Friends of Elvaston - News Update

PARTNERS SOUGHT FOR ELVASTON CASTLE PLANS

No one can doubt the commitment of the Friends of Elvaston in our determination to try and find suitable ways of securing a viable and sustainable future for Elvaston Castle Country Park and, in doing so, ensuring that the options which are available work towards the general benefit of everyone who uses the Estate. Over the past year our partnership with Social Enterprise East Midlands, under the capable stewardship of its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Moors, has enabled us to gain a far greater insight into the difficulties which Derbyshire County Council is faced with in terms of the ever diminishing resources currently faced by local authorities and the impact which this is having on listed buildings nationwide. However, with the guidance of SEEM, its experience of solving such issues via community involvement and in line with the recent Localism Bill, both Derbyshire County Council and the Friends of Elvaston have now been provided with the opportunity to find fresh and invigorating ways of resolving what had previously become a difficult local concern. The fact that this has now been recognised nationally, at Government level, is a major and positive step forwards and that (in line with our heading) partners to carry our plans along are now being sought. At December 2012, we could not wish for a better item of Christmas news for the community. Please read the following press release highlighting these changes;

Social Enterprise East Midlands, which has played a key role in shaping exciting community proposals for Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire, welcomes news that the plans have won significant new support.

New legislation passed through the Localism Act gives communities the right to bid to buy buildings or land to protect local spaces and amenities.

Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) has been brokering discussions between Derbyshire County Council and the Friends of Elvaston Castle about a possible “right to bid” for the entire 316-acre estate, which is currently owned by the council.

The project is one of only five across the country identified as ‘exceptional and significant’ and is to be supported by the organisation Locality, as it promotes the principles of Community Right to Bid (CRTB). The Locality Brokers Project is supported by the Ł10m Innovation in Giving Fund, managed by Nesta. It was launched in September 2011 by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society as part of a Ł34million package to increase levels of social action.

SEEM guides and supports social businesses in the region, which work and invest their profits for social benefit. It was SEEM which registered the Elvaston Castle proposal with Locality, the national network of community organisations which has been tasked to help support the new community rights.

SEEM'S Chief Executive Roger Moors is now seeking potential partners to make a CRTB proposal for Elvaston Castle a reality. He said:

“This can be the springboard to creating a new body that can realistically bid for Elvaston Castle, revitalising the estate while maintaining public access to it. It can have a sustainable future by developing a range of social businesses there. What I’m looking for is a cross section of business and community leaders who share this vision.

“A viable solution can only come through cross sector collaboration, so this as much about finding leading players from the private sector as it is about engaging with interested parties locally.”

SEEM is now pursuing feasibility funding to support the development of the CRTB plan for Elvaston Castle. It is has also been in discussions with a range of potential partners over the course of the last six months.

Roger Moors can be contacted on Roger.moors@seem.uk.net0115 900 3299.

We'd like to hear from anyone who attended the craft conservation and preservation classes at Elvaston Castle on Sunday, December 1st. It is important that as many people as possible learn these skills and techniques and it is to be hoped that the recent increase in restoration in general, particularly the resurrection of the Victorian and Edwardian terraces which have previously been bulldozed to make way for expensive brick shoe boxes, continues to rise. The Heritage Skills Hub is to be congratulated for choosing Elvaston Castle as a venue and we would like to see this event herald the beginning of many similar activities in the future. Apparently, lime mortar is a very versatile material and softer and more pliable than cement, that is why it is more suitable for use with natural stone and terracotta. Whatever the technicalities are it is good to learn that there are still people who can pass on their knowledge and skills in such matters to others.

There is a treat at Elvaston Castle on Saturday, December 1st, for all of those who are interested in craft conservation and preservation connected with heritage buildings and their structures, including traditional techniques of using lime mortar, sash window and Victorian tile restoration, roofing, stonemasonry etc., The event has been organised by The Heritage Skills Hub and the free craft demonstrations will be held in the Castle courtyard between 10:00am and 3:30pm. For those interested in a more in-depth knowledge of the subjects there are seminars in The Gothic Hall. For these there is an admission fee. At 11:00am, there is 'Appropriate Selection and use of Lime Plasters, by the expert and author Stafford Holmes, whilst at 2:00pm is a 'History of Plastering', by the world renowned master of the art, Jeff Orton. Tickets for these are Ł10 in advance, or Ł15 on the door. Trainees and apprentices can get in for Ł5. At 3:15 until 4:45pm there is a networking event for professionals in the trade. Admission to this event is Ł10 and includes a complimentary drink and mince pie. These events are very welcome and let us hope that they are the success that they deserve to be and that more will follow. They have been organised by the Heritage Skills Hub, in support of the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance. For further details and to make advance bookings, you can contact the Heritage Skills Hub at;

https://bookwhen.com/heritageskillshub and www.heritageskillshub.org

This event isn't far away so it might be an idea to make an advance booking now!

Beginning on Wednesday, September 19th (2012), starting at 10:00am, Nordic Walking sessions are being organised for those who wish to use Elvaston Castle Country Park for two of the best possible opportunities readily available to all visitors - health and recreation. Described as being ' a great way to get some exercise whilst exploring the paths and trails of the Country Park', this is an ideal chance to get toned up, whether you're a regular exerciser or a couch potato. Apparently, Nordic Walking incorporates the use of (ski type) poles and helps to burn up to 46% more calories than normal walking and is good for the lower back, shoulders and knees. The cost is Ł3 per session for pole hire or Ł1.50 if you bring your own. For more information contact Lewis Adams, Physical Activity Officer for South Derbyshire District Council, on 07989 140980.

We are pleased to announce that we have now acquired a Paypal Donate button to enable anyone who wishes to contribute to our funds to do so quickly and easily. There are two buttons in fact and you can use either of them, one is at the top left corner of the site's index page (the first page that comes up when you enter the Friends website). Directly underneath this is a link entitled 'Funding Appeal', which will take you to a page which explains the following and contains the other button;

Your contributions and help and support for our fund raising efforts means a great deal in helping us to try and ensure a sustainable future for Elvaston Castle Country Park. It isn't just professional advice that can be costly, but printing, IT, stationery and postage costs too. Remember, we all give our time and endeavours voluntarily because we love Elvaston Castle and do not want to lose it. However, if we are to be successful in this quest it will require the combined efforts of the entire community. We believe that we can turn the tide, given sufficient backing. Please do all that you can to ensure that future generations enjoy the Park in the same way that we have done. All financial contributions to our cause help us to continue to work for Elvaston's future and to try and ensure that every part of Elvaston Castle Country Park, including the House and Gardens, continues to be open and available for the enjoyment and recreational pursuits of the entire community. Thanking you, The Friends of Elvaston (November 2012).

The other 'Donate' button is at the bottom of this page. From the Funding Appeal page you can either donate directly via Paypal account or credit card, or our bank details are on the page if you would rather donate via your local bank.

We cannot overstate the importance of the continued support of the community in our strive to save and restore Elvaston Castle Country Park. You can help us now by donating whatever you can afford to our cause. Please remember that we are all volunteers and membership of the group is free so your support is important to us.

The Essential Repairs Report for Elvaston Castle Country Park, commissioned by Derbyshire County Council and paid for by English Heritage, was published some time ago. The Report is very complex and detailed and puts the complete restoration cost at around Ł6.42 million. The cost of restoring the Castle itself is approximately Ł1.6 million. The repairs cost could be spread over a period of time by mothballing some parts whilst restoring others. Nottingham City Council has just managed to acquire over Ł9 million of funding for the restoration of Wollaton Hall and Ł5.1 million for restoring Forest Recreation Ground, which is an admirable and worthy effort by a local authority, especially in the current financial climate. If there is funding available which we can help to locate and draw down on for the benefit of Elvaston Castle then obviously we will go all out to do so.



Home ---------------------About Us ---------------------Support / Join Us---------------------Contact Us