Felix Cobbold Trust News
Stanaway Farmhouse renovation
The Trust has been awarded a Highly Commended Quality of Place Award for Building Conservation by East Suffolk Council for the restoration of Stanaway Farmhouse, a quintessential seventeenth century, oak-framed, grade II listed Suffolk house. In common with properties of its age and type, the house has needed frequent repairs to all parts of its structure. During the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century, out-houses, garages, kitchen and utility rooms were added to it in attempts at modernisation. These additions were not always carried out sympathetically, and resulted in an unattractive hotch-potch of materials and styles.
In recent years, the need for repairs had become so frequent as to be almost continuous. Trustees decided to call upon Ed Thuell of Whitworths, architects at Bury St Edmunds, to carry out a thorough survey and advise on how best to proceed. The report could hardly have been worse; it was damp, the timber frame had deteriorated badly and in parts only the plaster was holding it together.
Trustees decided to act quickly, which involved demolishing all 20th century additions, stripping back to the timber frame, replacing with new green oak where necessary, replacing many roof timbers, installing insulation and heating to modern standards, counteracting the cause of damp and stripping back sound interior timbers to original condition. The old attics were converted into bedrooms with a new bathroom. Externally, unattractive concrete areas and ugly walls were removed, so that the house could sit in its pleasant half-acre plot.
A state-of-the-art kitchen and bedroom with luxury en-suite facilities were added in a modern, two storey wing at the rear of the building, connected to the house by a single storey link, thus preserving the integrity of the old while providing the convenience of the new.
Was it worth the effort and expense? The new tenants answer with an emphatic, “Yes.” Far more importantly, a classic Suffolk farmhouse has been saved from dereliction and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Felix Thornley Cobbold would approve.
Trustee reappointments
John Field, Mike May and John Wall were reappointed Trustees to serve for another three years to 2023.
Chairman and Vice-Chairman
James Forrest was re-elected Chairman and Alan Hawes was re-elected Vice-chairman to serve until the next annual general meeting, November 2021.
Hope Farm development
The first stage of planning permission to develop part of Hope Farm has been granted. Agreement between planning officers and the Trust's development partners, Pigeon, for a section 106 agreement is at an advanced stage.
Grant awards
Trustees agreed to make seven new awards, one to a student for further education, one for public education, four for research projects and one for capital equipment.
Total value of new grants awarded was £16,290.
Total value of all grants paid in the year was £96,012.
Total value of all grants paid in the year was £96,012.
John Forrest Memorial Award
16 applications had been received for the training course in effective communications, to be held at Madingly Hall, Cambridge, 7-9 January 2020. Unfortunately, the course had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The students selected will be offered places on the next course to be held on 4-6 January 2022.
SNC Suffolk Rural
Trustees have been in discussion with Viv Gillespie, Principal of Suffolk New College, to explore ways in which the Trust could support the college. Mrs Gillespie to raise with colleagues.