Aims & Undertakings
Colonel Lancaster, who had been the owner of the Kelmarsh Hall Estate since 1924, set about placing the Hall and most of the estate in perpetuity to a trust in the 1970s but he died in 1977 leaving the blueprint for the Trust to his sister. Miss Lancaster pursued her brother's wish and the Kelmarsh Trust was established in 1982. On her death in 1996 and under her will the whole of the estate passed to the Trust.
The stated aim of the eight trustees is to pursue the wishes of the Kelmarsh Trust's benefactors in the 21st century by:
- Maintaining and managing Kelmarsh Hall Estate as a traditional yet innovative, working country estate.
- Pursuing sound financial management to safeguard the long-term future of Kelmarsh Hall Estate.
- Conserving all features of the built environment, designed, historic and natural landscape, and all wildlife which are of national, regional or local significance and managing them according to best practice.
- Stimulating interest in the historic and aesthetic aspects of the hall and its surroundings, and encouraging the understanding and appreciation of the history, purpose and management of a large traditional country estate
The Trust has agreed a number of undertakings with the Inland Revenue which can be viewed at www.hmrc.gov.uk/cto:
- Reasonable steps will be taken for the maintenance, repair and preservation of the property.
- Access will be granted to the general public for 30 days per annum between April and September including the Easter and August Bank Holidays.
- We will notify the Capital Taxes Office immediately possession of all or any part of the designated buildings or land is relinquished whether by sale, gift or otherwise.
The charitable aims of the Trust are set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of The Kelmarsh Trust (25th August 1982):
- To preserve for the benefit of the nation buildings of national historic or architectural interest together with their contents and surroundings and to make them available for study and appreciation.
- To run the estate in accordance with the principle of good estate management.
- To maintain an agricultural community.
- To maintain the character and scenic beauty of the landscape.
- To improve the land and buildings on a long-term rolling programme.
- To encourage the study of natural history and nature conservation on appropriate parts of the estate.
Please click here to download the Gift Aid Form.
Charity Registration Number 295154
