one of the first buildings rescued

by Landmark, in 1972. Overlooking a picturesque village green, the inn had become dilapidated tenements and been condemned for demolition when we stepped in. Later, we also bought the village green to give its use back to the village. We restored the inn grouping largely to its medieval form and, for the next forty years, New Inn operated as three separate Landmarks. Its spectacular hall, once the heart of the bustling inn, was opened again to its rafters and became a shared space for all three Landmarks, albeit an unheated one.

In recent years, we came to realise that this triple configuration meant the open

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hall was only rarely enjoyed. The time came for a general refurbishment, and we have taken the opportunity to combine High and Low Ends into a single New Inn Landmark, with a new ground floor bedroom for easy access. The Cottage we will release back into residential use.

These combined measures mean everything possible has been done to make the hall a warm and convivial space to enjoy. It now holds a large dining table and comfortable chairs around the woodstove, and stands ready to act as a properly communal space once more.

What you can do from New Inn Peasenhall is in the heart of the fascinating county of Suffolk, where the wealth from the medieval wool trade is apparent in the buildings and churches of almost every village. Inland are the Anglo-Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo, with their excellent museum run by the National Trust. The coast is only ten miles in the opposite direction, with two of England’s most charming seaside towns, Southwold and Aldeburgh, in easy reach. New Inn is the perfect base for music lovers, both for the June Aldeburgh Festival – started by Benjamin Britten – and the year-round concerts at Snape Maltings. In Aldeburgh, look out for Maggi Hambling’s Scallop sculpture on the beach at one end of town – and our own Martello Tower at the other.

Of course, you may choose instead to stay put in your deck chair on the grass, or your armchair by the woodstove, to read from the well-stocked bookcase!

The hall is once again the welcoming heart of the building

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An exciting but critical time for Belmont We are delighted to announce that work will start at Belmont in Lyme Regis this autumn. The building could be ready in 2015, Landmark’s 50th anniversary, but we still need to raise £393,000 to complete the funding for the £1.8m restoration project.

Belmont supporters enjoyed a private tour in September

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his lovely Grade ii* 18th-century house was originally the seaside villa of Mrs Eleanor Coade, inventor and purveyor of an artificial stone widely used throughout the regency period. Later, it was the home of John Fowles, one of Britain’s best regarded 20th century writers.

£ 393,000 still needed to secure Belmont’s future

We have concluded we must start work now to prevent further deterioration to Belmont over another winter. the house itself, already in need of substantial structural attention, has become increasingly fragile. Earlier this year we had to dismantle a dangerous chimney stack and remove part of two of Mrs Coade’s urns from the parapet (discovering, in the process, that they were dated 1782, making them very early examples of her Lambeth manufactory’s wares).

We are so grateful to all the supporters who have helped raise an incredible £1.4million for the restoration, which is now 78% funded.

We still really need your support to fund the balance to complete the project, and open what will be a hugely popular Landmark for you and others to enjoy. Creative writing students will also enjoy study breaks in the house, as John Fowles wanted, and an interpretation room in the old stable block will support free public access to the site.

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Funding for the restoration has come entirely from private donations by individuals and grant-making trusts, for which we are incredibly grateful. the appeal was launched in February 2011 with a very generous donation of £400,000 from the Monument trust. Six Guardians of Belmont, donors of £6,000 or more, who enjoy privileged access to the site and project team, have together contributed £225,000. A further 1,050 individuals have made donations, raising a fantastic £101,000 to date, including £30,000 from 23 patrons, many of whom attended a Director’s Lunch at Belmont in September.

Numerous grant-making trusts have contributed, including £100,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and in June a trust made a hugely generous donation of £500,000.

All our efforts are now directed at a final push to find the remaining funds needed for Belmont. We thank all of you who have contributed to the appeal so far, and urge others to consider donating something, however small, to help close this gap.

The rusting cast iron dowels had cracked two of the urns

You can donate via our website, or call 01628 825920, or by post to “Belmont Appeal” at our usual address. We will be so grateful.

You can donate online at www.landmarktrust.org.uk, or call us on 01628 825920.

The Landmark Fund: facing the unpredictable together The Landmark Fund is an ongoing appeal to help us respond to the unexpected in the care of our historic buildings. Climate change and exceptional one-off conservation repair needs can be difficult to predict, however careful our forward planning, and often demand specialist skills.

Since the Fund was launched in 2011, over £263,000 has been donated in support of a variety of projects at Landmarks. This year, the generosity of these supporters has enabled us to carry out emergency repairs to a collapsed dry stone wall at The West Banqueting House, repair and clean the magnificent baroque plasterwork at The Music Room, and in August, repair the banks of Repton’s watercourses at Endsleigh. Thank you to all who supported this work through the Fund, including a number of Patrons who were especially generous.

This year has brought a whole new set of challenges that we hope the Landmark Fund will help us resolve. After being damaged in one of the worst storms in a generation, The Shore Cottages in

Caithness need repairs to make them more resilient. The ha-ha at Goddards is bowing and in danger of collapse.

The Pineapple’s carved stone fruit needs expert conservation repair, and hedges in the ancient landscape we own around Stockwell Farm need relaying.

The Shore Cottages were affected by the worst storms in 100 years

The Landmark Fund supports the survival of traditional skills, and the highest standards in building conservation. Visit ‘Support Us’ on our website to see how even a small contribution to The Landmark Fund can make a difference.

Repairing Repton’s watercourses at Endsleigh

A gift that keeps on giving While most of our buildings are let for holidays, many of you may not be aware that Landmark’s work is also supported by our Legacy Estate. These are well-loved buildings that have passed into our stewardship in the knowledge that we can be relied upon to care for them and retain their essential character. Many come to us as legacies and are then managed by us as tenanted property, a solution that both provides us with a valuable and reliable income stream, and allows such buildings to continue to fulfil their role as residential property in a local community.

One recent example is Forge House in Wadhurst in Kent. This Grade II, 17th-century half-timbered cottage was bequeathed to Landmark by siblings Robin Watts and his sister Dorothy Watts, who lived together at the property for many years, and were loyal Landmark supporters. Their bequest included some furniture and repair funds for the house. Now let to tenants, Forge House guarantees a handsome annual contribution to Landmark’s coffers.

We will always work with donors in such cases, both to understand their wishes and explain our approach with gifts of property.

If you would like to find out more about how your house might become part of the Landmark Legacy Estate, please contact Linda Millard on 01628 512122 or visit the Support Us pages on our website.

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Astley Castle named Stirling Prize winner We are delighted that Astley Castle has been named as the Stirling prize winner for 2013. the prestigious architectural competition, run by the royal institute of British Architects, celebrates the best building of the year by a British architect. our Director, Anna Keay, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled that Astley Castle has been awarded this very important prize, and hope it will encourage others to consider imaginative solutions for important historic buildings.

Congratulations to all at WWM and to everyone who worked on the project.”

Astley Castle is a new departure, both for the Landmark trust but also in the approach to ruined historic buildings. our brief asked the architects to come up with a bold new way of reviving a derelict medieval castle. WWM’s approach is utterly contemporary and yet in real harmony with the historic fabric.

As a result a really important building that seemed beyond salvation has been given a whole new life.

the project was made possible thanks to the support of many individuals and institutions, including the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage. the castle has been saved from ruination and can now be enjoyed by everyone: through short stays when available (it is booked up until 2015), at one of our open days or by exploring the trail around this incredible site.

Trustee News

Tell your friends about us!

And we welcome Dr Nicola Nicholls, LVo, as a Landmark trustee. Nicola is a former research chemist and fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and has a professional background in private Equity.

As Chairman of the Woodland trust and holder of a number of non-executive directorships, Nicola brings a wealth of relevant experience to the Board.

Shottesbrooke Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3SW www.landmarktrust.org.uk Charity registered in England & Wales 243312 and Scotland SC039205

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Somewhat to our surprise, people often describe the Landmark trust as a well-kept secret. Well, we’d like everyone to know about us. So if you have enjoyed a holiday or like following our work, please do spread the word by forwarding our e-Newsletters – or indeed by sharing your printed Newsletter with them, or tell your friends on Facebook.

Sign up to receive our Newsletters by email on our website under News & Events/Email sign up

Meet Sharon Campbell in May, we welcomed Sharon Campbell as our Customer operations Manager. Sharon manages both our Bookings Enquiries team at Shottesbrooke and works closely with the regional property Managers out in the field. this newly created role provides an essential and direct link between life at Head office and our property staff. Using her experience in the airline industry, Sharon deals with all aspects of your experience in our buildings, making sure that all our standards are met, whether of comfort or safety.

Sharon is as likely to be out in a Landmark as at her desk, either way usually accompanied by her Dalmatian, penny!

© Mauro Ranzani, Villa dei Vescovi, FAI -www.fondoambiente.it

in June, we were sad to see the retirement from the trustee Board of Alec Hamilton, one of our longest serving trustees. Alec and his wife Susan had been loyal Landmarkers and enthusiastic Landmark Friends for many years before Alec joined the trustees in 2002, bringing special expertise in marketing as well as an effective voice as a seasoned Landmarker. We thank him for all his hard work. Alec continues as a trustee of Landmark trust (Auchinleck) Ltd.