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ANNUAL REPORT 2013/2014

H I S T O R I C H O U S E S A S S O C I A T I O N

HHA

Preserving and promoting Britain’s private heritage since 1973

PatronThe Earl of Leicester, cbe, dl

President Richard Compton, dl

Deputy President William Parente

Honorary Treasurer James Birch

Director General Nicholas Way

Director of Operations Peter Sinclair

Director of Policy and CampaignsFrances Garnham

Head of Marketing and Communications Laura Bogard

Technical Adviser Robert Parker, dl

Public Affairs Richard Jukes

Development ManagerNeil Matthews

Finance Officer Jane Seymour

Policy Officer John Brazier

Communications OfficerHolly Crabbe

PA to the Director General Beverly Simpson

Assistant to the Director of Operations Sigrid Gaimster

HHA Scotland Co-ordinatorLois Bayne-Jardine

Consultants Norman Hudson, obe

Fiona Attenborough

Images

Cover, main: Harewood House, Yorkshire, provided a suitably historic backdrop for the ‘Grand Départ’ of the Tour de France.

Cover, top left to right: A wedding at Fonmon Castle, Wales.

Rhododendrons in the Rhododendron Walks at Bowood Gardens in Wiltshire, Winner of the HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award.

Mellerstain House and Gardens, Berwickshire. Scotland has been centre stage in the news this year.

Opposite page, from top: A view from above The Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth in July, attended by 50,000 people. Headline acts included Iron Maiden, Metallica and The Prodigy.

The World Marmalade Awards & Festival 2014 took place in March at Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens in Cumbria.

Children play at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire.

Company Limited by GuaranteeRegistered in England and WalesRegistered Number 2001057Registered Office: 2 Chester Street, London SW1X 7BB

Designwww.levelpartnership.co.ukSpecialists in graphic design for historic houses

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WELCOME TO THE 2014HHA ANNUAL REPORT

Introduction 2

President’s Foreword 3

Policy and Action 4

Visitor Survey 2013 8

HHA Awards 10

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 12

Taxation 14

Learning and Outreach 16

Tourism and Marketing 18

HHA Membership and Services 22

New Members 24

HHA Friends 26

The Accounts 27

HHA Committees 30

Regional Committees 30

Charitable Activities 32

Supporting the HHA 33

Historic Houses Association2 Chester StreetLondon SW1X 7BBTelephone: 020 7259 5688Email: info@hha.org.uk Website: www.hha.org.uk

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@Historic_Houses

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We have sought to retain a sharp focus over the past year on our priorities: lobbying and advice to keep properties viable, promoting tourism to HHA properties and raising the profile of the HHA and its Member properties. All help the public and politicians to appreciate the value of historic houses to the country as a whole.

Our lobbying work is highlighted in the President’s Foreword, opposite, and in the Policy and Action pages that follow.

Robert Parker’s role as Technical Adviser continues to be wide ranging. He and Norman Hudson have made nine visits this year to individual owners to give commercial audits, increasingly when a family succession is involved.

Members’ interest in succession and inheritance was demonstrated by a record attendance of over 170 at an HHA seminar at Knebworth House in May, prompting calls for a repeat.

A successful seminar on security was held at Knowsley Hall in October 2013 and a seminar on Gardens and Managed Landscapes, at Hagley Hall in September 2014, was sold out by late August. These events clearly meet a demand from Members to learn, share experiences and hear from expert speakers.

The Members’ Area of the HHA website has been redesigned to make it easier for owners to access practical guidance. Examples of updated advice include registering as a film location, raising the profile of smaller attractions and managing visitor safety.

The HHA’s Learning Advisory Service, launched in 2006, was reviewed this summer. The review found that more than 100 properties had received advisory visits, and had gone on to attract educational visits and that Members with experience in running educational programmes had generously given time and advice to others considering such initiatives. We have put similar efforts into initiatives to promote tourism to HHA properties via:

● the launch of website trails: to show the involvement of historic houses and their communities in wartime and to showcase art and sculpture at HHA properties● the improved presentation of wedding, accommodation and conference venues on the website and sharper Search Engine Optimisation. Over 40,000 people now visit the HHA website each month

● a second Telegraph promotion of participating properties in the spring; at the same time we distributed a new map to our Friends of all HHA properties open to day visitors● joining UKinbound, the organisation which puts UK attractions and accommodation providers in touch with travel companies bringing visitors to the UK. This move has already sparked interest among such companies in working with the HHA and HHA Members● a pilot initiative in August and September to encourage National Trust Members to visit 13 participating HHA properties in the South East and Thames and Chilterns.

We have also raised our profile. The HHA’s video, launched at the 2013 AGM, is available on the VisitEngland website, is being made available to Tourism Information Centres and is being shown on a new cable TV channel in the USA.

We have entered the world of Facebook and Twitter, a valuable way to remind people of the breadth of the HHA’s portfolio and work, and have enhanced our visibility through articles in the media and via TV interviews. We also introduced a monthly email newsletter to owners and another for Friends of the HHA.

The HHA has surveyed its 38,000 Friends and undertaken a number of initiatives to improve recruitment and retention. The survey confirmed, amongst other things, that the great majority of Friends’ visits to HHA properties would not have taken place if the Friends’ scheme did not exist. This means that most Friends’ visits supplement rather than replace full price entry and any spending by Friends in the café or shop is additional.

The survey is guiding our work on recruitment and retention and our Development Manager, Neil Matthews, has reviewed existing work and promotions and developed new partnerships, for example with the John Lewis Group.

For the first time, it has been possible for Friends to book some tours online, in a pilot in three regions. If the results prove successful, we shall expand online booking more widely in 2015.

Much done, but much more to do…

INTRODUCTION

Nicholas WayDirector General

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Representing the needs and concerns of historic houses and gardens to government has taken centre stage in the HHA’s activities over the last year.

With the political parties preparing for the Election earlier than usual, because the date is known, the HHA published its own ‘manifesto’, Heritage Means Business – Enabling Britain’s Inspirational Places to Meet New Challenges, in March. The launch, in the House of Commons, was hosted by John Whittingdale MP, the Chairman of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and attracted 50 MPs, Peers and representatives of heritage organisations.

Our Member Survey had already shown the public benefits provided by HHA Member properties: 60% welcoming public visitors; others offering venues for conferences, social events and concerts; nearly 25% hosting weddings; 54% hosting charity or community events; and 25% providing educational programmes. In the process 26,000 jobs and 52,000 businesses are supported.

Heritage Means Business proposes four key measures: ● removal of excess regulation● fulfilment of the potential of Lottery funding● secure heritage protection and advice● a better balanced tax framework for privately owned historic house businesses

I am very grateful to all those Regional Chairmen, individual Members and Friends who have reinforced our actions at national level by taking up these proposals with their local MPs. The campaign will continue until the General Election and beyond.

In the last 12 months we have submitted two substantial papers to DCMS Ministers on the fragility of many historic house businesses.

The restriction on Sideways Loss Relief introduced in 2013 tilted the economic scales further to the disadvantage of unincorporated historic house businesses, compared to charitably owned heritage or more general trading businesses. Up to 70 historic houses could fail in the next three to five years, with serious knock on effects locally and nationally and for our cultural heritage.

We still have a unique asset in the UK – lived in, family owned, historic houses – from which the whole population benefits, but which has been put at serious risk. We have offered a practical and cost-effective solution to restore the balance between the obligations on historic houses to offer access and other

public benefits and the ability of these unique places to operate successfully as businesses.

In 2013 we set out for the Scottish Government the many and far reaching implications for heritage of independence in anticipation of a possible Yes vote. However, we have not lost sight of the important issues over which Scotland already has devolved powers. Land Reform, community land purchase and the merger of Historic Scotland with the Royal Commission could affect historic houses as well as the wider rural economy. We work closely with Scottish Land and Estates in coordinating our submissions to government and representing our Members.

We have consciously devoted significant resource to Scotland in the last year, because Scotland’s 212 historic houses and gardens deserve our support and are of critical importance to the future of the country, but also because measures adopted north of the border also affect houses, individuals and businesses elsewhere in the UK. We will keep all our Members closely in touch with developments over the coming months.

In England, the HHA united with the 90 other organisations in the Heritage Alliance to press for a clear government commitment to resource the new Historic England securely, when it takes over the regulatory, advisory and grant-giving functions of English Heritage in 2015. We played an active role in the Alliance’s manifesto, launched in July and have greatly appreciated the support of its chairman, Loyd Grossman and other Alliance Members, such as the National Trust, in calling for a positive tax regime for maintenance and conservation of historic buildings.

Historic houses are fortunate to have Michael Tree and Brooke Boothby as doughty and respected advocates in Wales, where heritage legislation is undergoing review, and our staff tirelessly promote the concerns of historic houses on planning, tourism signs, regulation and fire safety across the UK.

Throughout the year we have retained a clear focus: to help owners conserve historic houses and gardens for the future, to promote heritage tourism and to increase public awareness of the HHA and its unique portfolio of Member properties. The following pages show in more detail how we are achieving these objectives.

PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD

Richard Compton, DLPresident

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Heritage Means BusinessThe HHA’s policy statement, ‘Heritage Means Business - Enabling Britain’s Inspirational Places to Meet New Challenges’, was launched on 24 March in the House of Commons. The event was sponsored by the Chairman of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, John Whittingdale MP, who was one of the speakers and attended by MPs, Peers and representatives of heritage organisations.

The statement focuses on the value of privately-owned historic houses to Britain, the challenges these houses face and what must be done to ensure that the nation benefits fully from them. In spite of the importance of privately-owned heritage to Britain and the British economy, owners face severe challenges in maintaining and conserving the country’s historic environment. The backlog of urgent repairs at HHA Member houses in 2013 reached more than £750m, a massive increase on the figure of £390m in 2009, while the amount available to spend on repairs has fallen. Meanwhile, owners have had to withstand the imposition of a cap on Sideways Loss Relief and the removal of VAT concessions on alterations to listed buildings.

The key proposals, to help safeguard the future of privately-owned historic houses, which the HHA put forward in Heritage Means Business are the removal of excess regulation; fulfilling the potential of Lottery funding; securing heritage protection and advice; and a better balanced tax framework for privately owned historic house businesses.

Around 3,000 copies of ‘Heritage Means Business’ in print and PDF formats have been widely distributed across the country to MPs, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and others. HHA Members have been encouraged to invite MPs, in particular, to visit their houses to see at first hand the value of historic houses and the challenges that they face.

A pdf version of the policy statement is available at www.hha.org.uk/our-policies/heritage-means-business.html

PlanningThe HHA has consistently expressed concern that the reduced detail in the historic environment section of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), compared to Planning Policy Statement 5, would lead to a lack of clarity and inconsistent implementation. Amongst others, the protracted case of Lyveden New Bield, where the Court of Appeal and the High Court overturned a planning inspector’s approval for a wind turbine development close to a Grade 1 listed property, suggests uncertainty remains.

The HHA remains concerned about the aggressive manner in which housing schemes are being pursued following the introduction of the NPPF and the clear presumption in favour of development proposals. It should be made clear to applicants that developments which adversely affect the settings of historic sites will not be approved, except in exceptional circumstances and that this applies to applications for energy infrastructure as much as housing, so that government renewable energy targets do not supersede the protections provided to listed buildings.

In addition, applicants will need to follow the planning practice guide drawn up by the Historic Environment Forum, of which the HHA is a part, in consultation with English Heritage. The guide deals with all the practical elements of the implementation of the National Planning Policy Framework and will, when published, be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website. The Alpha (post-consultation) version of the national guidance to support the NPPF was published in March. However, the PPS 5 Practice Guide will continue to provide guidance until the publication of the Historic Environment Forum’s Good Practice Advice.

HHA President Richard Compton speaks at the launch of policy statement Heritage Means Business at the House of Commons in March

POLICY AND ACTION

H I S T O R I C H O U S E S A S S O C I A T I O N

HHAThreats to our heritage

The public benefits provided by historic houses, whether in terms of people and communities or tourism and the wider economy, are dependent on the viability of these properties. However, the conservation of listed buildings is an expensive business, as specialist labour and materials are needed to meet the standards of heritage regulation. Costs of conservation and compliance with regulation (including on health and safety and fire safety) have risen faster than incomes from visiting. The backlog of outstanding repairs to independently owned historic houses is now becoming critical. The 2013 HHA member survey reveals that the bill for urgent, essential repairs to member houses now exceeds £750 million (up from £390 million in 2009). At the same time, the findings show that the amount now spent annually on repairs has fallen, by £37m per year over the same period, to £102 million10.

Meanwhile, owners work within an increasingly unfavourable tax framework.

In 2012 VAT was imposed on alterations to listed buildings and the following year a cap was imposed on Sideways Loss Relief (SLR).

The cap has had a disproportionate impact on unincorporated historic house businesses, because they are taxed differently from historic houses owned in charities – such as the new English Heritage or the National Trust – which pay no income tax (or Inheritance Tax), or companies which have greater flexibility to spread costs. They are also taxed differently from other integrated business within the economy.

Transferring ownership to companies or charities is not an option for many owners, either because of the capital gains tax charge or because of the loss of ability to take bold and long-term decisions. If ownership were transferred on a large scale the unique character that is provided by private ownership, and which is so loved by visitors, would be lost.

These unincorporated historic house businesses – there are about 350 of them in the UK – constitute the greater part of Britain’s heritage of lived-in historic houses. Typically, they are part of broader businesses, encompassing related enterprises, but managed as one. These related enterprises generate additional income which is then used to help support the maintenance of the historic house.

The problem is that the tax system requires the historic house business, farming and letting all to be taxed separately, with the result that the costs of the historic house part of the overall business cannot be set against the income from the others.

SLR enabled unincorporated historic house businesses to set exceptional losses against income from outside the business. The relief has been capped at £50,000 (or 25% of total income) and this does not go far when compared to the cost of a new roof or against the effects of a poor summer like 2012.

Many of these 350 key historic house businesses are now finding it extremely

The HHA is looking for recognition, by all political parties, of the contribution the independent heritage sector makes to the success and well-being of the nation, and the very real threats to the future of our historic environment and the benefits delivered.

1. Removing excess regulationThe HHA calls on government to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Tourism Regulation Task Force. We urge the government to encourage, enable and support tourism and hospitality businesses and ensure that tourism signs are used strategically to assist heritage visitor attractions.

2. Fulfilling the potential of Lottery fundingThe Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) does a remarkable job and heritage should remain one of the good causes in the National Lottery after 2019. Broadening eligibility and raising the ceiling on grants awarded within the ‘Our Heritage ‘ programme (available to privately owned heritage) would help fulfil. the HLF’s potential to support all forms of heritage and to deliver benefits to the public.

3. Securing heritage protection and adviceMajor changes are taking place in the way that government agencies and local authorities across the UK deliver heritage protection and related services. It is essential that the provision of expert advice to owners and local authorities is sustained and that the already diminished budgets for restoration grants are not further reduced.

The HHA calls for confirmation that resourcing of all these services will be safeguarded when the new Historic England replaces the heritage protection functions of English Heritage in 2015.

Proposals

4. A fair tax framework for privately owned historic house businesses

● Either, the removal of the cap on Sideways Loss Relief (SLR) in relation to historic house businesses would enable these businesses to survive and would cost no more than £10m per year, before positive account is taken of the additional tax revenue that would follow.

● Or, the alternative would be the introduction of a tax regime that allowed unincorporated historic house businesses to pool income and costs from the related economic activities that are managed in common within the overall integrated business.

● Any potential Mansion Tax must not drain historic houses of the funds desperately needed for their maintenance. There must be heritage exemptions, including for historic houses opening their doors to pay-at-the-gate visitors, weddings, tours, charitable community or other events.

● There is also a strong case for reducing VAT on repairs to older residential buildings. Conservation of such buildings (in place of new build) minimises carbon emissions and preserves the character of our communities.

Historic Houses Association2 Chester Street, London SW1X 7BBTelephone 020 7259 5688email: info@hha.org.ukwww.hha.org.uk© 2014

Heritage Means BusinessEnabling Britain’s Inspirational Places to meet new challenges

difficult to fund essential annual maintenance, let alone the costs of major restoration. This contrasts with the position in the English Heritage portfolio, where the Government is, rightly, providing additional support – £52m – for much needed maintenance.

If private owners have to close parts of the property, for safety reasons, the cultural and tourism value of their houses will decline – a vicious circle. Should their businesses fail or be sold and then close, the effects on local employment and incomes will be multiplied, in fragile rural economies. The closure of Torosay Castle, on Mull, quickly led to the closure of the nearby tourist railway and ancillary shops.

There is no relief from national and local government’s red tape, either. The need for regulation is not in dispute, but excessive or inappropriate regulation undermines the viability of many historic houses, particularly those which depend upon tourism revenue. Successive governments have promised much on deregulation, but there is still a great deal left to do.

Left

Major repairs at Kinross, Kinross-shire

Right

Bowood House in Wiltshire

10 HHA Member Survey (2013)

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High Speed 2Eight HHA Members are likely to be significantly affected by the route of Phase One and Phase Two of the proposed High Speed 2 railway (HS2) and the HHA has responded to four consultations on High Speed 2 since December 2013, to protect Members’ interests.

At present the compensation scheme for owners affected by the route of HS2 does not benefit enough of those affected, nor is it timely enough and the HHA submissions made these points. On the question of the route, the HHA response pointed out the commitment of the Transport Secretary in January 2012 to protect historic sites and the need for proper environmental mitigation for HHA Member houses, initially on the London to Birmingham section.

There is some concern that the recent focus on the economic viability of HS2 may have an adverse effect on expenditure on environmental mitigation measures, as well as on the property compensation schemes necessary to provide a measure of protection to HHA Member houses. The HHA will continue to monitor the situation closely.

English Heritage New ModelThe HHA has responded to proposals for major changes to English Heritage, involving a division of responsibilities between a new body, Historic England, which will provide the publicly-funded advisory service, and a new independent charity which will be responsible for the ‘national collection’ of historic sites. The charity will be established with an £82m Government endowment.

The HHA has welcomed the Government’s acknowledgement of the need to invest in conservation of the historic environment, but pointed out that outside the publicly-funded sector, HHA houses alone are facing a backlog of repairs of more than £600 million in England alone. It is important that the proposed changes are neither a move towards the creation of a monopoly of heritage tourism provision, nor that there is ‘cherry-picking’, whereby the requirement on the new charity to break-even results in investment in revenue-generating sites like Stonehenge, while those sites which do not generate revenue are neglected. Historic England, the national heritage protection service, must be insulated from the fortunes of the charity and must not be permitted to start charging for services which are currently free of charge.

Aircraft MovementsThe HHA contributed to the Airport Commission’s consultations on airport expansion, concerning blighting of historic places by aircraft movements. We pressed for heritage to be specifically protected against this, which can affect their cultural, historic and economic value and people’s enjoyment of them.

TourismEvidence suggests that the UK’s visitor economy is making a tentative recovery and it was made clear at the Annual National Conference of Visitor Attractions that heritage is still a key part of the UK’s tourism offer. However, the need for historic houses to remain up to date with recent developments such as flexible pricing, visitor access to wi-fi and ensuring website compatibility for mobile devices, were emphasised at VisitEngland’s (VE) Visitor Economy Conference in December last year.

The HHA has been working closely with VE on the issue of local Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), which have replaced local tourist boards. The HHA was invited to speak at the Destination Management Forum in Lincoln in October and will work with VE to ensure that Member houses can develop useful relationships with their local DMO.

The HHA has also contributed to the House of Commons Inquiry into Tourism in the UK and the Cabinet Office’s Triennial Review into VisitEngland (VE) and VisitBritain (VB). We support both, which have met their government targets on increasing inbound and UK domestic tourism. However, there is concern about the effects of a lack of funding for both organisations, not least to support Destination Management Organisations, which promote local and regional tourism. One-off funding schemes are no substitute for proper core funding when it comes to sustainable tourism support.

Solar panels installed at Tissington Hall in Derbyshire. The HHA continues to provide advice and support on energy issues and particularly renewable sources

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Heritage Lottery FundThe HHA, together with the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF)Regional Development Teams, has held two seminars – in Yorkshire and the South East – for Members needing help and guidance with the HLF processes.

A key part of the seminars, which looked at HLF’s rule change to allow capital projects from private owners to be eligible for funding, explored the central requirement for a step change in public access and engagement. The seminars also looked at the detail of actually making an application; this is an area which can prove difficult for independent historic houses which may not have a great deal of experience in this area or staff or resources to go through the process. The HHA is very grateful to HLF staff who also produced additional guidance for our Members.

Tourism Brown SignsThe Brown Signs Task Force, which was convened in 2011 to review the existing criteria for the provision of brown tourist signs, has submitted its recommendations to Ministers. The HHA has supported the Government’s Tourism Strategy proposals to reformulate the rules on existing brown tourist signs to give a “helping hand” to tourism. The HHA and individual Member properties have been closely involved with the Task Force’s review on the existing criteria and has provided many case studies illustrating inconsistencies in decisions and interpretations.

The HHA supports the proposal to include a new definition of a tourism destination to separate genuine tourist attractions from those businesses with a purely commercial interest. The HHA has long been concerned that shops, garden centres, retail parks and, in some cases, fast food outlets have been awarded signs, which dilute their effectiveness and confuse visitors.

VisitEngland is currently undertaking further work to develop the criteria for the provision of tourist signs on the strategic network; local authorities will be expected to follow these criteria in signage on roads under their control. The HHA also supports the proposal for VisitEngland to be consulted by the Highways Agency on individual applications where a knowledge of the business needs of the tourism industry would be beneficial, although VisitEngland will need to be resourced to undertake this role.

Kirklinton Hall in Cumbria has successfully been awarded brown signs

Fire SafetyThe Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has set up a South East task group (covering Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Royal Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex) to examine training and good practice on fire risk management in heritage properties and responses to unvalidated fire alarms from business premises. HHA Members have been working positively with Kent Fire and Rescue Service to widen its policy of accepting unvalidated calls, although it has refused our request for a derogation for listed properties.

In November 2013, award-winning national art museum Compton Verney in Warwickshire received initial support from the HLF to preserve, restore and celebrate the outstanding ‘Capability’ Brown park, which includes a rare, Brown-designed and Grade I-listed Chapel.

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POLICY AND ACTION

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Alcohol LicensingThe HHA has lobbied over a number of years for a lighter regulatory touch for businesses and individuals selling small amounts of alcohol as part of a wider offering. The Home Office has responded positively and will be introducing a Community and Ancillary Sellers Notice (CAN); this will mean that community groups and businesses will be able to sell small amounts of alcohol without going through the formal process of applying for a Premises Licence or using multiple Temporary Event Notices.

It would apply to Members organising special tours, visits or events which include a glass of wine as part of the ticket and to Members offering Bed and Breakfast or holiday cottages who gift a small amount of alcohol to guests. Also local charities, church and community groups could use them if they are holding events at our Members’ houses.

This is good news for our Members who hold occasional small-scale tours and events and will free them from having to apply again and again for Temporary Events Notices as CANs will be easy to apply for and will last for three years.

Civil Weddings and PartnershipsThe HHA continues to pursue the principle of allowing historic houses which are not used solely or mainly for religious purposes to host civil weddings and partnerships. There have been concerns that historic rooms which host religious pictures or iconography have been rejected as appropriate venues. Whilst the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) cannot get directly involved in a delegated regional matter, they have agreed to look again, together with the General Register Office, at the guidance to which local authorities are working to see whether clarification may be needed.

Heritage CountsThe Historic Environment Forum (HEF), of which the HHA is a Member, published Heritage Counts in November 2013. It is the 12th annual audit and was welcomed by the HHA as an important snapshot of the health of the UK’s historic environment. 2013’s report focused on skills and staffing in the heritage sector, demonstrating that it is vital to enable owners to maintain their houses properly. Appropriate specialist craft skills including carpentry, bench joinery, plastering (especially lime), traditional glazing, lead work, decorating and roofing are essential to this process and Heritage Counts identifies gaps in the availability of these heritage building skills.

Norman & Underwood Ltd, one of the HHA’s Corporate Members, were cited as an exemplar of good practice for their work in fostering traditional leadworking plumbing skills and attracting new apprentices to ensure these skills can be developed.

Figures on economic growth collated in Heritage Counts show that heritage continues to be a key contributor to the UK economy with heritage-based tourism now worth around £26 billion and heritage related construction activity in England contributing £11 billion to GDP per annum.

The embellishment of country houses, such as the work carried out by the Manners family at Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, demonstrates the art of the plumber as not only a skilled tradesman, but also a decorative craftsman © Haddon Hall

A CPD accredited course by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and The Worshipful Company of Plumbers was held at HHA corporate member, Norman and Underwood Ltd in March. This one-day course was designed for those professionally involved with historic buildings: architects, surveyors, engineers, planners, builders, contractors, curators, specifiers, craftsmen and women.

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VISITOR SURVEY 2013

Comparisons in visitor numbers between one year and another are difficult. The cohort of properties responding to the survey may change and the weather may also have a major effect on visiting.

Changes in visiting patterns are worth tracking. If more people attend concerts, weddings, festivals or special interest tours, that is a significant development. These “bespoke” visits are every bit as valid as heritage experiences and in some ways represent a more authentic form of visiting, akin to how guests would have visited historic houses in the past. The person attending a concert or reception, especially in the evening, becomes a guest and the historic house feels very much like a home.

Attendance at such events at HHA properties, at 5.5 million individual visits, is now substantial. Events can also provide valuable net revenue for privately owned historic houses, which is critical for owners when it comes to taking decisions on expensive maintenance programmes.

The series of figures, right, entitled “Trends in Visitor Numbers”, records returns from a set of 80 unchanging properties over a ten year period.

This series shows a 5% increase in day visits per property in 2013 compared to 2012. This is in line with figures for visits to all attractions in VisitEngland’s 2013 Visitor Survey. This is encouraging, but may reflect in particular the much better weather in Summer 2013 (after a very cold and late spring) compared to 2012. An underlying trend is not yet visible.

The HHA’s full Survey returns were, again, swelled by a greater response rate than in the previous year and by some properties providing figures for the first time. The recorded total of all visits in 2013 was up on 2012. It appears that the World Cup on TV had little effect, probably because most matches were shown in the evenings, unlike 2006.

Visits made by Friends of the HHA and by house-owning Members rose by a further 9.5% in 2013. For some houses repeat visits by Friends will, in a similar way to annual pass holders, become a useful additional source of visitor income.

During 2014 the HHA conducted two snapshot surveys of the accuracy and effect of broadcast weather forecasts on visiting, with the support of the Met Office and the BBC Weather Centre. The first, on Easter Monday, indicated that a forecast of midday and early afternoon rain in the southern half of England discouraged visiting. In the event, the rain did not arrive until after 5.00 pm in many places. The forecast is likely to have discouraged visitors.

Below: Visitors on a tour of Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire Below right: The Port Eliot Dog Festival & Whippet Tea Party in full swing in May at Port Eliot, Cornwall. Opposite: Children at Bowood in Wiltshire

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National summary

Visitors to Additional Members & House and Events and Friends /or Garden (a) Attractions (b) Visits

Total of properties responding to the survey 6,638,106 4,418,485 142,817

Visitors at wedding, corporate, conferences, holiday accommodation 729,912

HHA properties that did not respond (2011 results) 328,940 313,434 9,432

TOTAL VISITORS (a + b) 12,428,877

Trend in total visitors (continuous sample of 80 properties)

2004 Total 2005 Total 2006 Total 2007 Total 2008 Total 2009 Total 2010 Total 2011 Total 2012 Total 2013 Total Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Visitors Total visits

Total Visitors 5,245,324 5,322,926 5,116,263 5,432,469 5,308,357 5,752,236 5,548,621 5,817,971 5,504,977 5,792,287 54,841,431

Average Visitors per House 65,566 66,536 63,953 67,905 66,354 71,902 69,357 72,724 68,812 72,403 68,551

A second exercise was undertaken for the August Bank Holiday. First indications are that forecasting of poor weather persuaded some people to bring forward visits to the immediately preceding Sunday. That day was dry and warm, the Monday cool and very wet; both days turned out as forecast. This showed that accurate forecasting can be very helpful.

The HHA has attended meetings at the Met Office and the BBC to attempt to ensure that forecasts do not unnecessarily discourage visits and is now part of a continuing process monitoring the accuracy of weather forecasts.

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HHA AWARDS

HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year AwardThe gardens at Bowood House in Wiltshire won the 2014 HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award and attracted considerable publicity locally and nationally. The award was presented in May to The Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne by Richard Compton and Charles Cator, Deputy Chairman of Christie’s International.

Like the house, the stunning gardens of Bowood have undergone significant changes throughout the decades, to mark the style and preferences of their owners, which encompass almost every period of the traditional English garden in Bowood’s history.

Extending over 2,000 acres, the breathtaking parklands designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown from 1848 to 1849, provide an opportunity to escape into a time when waists were wisps and hair was high. With gently sloping lawns stretching down to the placid lakes and distant views to the Wiltshire chalk downlands, delights within the park include the Pleasure Grounds – which feature a rare and monumental arboretum and pinetum, planted by John Spencer, Head Gardener, in a geographical formation reflecting their country of origin, a legacy which continues to be extended to the present day.

The many other highlights include Cascade, Doric Temple, Terrace Gardens, Rhododendron Walks and, for children, the Adventure Playground.

Pictured: The gardens and the Rhododendron Walks at Bowood House, Wiltshire

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HHA/Sotheby’s Restoration Award The 2014 Award was given to Norton Conyers in North Yorkshire. Sir James and Lady Graham have spent the last eight years battling death watch beetle to restore it. Their efforts are an outstanding example of the heroism of devoted owners and show the challenges many other owners face.

Considering a wide range of applications from Members the judges were again able to make three commendations: The Grotto at Painshill Park in Surrey (Painshill Park Trust), Encombe House, Dorset (James Gaggero) and The Orangery at Weston Park in Shropshire (The Weston Park Foundation).

Applications from Bruisyard Hall, Suffolk (Paul Rous) Burton Constable Hall, East Yorkshire (The Burton Constable Foundation), Coggeshall Abbey, Essex (Roger Hadlee), Elmore Court, Gloucestershire (Anselm Guise), Great Fulford, Devon (Francis Fulford) and Pentillie Castle, Cornwall (E C S Coryton) were also shortlisted.

Top: Norton Conyers exterior, North YorkshireMiddle, far left: Tudor floorboards uncovered at Norton ConyersMiddle, left: Volunteers in the main chamber of The Grotto, Painshill Park, SurreyLeft: Encombe House in DorsetBelow: The Orangery at Weston Park, Shropshire

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SCOTLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND

ScotlandThe Land Reform Review Group has been examining land ownership and usage in Scotland. Their final report was published in May. However, there was a lack of consistency between the final report and the Group’s interim report. The final report did not reflect the social, environmental and economic contribution which owners of historic properties and private landowners make across Scotland. By concentrating exclusively on ownership, the Land Reform Review Group has missed an opportunity to make constructive recommendations, or acknowledge collaborative working between the private and independent sector and the Scottish Government and local authorities. The interim report referred to examining ‘examples of shared governance, management and use of land to inform better practice’, but the final report failed to do so. The Historic Houses Association for Scotland (HHAS) has clearly articulated its belief that the responsible use of land – whether in public, private or community ownership – should be the determining factor in the development of policy. As a result of HHAS’s numerous responses to consultations on land reform, the Director General appeared before the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster in March, together with Sarah-Jane Laing of Scottish Land and Estates.

The introduction by the Scottish Government of its Community Empowerment Bill may well influence land

reform. The aim of the Bill is to reform the existing community right to buy and include measures to make it simpler for communities to take over public sector land and buildings. The existing community right to buy will be streamlined and extended to cover all parts of Scotland, both urban areas and larger rural towns, as part of plans to have one million acres taken into community ownership by 2020. While the Bill does not cover private land, there are elements in it which could set a precedent in the event of land reform. The definition of ‘abandoned and neglected land’ in the Bill is quite widely drawn and might cause concern if applied to private property and the concept of ‘community’ is also vague.

Meanwhile, the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Bill is intended to enable the creation of a new Non Departmental Public Body for Scotland’s historic environment, which will deliver the current functions of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. HES will become a statutory consultee in the planning system in relation to Listed Building Consent and must be consulted upon receipt of an application by a local authority which the authority determines will have an impact on a listed building. It will also be given powers to designate, or to revise existing designations. From the HHAS point of view, one of the key issues is the introduction of a right of appeal against designation as a listed building or scheduled ancient monument.

The HHA has put a detailed set of questions to the Scottish Government about the implications for heritage of independence over the past year, most recently when Regional Chairman of HHA Scotland, Alick Hay, met the Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, in August. We briefed Members on these implications throughout the year, as the referendum approached.

WalesWelsh HHA Members operate under a different legal system regarding planning, heritage, forestry, countryside and farming, all of which come under the direct control of the National Assembly in Cardiff. We keep a close eye on each of these areas of government and the issues that they promote, which provides us with useful opportunities to influence forthcoming legislation for the benefit of Members.

We have been involved in the consultation process regarding the proposed Heritage Bill, with proposals for strengthening the regulations protecting archaeological sites. We are fortunate

Inveraray Castle & Gardens, Argyll, Scotland

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pursuing these items with Cadw, the Welsh version of English Heritage, which has in the past been more realistic in their approach to such proposals. Finally, we are glad to report that towards the end of last year the Minister decided not to proceed with a projected merger of the Royal Commission with Cadw. They will therefore remain independent.

Northern IrelandA consultation is underway on the proposed introduction of a two tier planning structure in Northern Ireland. It is intended that local councils will be responsible for developing their own local development plan and determining the majority of planning applications with only regionally significant applications being determined by the Department of the Environment.

There has been a 36% increase in grant applications for restoration of listed buildings, so unfortunately all the extra monies are now committed. Without extra money coming in the grants will revert to the previous 35% and be capped at £150k.

The favourable economic climate for filming has produced some fine results, including production of Game of Thrones and the BBC’s drama 37 Days, much of which was shot at Ballywalter Park.

Last year, Northern Ireland had the highest ever numbers to European Heritage Open Days with over 68,000 visitors in over 400 buildings.

Bodrhyddan Hall, Denbighshire, Wales Belle Isle, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

that our Vice Chairman, Sir Brooke Boothby, lives close to Cardiff and has excellent relations with the Assembly Cabinet, so Members can be assured that their concerns are heard at the highest level of Regional Government; both sides regarding it as a partnership arrangement intended to serve Members’ interests and those of local communities in the long term.

There is a recognition of the vital need to avoid over-regulating our homes. We already have some fifty or more listed country houses that are empty and officially designated as being at risk of being lost to posterity, so it is important that they are seen to remain attractive propositions to potential new owners. This is particularly important for Welsh tourism, culture and local communities where Members’ houses can and do have considerable beneficial impact, especially in remote areas.

Two matters are of much concern currently in the form of proposals firstly to make the existing Register of Historic Park and Gardens statutory and secondly to require owners of listed buildings to use only nominated contractors for repairs and alterations to listed buildings. Both of these are problematic in principle, especially as they would be dependent on local county councils to administer them, most of whom are drastically cutting back on conservation trained staff, and many of which now have none at all. There is therefore a real possibility that such official and often unnecessary procedures could effectively be inoperable, and so bring all such regulation, beneficial and otherwise, into disrepute by being ignored. We are therefore

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TAXATION

TaxationIn the past year the HHA has focused its taxation work on achieving a remedy for unincorporated historic house businesses, which have faced an increased disadvantage since the cap was imposed on Sideways Loss Relief (SLR) in 2013. These special places are at the heart of private ownership of historic houses, but are also of key importance to the fragile rural communities they support throughout the UK. Their continued viability is of critical importance.

This activity, together with the HHA’s work on a range of other taxation matters, is reported in the paragraphs below.

Sideways Loss Relief (SLR)Until 2013 SLR enabled unincorporated historic house businesses, i.e. those individually-owned houses offering day visiting, weddings and other services to the public on a commercial basis, to support the costs of maintenance and public access from the whole estate business. Since the imposition of access obligations on conditionally exempt historic buildings in the 1970s, government had accepted that in many cases such a public benefit could be provided only through occasional support from other enterprises on the estate.

However, the cap on SLR, imposed in 2013, likens unincorporated historic house businesses to farms or industrial or service businesses, despite the fact that they face tighter tax rules and higher costs of conservation and regulation. Thus the cap has had a disproportionate impact on 350 such historic house businesses, threatening the future of 20% or more, together with the employment, incomes and cultural stewardship that they support, often in places where there are few alternatives.

With case studies provided by individual owners the HHA has taken this issue to the Secretary of State and senior officials in DCMS and HMRC. A further submission was made in July 2014, proposing taxation of historic house businesses and their supporting estate enterprises as single businesses, and is currently being pursued. The Exchequer costs would be tiny in government accounting terms, but the costs of inaction could be rather greater. In addition, lived-in historic houses are not only economic drivers; they are also the heritage properties that the public say they particularly value.

Mansion TaxThe HHA has mounted a strong case for adequate exemptions for historic house businesses from any Mansion Tax. We have discussed this case in principle with the Labour Party’s heritage spokesperson in the House of Commons and have obtained a written assurance from David Laws MP in the Liberal Democrats (who is coordinating that party’s manifesto) that the principle of exemptions for historic houses open to the public has been accepted.

Historic houses offer a wider range of tangible benefits to the public than day visiting, especially as more people are enjoying and appreciating the cultural value of historic houses through attending special events, conferences, weddings, charitable and community events.

The HHA is setting out clearly to the political parties that a Mansion Tax without adequate exemptions to recognise the provision of these benefits would be disastrous for the viability of hundreds of historic houses. As a result it could also spell the end of widespread public access if, as a consequence, such houses could be owned only by those who could afford to run them without any public opening – the opposite of current heritage and tourism policy.

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Conditional Exemption Richard Compton, HHA President, and HHA staff met the new Chair of English Heritage, Sir Laurie Magnus, in December 2013, for a very productive discussion of the challenges facing privately owned heritage, the plans for the restructuring of English Heritage and opportunities for joint working. Amongst other things, it was confirmed subsequently that designation of objects as historically associated with a conditionally exempt building did not depend on their being in situ for 50 years, and that the historic interest of buildings (and their contents) was related not only to architectural value but also to the contribution made by the lives and work of their owners. The HHA’s guidance to owners reflects this development.

The HHA has put the case to HMRC for applications for conditional exemption to be possible for a two year period after the imposition of a decennial charge (on assets held in a discretionary trust), as they are for up to two years after a death. A response is awaited.

HMRC have decided that museums and other institutions holding archives leant by owners may apply a reasonable charge for the costs of their stewardship. The HHA has advised owners to be clear about the terms of any loans that they are considering. On a less contentious note, the HHA has agreed with HMRC on streamlining of the terms for agreements on access undertakings for conditionally exempt objects.

In late 2013 the Labour Party’s heritage spokesperson, Helen Goodman MP, suggested that the access undertakings for conditionally exempt objects should be significantly increased. The HHA made clear its concern that, apart from the contentious issue of retrospection on existing agreements, more onerous access conditions would lead to even fewer applications and the possibility, as a result, of less public enjoyment of heritage, rather than more. There have been no further announcements as yet.

Acceptance in LieuThe HHA welcomed the announcement in the Budget of an increase from £30m to £40m in the annual ceiling for tax foregone from take up of the Cultural Gifts Scheme and Acceptances in Lieu of tax.

ScotlandThe HHA’s activities in Scotland are reported on page 12. It is relevant here that when the Scottish Affairs Committee of the House of Commons invited the HHA and Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) to give oral evidence to its inquiry on Land Reform, several questions focused on the taxation of land and heritage. Sarah-Jane Laing for SLE and Nick Way for the HHA explained that Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs had been established to enable business continuity and investment through generational change and that conditional exemption had been successful in retaining heritage property in the UK and accessible to the public, for the wider benefit of the nation.

Other tax newsThe HHA welcomed:

● Guidance from HMRC recognising the HHA’s interpretation of legislation relating to expenditure by beneficiaries of pre-2006 Interest in Possession Trusts on maintenance and repairs

● The Law Commission’s conclusion that provision should be made in law for marital property agreements that recognise pre-acquired property, including heritage assets

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Learning Advisory ServiceThe HHA’s Education Adviser, Peter Burke, and the Learning Panel have visited over thirty houses this year in the South East, South West, Yorkshire, the North West and Scotland. These included a second visit to Trebah Gardens in Cornwall, following up an earlier visit in 2011, and it was heartening to discover that many of the recommendations made then had been acted upon with good results in terms of school visit numbers. Peter Burke has also been able to assist two Member houses to prepare successful requests for funding from the Heritage Conservation Trust.

The HHA carried out an evaluation of the Learning Advisory Service in the summer of 2014 after eight years in operation. It was encouraging to learn that nearly all of the houses had made progress and had introduced an educational visit programme, following the advice about starting in a small way with their local school(s) and building on that base. Where there was little or no progress it had been due in large measure to staff changes, which have caused educational plans to be downgraded as new staff take charge. What is especially pleasing to report from the evaluation is the willingness of Member houses to support each other and share their experiences and learning materials.

One of the common concerns facing Member houses this year arises from the change in the National Curriculum for History whereby the study of the Tudors has been removed from primary schools at Key Stage 2 and placed into Key Stage 3 for secondary age pupils. The majority of visits to houses in the recent past had tended to be from the primary phase so Members were concerned that this change may lead to a decline in school visit numbers. This need not be the case as the

Curriculum at both Key Stages encourages pupils to undertake a local history study and a visit to a historic house that will allow young pupils and older students to gain an appreciation of the role of the house in their local environment and the impact that it may have had on the national economic and political scene through the ages.

We have come across some interesting new educational initiatives during our visits this year. Hever Castle, for example, is planning to become a Learning Destination for the Children’s University and is exploring a link with the Home Education Card organisation, which provides accreditation for home education of children – which is increasing. Member houses are also recognising the importance of their wider estates, and especially the gardens. Studying plants and trees, learning how to grow them successfully in different environments can cover many aspects of the Curriculum and can also reinforce children’s understanding of the importance of a healthy diet and the need to protect the environment.

The HHA is very grateful to Peter Burke, and to our Learning Panel – Gareth Fitzpatrick, Honor Gay, Don Henson and Gillian Wolfe – for their advice, guidance and site visits which are delivered free to Members.

Children can meet historical re-enactment characters at many HHA Member properties

Children are encouraged to discover the house and grounds at Castle Howard with the help of Geoffrey the Lion’s illustrated trails, including a spotter sheet to help identify items in the house, a woodland trail in the grounds and word searches to complete.

LEARNING AND OUTREACH

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Heritage Open DaysThis year, Heritage Open Days marked its 20th anniversary. Nearly 50 HHA Members opened free in September during Heritage Open Days in England, Doors Open Days in Scotland, Open Doors in Wales and European Heritage Days in Northern Ireland. These special days celebrate the UK’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.

Thames Valley Country House PartnershipA Higher Education Innovation Fund supported initiative that creates sustainable relationships between country houses and the University of Oxford, TVCHP was established towards the end of 2013 to promote a deeper understanding of the economic, social, political and cultural histories of the country house through research whilst delivering significant public benefits.

Drawing inspiration from the very successful Yorkshire Country House Partnership, TVCHP has already attracted eighteen houses in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Warwickshire, eight of which are HHA Members. We look forward to an exciting programme of research projects and engaging events.

Open PalacesThe HHA took part in the inaugural Open Palaces programme, bringing international students and developing professionals to the heart of some of England’s most significant palaces and stately homes. In the summer twenty participants from Australia, Canada and America visited a range of heritage sites, including several HHA Members, and participated in lively practical sessions focusing on each house’s individual approach to conservation, interpretation and education.

Capability BrownThe Capability Brown 300 Celebration and Festival received a £139,200 development funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in February. The project will mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot Capability Brown in 2016, honouring a globally influential British artist and spreading greater understanding and enjoyment of his work and influence. Ceryl Evans was appointed Capability Brown Festival Project Manager and the HHA took on extra support from Gail Caig to manage the Association’s input into the project.

Nearly 100 owners, managers, landscape architects and school representatives gathered at Compton Verney in June to plan the nationwide celebration. The Information Day gave delegates an overview of what needed to be achieved during the development phase and discussed ideas for events, volunteer involvement and attracting new visitors.

Six audience development pilot projects were developed, three at HHA Member properties:

● At Milton Abbey in Dorset, young families were targeted through an interactive web game looking at the changes to the Estate since Brown’s time.● At Kirkharle in Northumberland, the birthplace of Capability Brown, heritage interpretation materials were developed to pilot ideas to help smaller sites identify the audiences they want to reach. ● At Scampston Hall in Yorkshire, art based geocaching stamps, based on water colours painted in 1790 just after the Parkland had been landscaped, formed the basis of a modern day treasure hunt for the digital generation.

The serpentine lake, inspired by Capability Brown’s original plan and created in 2010, at Kirkharle in Northumberland as part of Heritage Open Days

Students visiting Stowe House, Buckinghamshire as part of the Open Palaces Programme.

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TOURISM AND MARKETING

The HHA has continued its work this year raising the profile of HHA Members and the HHA and promoting tourism.

Inbound Marketing In June 2014 the HHA joined UKinbound, the tourism trade association that focuses on the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector. This membership means that all Member properties can now benefit from discounted rates to attend UKinbound events which give the opportunity to meet and network with tour operators and other attractions.

The HHA attended several UKinbound events in 2014 making valuable contacts with tour operators for the future benefit of Member properties, including with Just Go! Holidays, a company that provides coach tours on behalf of the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Oak Foundation in the USA. Just Go! Holidays will be providing coach tours to a number of HHA Member properties in 2015 starting with four different tours.

Raising Our ProfileThe HHA ran a successful campaign with the Telegraph newspaper in April 2014 offering a 2-for-1 voucher valid at over 55 HHA Member properties. The promotion enjoyed lots of pre-promotion in the run up within the paper and via the Telegraph’s E-newsletter and social media channels, and generated the equivalent of £73,000 worth of media coverage. The HHA also set up an E-newsletter swap with the Telegraph in June which promoted HHA Friends Membership to the Telegraph’s 230,000 subscribers.

Thirteen Member properties in London and the South East offered 2-for-1 entry to National Trust Members during August and September. Feedback on visitor numbers was positive and we hope that this will lead to further co-operative ventures with the Trust.

We also partnered with Corazon Books to launch a creative writing competition based on the launch of an E-book version of the Catherine Gaskin novel ‘The Property of a Gentleman’.

A group of Chinese visitors at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

The Telegraph 2-for-1 promotion in April 2014

The HHA brokered a free opportunity for videos of Member properties and the HHA video to be featured in a new play-on-demand cable travel channel in the USA called Traveldreamer.TV available in 10 million American households.

We also advised Members about VisitBritain’s ‘Great China Welcome’ programme in June 2014, including the benefits of signing the Charter, and we continue to work with VisitEngland and VisitBritain to promote HHA Member properties.

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HHA WebsiteThe HHA’s website continues to grow in popularity and now averages 40,000 individual visitors a month, with a peak of 55,000 in August. The majority of visitors are looking for inspiration for historic properties to visit, stay at, film at, and to hold events at including weddings, as well as to keep abreast of the latest news from the HHA and Member properties.

We have added a new Jobs & Volunteering section to the website this year where Member properties can advertise positions vacant free of charge. We have also made improvements to the user-experience of the Weddings, Accommodation and Corporate Venue sections and have invited Members to submit information about accessibility and family-friendly facilities at their properties for inclusion on their pages.

HHA Apps The HHA’s iPhone, iPad and Android applications (apps) continue to be a popular way for visitors to obtain information on HHA Member properties and the HHA. The apps are directly linked to the HHA website so information updated on the website publishes through to the apps each day.

Social MediaThe HHA launched its presence on social media in Autumn 2013 via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube with the numbers of followers, likes and views to its social media channels growing steadily each month.

Our Twitter and Facebook channels provide an excellent opportunity for Member properties looking for extra publicity for news stories, updates and events and our YouTube channel gives further publicity to Member property videos.

E-newslettersWe launched two monthly E-newsletters in Spring 2014. An E-newsletter tailored for Friends of the HHA was launched in March and goes to 12,500 households, and one specifically for Members was launched in April which is sent to 1,830 people. Both are issued in the first week of each month, have been well received and are proving a useful communication tool for Member properties and the HHA. Visitors to the HHA website are also given the opportunity to subscribe to the Friends E-newsletter in the header of the home page.

Top right: The HHA’s Twitter pageBottom right: An HHA E-newsletter

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TOURISM AND MARKETING

Online Trails Following the popularity of the HHA’s first two online trails, The Great British Royalty Trail and The Great British Games Trail, we launched two new online trails this year.

The Historic Houses Wartime Trail commemorates the centenary of the outbreak of World War One and shares the stories of some of Britain’s great houses during wartime.

The Historic Houses Art Trail features many HHA Member properties that have a permanent work of art or sculpture on display to the public or a strong link with an artist or art movement.

Land Girls in the grounds of Hodsock Priory, Nottinghamshire

Extracts from the Historic Houses Art Trail:

● At Chiddingstone Castle in Kent there is a collection of 4,000 works of art and antiquities. All of them were collected by the same person, the late Denys Eyre Bower, who lived on site from 1955 until his death in 1977.

Extracts from the Historic Houses Wartime Trail:

● Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire: At the outbreak of the First World War, the 11th Duchess converted parts of the Abbey to create one of the most advanced hospitals of the time, and personally treated injured service men. She was later honored as a Dame of the Order of the British Empire.

● Minterne Gardens, Dorset, was home to one of the last surviving war horses, Kitty, who spent the entire war in the trenches, eventually returning to Minterne. The saddle cloth she was wearing when she was honoured at the International Horse of the Year Show in 1937 is still at Minterne House today.

● Inveraray Castle, Argyll: The 10th Duke commemorated all the Campbells who fell in the Great War by building Inveraray Bell Tower in the 1920s, fitting it out with a glorious peel of ten bells, said to be the second heaviest in the world.

● Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire: During the Second World War, the flower gardens at Hodsock were turned over to vegetables grown by the Women’s Land Army. The Land Girls shared the House with the owners, Tom and Mamie Mayhew, between 1942 and 1946 and the Priory hosted a reunion of Land Girls to recognise their War effort.

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● At Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the Bernini Fountain in the lower terrace is a model of the actual fountain in the Piazza Navona in Rome, given as a gift to the 1st Duke of Marlborough.

● At Burghley House in Lincolnshire the stunning wall paintings are Antonio Verrio’s greatest achievement, with the Heaven Room (below) his crowning glory. Although only painted in two dimensions onto the flat surfaces of the walls, the optical illusions created by foreshortening, perspective and masterful handling is entirely convincing and are a must-see for art lovers.

image on this year’s card is of Sir John Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge and Lake at Blenheim Palace (shown below) and is reproduced by kind permission of His Grace the Duke of Marlborough and the photographer Richard Cragg. A pack of 10 cards including envelopes and delivery costs £4.80 from Dash or telephone 01934 522920.

The Heaven Room at Burghley House, Lincolnshire

The HHA’s refreshed map leaflet

All four online trails can be found by clicking on the ‘Great British Explorer Trails’ button on the HHA website home page. Member properties can be added to the trails at any time.

Map LeafletA refreshed version of the map leaflet was sent out to all Friends in March and was used to hand out at exhibitions and trade fairs, such as on the HHA stand at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live show at the NEC in June, to recruit new Friends.

HHA Christmas Card 2014Proceeds from the sale of the Christmas Card will again go to the Heritage Conservation Trust which supports the conservation of works of art at historic houses open to the public as well as education, access and research initiatives. The

New Head of Marketing & Communications Laura Bogard, our Head of Marketing & Communications joined the HHA in March picking up the baton from Sarah Edwards. The HHA would like to say a big thank you to Sarah for all the excellent work she did for the HHA over the last five years and wish her all the best in her new adventures.

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HHA MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICES

Advisory Services One Member has described the feeling of isolation when dealing with an unfamiliar issue as being like ‘a mole at the end of a tunnel’. The HHA’s technical advice service can help to point towards a solution, give support or simply act as a sounding board. It is a unique service and 316 enquiries were received over the last year covering topics as diverse as dehumidifiers to estate wages, stable yard clocks to virtual tours, and CCTV alarm systems to reliable safe crackers.

However, this year, it has been noticeable that an increasing number of Members have requested HHA support against planning applications that would threaten the setting of their historic house or parkland. Often these applications propose residential development, but solar farms, wind turbines and unlawful tipping all feature as contentious issues.

The incentive for private owners to spend substantial sums of money and effort is in the long term public and national interest, but this can often cease as a result of nearby development which might materially reduce the enjoyment of occupation. In many situations, when the amenity of a house has been diminished, a point can be reached when the owner is discouraged from pouring capital into its constant maintenance in the way that all such buildings require. Government has recognised this and the need to protect the whole entity of a historic house, its buildings and setting.

Yet for some Members this protection may not actually appear to be the case in practice and therefore welcome a letter from the HHA to their local planning authority to emphasise that the National Planning Policy Framework Planning Policy provides for the protection of historic

buildings, conservation areas and other elements of the historic environment. These modest interventions by the HHA have certainly been taken into account and have helped influence planning decisions against a presumption in favour of development.

Historic House Magazine Four issues of the magazine were published this year and distributed to all Members and Friends as well as more widely to other heritage organisations and official bodies. The magazine covers a wide range of topics from heritage and policy articles to news items and articles about individual member properties. Peter Sinclair contributes as Editor with Andrew Sidford as designer.

Range of Technical Advice(No. of Enquiries)

Interior Repairs

Exterior Repairs

Chattel Repairs

Licensing

Filming

Weddings

Rating

Opening House

Insurance

Alternative Uses

Risk Assessment

Planning

VAT

Energy Efficiency

Other

1%

8%

4%

2%

15%

3%9%

5%

2%

26%

7%

6%

5%

3%

4%

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Annual General Meeting 2013The 40th National Annual General Meeting was held on 12 November at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster. At the AGM, Richard Compton, William Parente and James Birch were re-elected as President, Deputy President and Honorary Treasurer respectively.

During the formal AGM business meeting the President made a special presentation to Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, founder President of the HHA, to mark his great contribution to heritage and to the HHA in particular. The President also welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon to the meeting and noted that the Duke had served as Deputy President and Honorary Treasurer from 1975 to 1982.

The Guest Speaker at the AGM was Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum. The HHA/Smiths Gore Lecture was given by The Earl of March and Kinrara.

The AGM was once again generously sponsored by Smiths Gore and Farrer & Co.

The Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens Exhibition, organised by Hall-McCartney Limited, was well supported by both exhibitors and visitors.

SeminarsThe HHA’s technical seminars continue to be popular and to attract large attendances. The topics covered this year were Inheritance and Succession held at Knebworth House and attended by a large cross generational audience, and Gardens and Parkland – Commercial Opportunities held at Hagley Hall in September.

group. For more information, visit www.hha.org.uk/join-the-hha/next-generation-membership.html

Health and safety service The HHA’s Health and Safety Adviser, Mark Daniels, has produced two new health and safety guidance notes, which are available on the Members’ website. These provide advice on managing contractors and dealing with health and safety enforcing authorities. Mark is available to provide technical advice to Members and has made visits to several Member properties this year.

The main issues arising in relation to the safety of visitors continue to be falls from height and slips and trips. Since it is neither practical nor desirable to eliminate every risk at a historic property, decisions need to be taken about what risks are acceptable. Where a decision is taken to retain a risk, for conservation reasons or for the value of the visitor experience, the rationale for the decision needs to be thought through and recorded. To help Members with this process, the HHA has applied for Membership of the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group (VSCG). This group comprises many leading organisations involved in managing historic buildings and landscapes, including English Heritage, Historic Scotland and the National Trust. The HHA’s H&S Adviser has been engaged by the VSCG as co-author of a new guidance publication on managing visitor safety in the historic built environment, which is expected to be published in 2015.

Member Recruitment The Association is delighted to have welcomed over 120 new owners to Full Membership in the past year. Still the most effective method of recruiting is personal recommendation by an existing Member or Friend. Regional Chairmen and their Committees also play an important role in identifying prospective Members in their regions and instigating an initial approach and follow up. Progress of recruitment is charted by a national database maintained at Chester Street.

Again regional initiatives, developed by Regional Committees and Regional Friends Representatives, have been effective.

Membership

Membership 2013 2014

Full Members 1,548 1,573

Next Generation Members 200 211

Corporate Members 354 373

Friends 36,344 37,983

Next Generation In March, Lord Raynham was appointed as Chairman of the Next Generation Group and Edward Sanguinetti as Vice Chairman. Together with the Committee, refreshed with recent changes, they will continue to develop the programme of events as well as a recruitment drive to attract new Members.

Many Full Member properties are still not represented by a member of the family on the Next Generation list. Please do encourage younger members of your family to join this lively and enjoyable

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NEW MEMBERS SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013

Astley HallChorley Council

Ayton CastleRichard Syred Esq & Brian Parsons Esq

Azerley CourtJohn C T Dalton Esq

Ballydugan HouseMrs Frances M S Beach

Boodle’sBoodle’s

BrackenburghJohn Harris Esq

Brockworth CourtMr & Mrs Tim Wiltshire

Bruisyard HallPaul Rous Esq

Budle HallCharles Baker-Creswell Esq

Burwarton HouseViscount Boyne

Castle Bromwich Hall GardensCastle Bromwich Hall and Gardens Trust

Castle StalkerAlasdair Stiubhard Allward Esq

29 Church StreetMr & Mrs David Shelton

Claughton HallNatfarm Ltd

The CorridgeToby Gibson Esq

Crewe HallQHotels

Doughton ManorRichard Carter Esq

The Doune of RothiemurchusJ P Grant of Rothiemurchus

Dr Jenner’s HouseThe Jenner Trust

Fairlight PlaceAndrew Blackman Esq & Richard Smith Esq

Felton ParkMr & Mrs Timothy Maxwell

Fernhill HallMr & Mrs Charles Lillis

Fountainhall HouseMr & Mrs Edward Hocknell

Fulbeck HallWilliam Day Esq

Gatcombe ParkHRH The Princess Royal

Goldsmiths’ HallThe Goldsmiths’ Company

Castle GoringRoger J Day Esq

Great Moreton HallMr & Mrs Christopher John Shaw

HalecatNicholas Stanley Esq

Hales Hall, Norfolk Peter Sheppard Esq & Keith day Esq

Hales Hall, ShropshireAlexander Hall Esq

Halston HallRupert Harvey Esq

Halswell HouseEdward Strachan Esq

Dr Jenner’s House, the birthplace of vaccination, Gloucestershire Parcevall Hall Gardens, North Yorkshire

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Hammerton HallMrs A M Hodson

Harbour HouseMrs Lucille Nicholson

Harlington ManorDavid Blakeman Esq

Horncliffe HouseRobert de Plumpton Hunter Esq

Ilmington ManorMartin Taylor Esq

Ken Hill HousePaul Authur Gismondi Esq

KillyreaghLord Anthony Hamilton

Kings Weston HouseNorman Routledge Esq

Langcliffe HallRobert Bell Esq

Llanharan HouseMr & Mrs N T Rhode

Llwyn-y-MaenSimon Charles Esq

Manor Farm HouseMr & Mrs Christopher da Costa

Marston HouseTimothy Sanderson Esq

Micklefield HallMr & Mrs Jamie Rankin

Moor WoodH C W Robinson Esq

Mount St JohnChristopher Blundell Esq

NewbigginMr & Mrs Ben Gibson

The Old RectoryMrs Sarah White

Parcevall Hall GardensWalsingham College (Yorkshire Properties Ltd)

PerrycroftMr & Mrs Mark Archer

PitkindieThe Earl of Kinnoull

PlasglasgwmMr & Mrs Peter Gallimore

The Queen’s HouseNational Maritime Museum

Shuckburgh HallSir James Shuckburgh Bt

Stanlake ParkDaniel J Goss-Custard Esq

Swanton HallCount & Countess Nicolas Reuttner

Thorganby HallMrs Claire & Mr Michael Downie

Treguddick ManorKen Hayward Esq & Ms Sara Stocks

West Stow HallMr & Mrs Andrew Gilbert

The WoodFrancis A H Yates Esq

Woodchester MansionWoodchester Mansion Trust Ltd

Wortley HallWortley Hall Ltd

Crewe Hall, Crewe Kings Weston House, Bristol

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HHA FRIENDS

Friends membership has continued to increase, passing 38,000 this year, with the help of a range of promotional initiatives. More Member properties joined the recruitment drive by signing up new Friends onsite.

Over 3,300 Friends took part in the Autumn 2013 survey, giving generally positive feedback on their visits to Member properties in the Friends free access scheme, on Historic House magazine and on their Membership overall. Many offered suggestions for further improvements and we have already taken action on some of these ideas: for example, by producing a fold-out map of Member properties open to day visitors.

In response to Friends’ feedback about the booking process for Friends’ Tours, we piloted an online booking system for selected Tours during 2014, with the support of Friends Representatives in the East Midlands, Heart of England and the South East. Thanks to all our volunteer Friends Representatives who continued to organise a wide range of visits and special events; to David Brown as National Friends Representative on Council; and to historic house owners for welcoming Friends to their properties, either for special events or as part of the Friends free access scheme.

Hilary May-Hill (Wales) and Naomi Milne (East Anglia) stood down as Friends Representatives, having given years of sterling service. Vivian Giles succeeds Hilary and we hope to announce Naomi’s successor in due course.

The Hugh Shirreff Lecture, organised by Angela Oliver, was held at Knowsley Hall on 3 April. James Peill, Curator at Goodwood, gave a fascinating and well-received talk based on his recent book The English Country House.

Finally, thanks are due to NFU Mutual and to Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens for their continued support and sponsorship of Friends publications.

Regional Friends RepresentativesCumbria – Judith HeelisEast Anglia – Naomi MilneEast Midlands – Alison Collier, Paul WestHeart of England – David Brown, (assisted by Christina Sharp)London – Gillian BennettNorthumbria – Peter AtkinsonNorth West – Angela OliverSouth East – Steve WestThames & Chilterns – Margaret JowettWessex – Sheila RalphYorkshire – Gaby RobertshawScotland – Mark Richards (assisted by Lois Bayne-Jardine)Wales – Hilary May-Hill (until October), Vivian Giles

National Representative to CouncilDavid Brown

Knowsley Hall in Merseyside hosted this year’s Hugh Shirreff Lecture

Thanks to all Member properties who promoted Friends membership in this and other ways, and to Friends who introduced new Friends to membership.

A group of HHA Friends visit Cheeseburn Grange Hall, Northumberland

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2014The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2014.

Principal activitiesThe principal activity of the company continued to be that of an association of owners and guardians of historic houses, parks and gardens and places of historic interest in the United Kingdom.

DirectorsThe following directors have held office since 1 April 2013:

Mr Richard Compton – PresidentMr William Parente – Deputy PresidentMr James Birch – Hon. Treasurer Penelope, Viscountess CobhamThe Honourable Simon HowardMr David FursdonMr Nicholas Way – Director General of the HHALord InglewoodSir James Scott, BtSir Richard FitzHerbert, BtMr Alexander HayMrs Martha Lytton CobboldMr Michael More-MolyneuxMr James Saunders Watson (Appointed 12/11/2013)

Charitable donations 2014 2013 £ £During the year the company made the following payments:Charitable donations 4,500 4,825

AuditorsIn accordance with the company’s articles, a resolution proposing that Welbeck Associates be reappointed as auditors of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Statement of directors’ responsibilitiesThe directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

– select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;– make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;– prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of disclosure to auditorsSo far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware. Additionally, the directors have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Liabilities of MembersUnder the Companies Act 2006, the liabilities of the members are limited to the amounts that they have guaranteed to contribute to the Association in the event of its winding up, namely £1 per member.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

By order of the board

Mr Nicholas Way - Director General of the HHASecretary10 September 2014

THE ACCOUNTSINDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOCIATIONWe have audited the financial statements of Historic Houses Association for the year ended 31 March 2014 set out on pages 4 to 10. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of the directors and auditorsAs explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on pages 1 - 2, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Basis of audit opinionAn audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements.

OpinionIn our opinion the financial statements:

– have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and– have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.– give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 March 2014 and of its loss for the year then ended;– In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Mr. Jonathan Bradley-Hoare (Senior Statutory Auditor)for and on behalf of Welbeck Associates Chartered AccountantsStatutory Auditor 30 Percy StreetLondonW1T 2DB

10 September 2014

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THE ACCOUNTSPROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2014

2014 2013 Notes £ £Turnover 1,268,713 1,212,362

Administrative expenses (1,395,448) (1,260,099)Other operating income 126,899 125,470

Operating profit 2 164 77,733

Exceptional items 12 (7,430) -Legacies and donations 11 280 55,971

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before interest (6,986) 133,704

Other interest receivable and similar income 3 2,855 6,649

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (4,131) 140,353

Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities 4 (571) (1,330)

(Loss)/profit for the year 8 (4,702) 139,023

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2014

2014 2013 Notes £ £ £ £

Fixed assetsTangible assets 5 24,787 19,328

Current assetsStocks 3,481 -Debtors 6 167,782 111,034Cash at bank and in hand 1,184,186 1,164,563

1,355,449 1,275,597

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 (324,256) (234,243)

Net current assets 1,031,193 1,041,354

Total assets less current liabilities 1,055,980 1,060,682

Capital and reservesOther reserves 8 133,713 141,143Profit and loss account 8 922,267 919,539

Total funds 9 1,055,980 1,060,682

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 10 September 2014

Mr Nicholas Way Mr James BirchDirector General of the HHA Hon. TreasurerSecretary DirectorCompany Registration No. 02001057

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2014

1 Accounting policies1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and include the results of the company’s operations as indicated in the directors’ report, all of which are continuing. They do not include the net assets and transactions of the regions, nor do they include the results of the activities of the Friends of the Association. The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small company.

1.2 Compliance with accounting standards The financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), which have been applied consistently (except as otherwise stated).

1.3 Turnover Full and corporate member subscriptions are due on 1 April for the following 12 months. Subscription arrears at the balance sheet date have not been included. Friends’ subscriptions cover the year from the date of receipt by the Association and are included in the accounts on a receipts basis.

1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Fixtures, fittings & equipment 33% on cost and 20% on cost

1.5 Leasing Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

1.6 Stock Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

1.7 Deferred taxation Deferred taxation is provided in full in respect of taxation deferred by timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes. The deferred tax balance has not been discounted.

2 Operating profit 2014 2013 £ £ Operating profit is stated after charging: Depreciation of tangible assets 10,688 8,416 Operating lease rentals 25,000 25,000 Auditors’ remuneration (including expenses and benefits in kind) 1,800 1,800 Directors’ remuneration* 126,449 124,025

* All the directors except the Director General are unpaid.

3 Investment income 2014 2013 £ £ Bank interest 2,855 6,649

2,855 6,649

4 Taxation 2014 2013 £ £ Domestic current year tax U.K. corporation tax 571 1,330

Total current tax 571 1,330

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (4,131) 140,353

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation multiplied by standard rate of UK corporation tax of 20.00% (2013 - 20.00%) (826) 28,071

Effects of: Other tax adjustments 1,397 (26,741)

1,397 (26,741)

Current tax charge for the year 571 1,330 Corporation tax is charged only on bank interest received.

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5 Tangible fixed assets Plant and machinery etc

Cost £ At 1 April 2013 90,372 Additions 16,147

At 31 March 2014 106,519

Depreciation At 1 April 2013 71,044 Charge for the year 10,688

At 31 March 2014 81,732

Net book value At 31 March 2014 24,787

At 31 March 2013 19,328

6 Debtors 2014 2013 £ £

Other debtors 167,782 111,034

7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2014 2013 £ £ Taxation and social security 1,730 12,284 Other creditors 322,526 221,959

324,256 234,243

8 Statement of movements on reserves Other Profit and reserves loss (see below) account £ £ Balance at 1 April 2013 141,143 919,539 (Loss) for the year - (4,702) Flavell Legacy Expenditure - 7,430 Movement during the period (7,430) -

Balance at 31 March 2014 133,713 922,267

Other reserves Reserves provided for by the Articles of Association Balance at 1 April 2013 141,143 Other reserve movement (7,430)

Balance at 31 March 2014 133,713

Other reserves comprise: 2014 2013 £ £ Flavell Legacy 128,213 135,643 Disability Fund 500 500 Scargill Legacy 5,000 5,000

Total 133,713 141,143

9 Reconciliation of movements in funds 2014 2013 £ £ (Loss)/profit for the financial year (4,702) 139,023 Opening funds 1,060,682 921,659

Closing funds 1,055,980 1,060,682

10 Financial commitments At 31 March 2014 the company was committed to making the following payments under non-cancellable operating leases in the year to 31 March 2015:

Land and buildings 2014 2013 £ £ Operating leases which expire: Between two and five years 25,000 25,000

11 Legacies and donations received 2014 2013 £ £ William Ellesmere - 26,880 Ursula Schuppli-Vogel - 29,013 Donations £500 and under 280 78 280 55,971

12 Exceptional items 2014 2013 £ £ (Loss)/profit for the year (4,702) 139,022 Exceptional Items: Flavell Legacy Expenditure (7,430) - Legacies and donations 280 55,971 Total Exceptional Items (7,150) 55,971 Profit less exceptional items 2,448 83,052

DETAILED TRADING AND PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2014

2014 2013 £ £ £ £

Turnover

Subscriptions - Full Members 196,870 200,104Subscriptions - Corp Members 55,776 54,848Subscriptions - Friends 1,016,067 957,410

1,268,713 1,212,362

Administrative expenses (1,395,448) (1,260,099)

(126,735) (47,737)

Other operating incomeConferences and seminars 65,435 81,394Publications 129 576Sale of Ties 1,683 -Sponsorship 59,652 43,500

126,899 125,470

Operating profit 164 77,733

Exceptional itemsExceptional items (7,430) - Legacies and donations 280 55,971 (7,150) 55,971Other interest receivable and similar incomeBank interest received 2,855 6,649

(Loss)/profit before taxation (4,131) 140,353

Administrative expenses 2014 2013 £ £Wages and salaries (excl. N.I.) 192,175 169,471 Directors’ remuneration 126,449 124,025 Employer’s N.I. contributions 29,296 27,307 Development Manager and oncosts 43,003 -Staff training 1,658 406 Staff recruitment 10,546 100 Rent re operating leases 25,000 25,000 Rates, service charge and insurance 10,216 9,619 Printing, Publishing & IT 72,851 82,473 Post and Telephone 7,404 6,312 Conferences and meetings 62,310 75,697 Friends membership services 110,171 106,165 Full membership services 4,792 4,553 Payments to regions 23,380 23,016 Journal distribution 114,003 105,758 EHHA 4,966 5,016 Recompense scheme 305,468 294,273 Membership recruitment 21,861 8,140 Learning and Outreach 2,420 3,136 Officer expenses 6,874 9,741 Public relations 34,640 34,251 Marketing 10,351 7,288 Mobile App Development and Promotion - 3,850Special projects 5,694 2,000 Travelling expenses 10,516 11,042Entertaining 11,717 10,790 Legal and prof fees - 398 Advisory services 40,751 36,479 Accountancy 26,323 20,687 Audit fees 1,800 1,800 Bank charges 1,292 1,289 Policy support 22,827 14,243 Membership Survey 4,184 3,331Electronic Recording of Visits 1,193 2,574Friends Survey 6,042 - 40th Anniversary 5,000 - Ties 1,053 - Sundry expenses 22,034 16,628 Charitable donations 4,500 4,825 Depreciation on FF & E 10,688 8,416

1,395,448 1,260,099

This column does not form part of the statutory financial statements.

30

HHA COMMITTEESThe BoardChairman: Richard ComptonJames BirchPenelope, Viscountess CobhamSir Richard FitzHerbert BtDavid FursdonAlexander Hay of DunsThe Hon Simon HowardThe Lord InglewoodThe Hon Mrs Martha Lytton CobboldMichael More-MolyneuxWilliam ParenteJames Saunders Watson (from Nov 13)Sir James Scott Bt Nick Way

Regional Chairmen’s ForumAll Regional ChairmenPresidentDeputy PresidentDirector GeneralPeter SinclairFrances GarnhamNeil Matthews

Taxation and Political CommitteeChairman: Sir James Scott Bt Tim AdamsJames BirchRichard ComptonRuth CornettThe Earl of DerbyEdward HarleyJames Hervey-Bathurst The Lord Inglewood (from Feb 2014)Meriel LaverackWilliam MasseyGiles Mounsey-HeyshamWendy PhilipsJames Saunders WatsonMichael SayerLouise Speke Rhoddy VorembergNick Way

Tourism and Commercial Development CommitteeChairman: The Hon Mrs Martha Lytton CobboldThe Duchess of ArgyllSusie BagotLaura Bogard Sir Brooke Boothby BtJohn Brazier (Secretary)Richard ComptonBernard DonoghueSimon FosterFrances GarnhamJames Hervey-Bathurst John HoyNorman HudsonSir Thomas Ingilby BtJason LindsayCaroline Lowsley-WilliamsAndrew NormanRobert ParkerDavid RonnThe Countess of SandwichPeter SinclairEleni Stephenson ClarkeSarah TroughtonNick Way

Next Generation CommitteeJoint Chairmen/Chairman: William Cartwright-Hignett (until March 2014)Lucy Hawkes (until March 2014)Chairman: Viscount Raynham (from March 2014)Deputy Chairman: Edward Sanguinetti (from March 2014) Suzannah BartlettMagnus BirchTremayne Carew PolePaul FairbairnClare FortescueOliver FursdonJonathan HuntBilly More-NisbettLouise RatcliffGrace Vane-Percy

REGIONAL COMMITTEESCumbria Chairman Henry Bowring, Whelprigg House Deputy Chairman Hal Bagot, Levens Hall Hon Treasurer and Secretary Charles Blackett-Ord Peter and Iona Frost-Pennington, Muncaster Castle Henry Howard, Johnby Hall

East Anglia Chairman William Bevan, Longstowe HallDeputy Chairman Jason Lindsay, Hedingham CastleHon Treasurer Peter Milne, Catton Place Viscount Coke, Holkham Hall The Earl of Iveagh, Elveden Elizabeth Meath Baker, Walsingham Abbey The Hon Dominic Petre, Ingatestone Hall

Louise Ratcliff, Saling Grove (Next Generation) Christopher Vane-Percy, Island Hall

East Midlands Chairman Robert Brackenbury, Holme Pierrepont Hall Deputy Chairman Teri-Lee Wagstaff, Langley Priory Hon Treasurer Robert Brudenell, Deene Park Secretary Rodney Callow Claire Birch, Doddington Hall George Buchanan, Hodsock Priory Lady Cholmeley, Easton Walled Gardens Robert Elwes, Elsham Hall (resigned June 2014) Sir Richard and Lady FitzHerbert Bt, Tissington Hall Lord Edward Manners, Haddon Hall Christopher Nevile, Aubourn Hall (resigned June 2014)

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Andrew Norman, Rockingham Castle The Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle Elizabeth Saunders Watson, Rockingham Castle Alexandra Sitwell, Renishaw Hall Rebecca Speight (resigned June 2014) Simon Chesters Thompson Nicola Wright, Eyam Hall

Heart of England Chairman Michael Fetherston-Dilke, Maxstoke Castle Deputy Chairman Caroline Magnus, Stokesay Court Hon Treasurer Cosy Bagot Jewitt, Blithfield Hall Secretary Caroline Lowsley-Williams, Chavenage Charles Berkeley, Berkeley Castle (Next Generation) David Brown, Pelham Grove The Earl Fortescue, Ebrington Manor Crescent Giffard, Chillington Hall The Marquess of Hertford, Ragley Hall Jan Lucas-Scudamore, Kentchurch Court Alan Monckton, Speedwell Castle Robin Neilson, Catton Hall Gareth Williams, Weston Park

North West Chairman Sarah Callander Beckett, Combermere Abbey Deputy Chairman and Hon Treasurer Mark Blundell, Crosby Hall Secretary Brendan Flanagan, Tatton Park Lucy Arthurs, Leighton Hall (Next Generation) The Viscount Ashbrook, Arley Hall Amanda Baker Wilbraham, Rode Hall (Next Generation) Nicholas Bromley-Davenport, Capesthorne Hall Thomas Codling, Martholme Sir Bernard de Hoghton Bt, Hoghton Tower The Earl of Derby, Knowsley Hall Harold Elletson, Parrox Hall Robert Parker, Browsholme Hall Richard Roundell, Dorfold Hall

Northumbria Chairman Lady Nicholson, Quarry Hill Deputy Chairman Lt Col J M Craster, Craster Tower Hon Treasurer and Secretary Tom Warde-Aldam William Browne-Swinburne, Capheaton Hall William Charlton, Hesleyside Hall Norman Hudson David Ronn Terry Stephens, Angerton Hall Gerard Salvin, Croxdale Hall The Hon Harry Vane, Raby Castle

South East Chairman Michael More-Molyneux, Loseley Park Deputy Chairman Duncan Leslie, Hever Castle Hon Treasurer Richard Pailthorpe, Parham Park Secretary Marylyn Rankin Tim Bacon, Ramsden Farm Edward Barham, Hole Park Rupert Clark James Cooper, Stansted Park The Viscount Hampden, Glynde Place Marice Kendrick, Boughton Monchelsea Place James Peill, Goodwood James Sellick, Pashley Manor Eleni Stephenson Clarke, Borde Hill Andrew Wells, Mere House

Thames & Chilterns Chairman The Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle Deputy Chairman and Secretary Sarah Taylor, Rycote Park Hon Treasurer The Hon Henry Holland-Hibbert, Munden Fiona Heyward, Haseley Court The Hon Mrs Martha Lytton Cobbold, Knebworth House Timothy Oliver, Hampden House James Puxley, Welford Park Adrian Scrope, Chilton Lodge

Wessex Chairman Charles Eden, Culver Deputy Chairman The Hon Henry Digby, Minterne (Next Generation) Hon Treasurer Alice Kennard, Forde Abbey Secretary Sheila Ralph William Cartwright-Hignett, Iford Manor (Next Generation) Sir John Cave Bt, Sidbury Manor Rebecca Dobson, Hill Place Anthony Fortescue, Boconnoc Lady Gass, Fairfield Bridget Mackwood, Gatcombe Court Mark Roper, Forde Abbey Paul SmalleySir Hugh Stucley Bt, Hartland Abbey

Yorkshire Chairman The Hon William Hotham, Dalton Hall Hon Treasurer Ian Curteis, Markenfield Hall Secretary Gaby Robertshaw, Farfield Hall

Scotland Chairman Alexander Hay of Duns, Duns Castle Deputy Chairman and Hon Treasurer Earl of Southesk, Kinnaird Castle (until June 14) Deputy Chairman Earl of Hopetoun, Hopetoun House (from June 14) Hon Treasurer Earl of Southesk, Kinnaird Castle (from June 14) Secretary Clare Sorensen Co-ordinator Lois Bayne-Jardine Caroline Borwick, The Carriage House Lady Campbell, Kilbryde Castle Douglas Connell The Countess of Haddington, Mellerstain House (resigned June 14) Finlay Lockie, Northfield House Catherine Maxwell Stuart, Traquair House Sarah Troughton, Blair Castle

WalesChairman Michael Tree, Hendre House Deputy Chairman Sir Brooke Boothby Bt, Fonmon Castle Hon Treasurer and Secretary Tim Lee Miranda Dechazal, Hartsheath House Jane Harvey, Cornwall HouseRichard Knight, Nottage Court (until November 2013) Thomas Lloyd, Court Henry Thomas Methuen-Campbell, Penrice Castle David Pryse-Lloyd, Panteg Jeremy Rye, Brithdir Hall

Northern Ireland Chairman Gavin Mackie, Larchfield House Deputy Chairman Danny Kinahan, Castle Upton (from July 14) Secretary and Council representative Sarah Mackie, Larchfield House (from July 14)

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CHARITABLE ACTIVITIESThe HHA continues its strong support for key heritage charities which provide much-needed help and recognition for historic houses.

The Heritage Conservation Trust The HHA supports the work of the Heritage Conservation Trust (HCT), which gives grants for three purposes:

● the conservation, maintenance and restoration of works of art and objects of outstanding artistic, scientific and historic interest in historic houses open to the public ● educational, access and training initiatives in and about historic houses and gardens ● research projects linked closely to the conservation of the historic or artistic contents of houses.

The HCT is dependent on generous donations from individuals, organisations, regional groups of the Friends of the HHA and HHA Regions themselves. To encourage longer term funding, through legacies, an HCT leaflet has been promoted in the Law Society Gazette’s Charity and Appeals Directory and is available to professional Corporate Members of the HHA.

The HCT financial year runs from April to March. In the year to the end of March 2014 grants and donations to the Trust amounted to £10,600. During the financial year the HCT made grants totalling £16,698 towards the Hands On educational project at Doddington in Lincolnshire, the restoration of a portrait of Sir Thomas Palmer at Dorney in Berkshire, a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds at Pencarrow in Cornwall, three paintings at Trewithen in Cornwall, a portrait by Batoni at

Chillington a painting by George Edwards Hering at Ballywalter Park in Northern Ireland and a portrait of Edmund Sheffield at Sutton Park in Yorkshire. Chawton House Library in Hampshire received funding for a combined educational and restoration project “Conservation in Action”.

As at the end of March outstanding work, for which grants of £31,410 had also been approved, included restoration of paintings at Elton Hall in Peterborough, Dorney in Berkshire, Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire and Rokeby Park in County Durham. This sum also included support for an educational project at Great Dixter in East Sussex, and the continuing project at Chawton House Library.

Since the beginning of the current financial year in April 2014 the HCT has approved further grants of £16,750 for restoration of the John Piper triptych at Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire, restoration of three paintings at Auckland Castle in County Durham and a contribution over three years toward the creation of a Learning Loft at Cambo House in Fife.

The Trust continues to research the need for restoration grant support at a number of historic houses; meanwhile applications from individual houses and donations to the trust are warmly encouraged.

Heritage Education TrustAs a founder member, the HHA continues to work closely with the Heritage Education Trust (HET) which promotes excellence in heritage education. The HET manages the prestigious kite-mark for quality in heritage education, the Sandford Awards and warm congratulations go to Bramall Hall in Cheshire, Bowhill House in Selkirk, Combe Sydenham Hall in Somerset and No 1 Royal Crescent in Bath all received Awards this year.

Below: Caroline Baker; conservator at work at Chawton House, HampshireBelow right: Bramhall Hall in Cheshire

SUPPORTING THE HHAThe following have generously sponsored various important elements of the Association’s work and activities over the past year. The HHA is most grateful for their support.

Hall-McCartney Ltd