Francis Terry: The National Trust’s duty to champion crafts
After the fire of 1989, the National Trust trained sculptors in the art of freehand stucco modelling for the ambitious restoration project. The ceiling of the Staircase Hall is entirely new except for one small piece of original plaster in the central boss.
Francis Terry writes to the Sunday Telegraph that the National Trust has an opportunity to promote heritage crafts at Clandon Park.
SIR – I note with delight that the King has launched a “quest to seek out Britain’s brightest heritage craft talents” (report, February 2).
As a classical architect, I frequently need to call upon the skills of a dwindling pool of craftsmen and women to carry out a variety of traditional building trades. This could be the skills of a stuccodore to produce an ornate plasterwork ceiling, a skilled mason to carve a Corinthian capital, or even, in a few cases, a person (usually a woman) to create a shell grotto.
We are indeed fortunate in the UK because we still have some of the best traditional craftsmen and women in the world. I have witnessed the high level of skill in wood and stone carving, ornate plasterwork, flint knapping and myriad other heritage crafts that are still flourishing in this country.
My concern is that these people need exciting new work to keep them employed and bring a younger generation into these trades. For this reason, I am distressed that the National Trust would like to keep Clandon Park House as a ruin following the devastating fire of 2015. This is a new, timid philosophy, which needs to be stamped out. Back in 1989, when Uppark in West Sussex suffered a similar fire, the National Trust turned a tragedy into an inspiring restoration project. This was the catalyst for a revival in heritage crafts, whose benefits we are still reaping today.
The National Trust must see its error and, for the sake of our homegrown craftsmen, instead of leaving the house as a ruin, commission a faithful restoration, so that a new generation can keep these skills alive into the future.
Francis Terry
Colchester, Essex
Clandon Park’s fate
Some responses to Francis Terry’s letter which appeared on 2 March
SIR – The letter (February 23) from Francis Terry, a classical architect, rightly praises the work of the many craftsmen who restored Uppark after the devastating fire in 1989.
How fortunate for the National Trust at that time to have as its chief agent Julian Prideaux (Obituaries, February 22), who, together with Peter Pearce – the Trust agent assigned to the project – sought not to leave Uppark in its ruined state.
How different are the attitudes of those running the National Trust today compared to when my father, Sir Frederick Bishop, was the director-general (1971-75) – and what an opportunity it is missing by leaving Clandon Park as a ruin.
It is especially galling at a time when, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the King’s Foundation, formed the year after the fire, King Charles is launching a search for 35 young charity ambassadors to fly the flag for his beloved heritage crafts (report, February 2).
Mary Biggs
Fernhurst, West Sussex
SIR – It is a calamity that the National Trust plans to leave Clandon Park as a ruin. We should all object in the strongest possible terms. As Francis Terry says, this is a golden opportunity for the Trust to help develop craft skills.
Ken Cowdry
Stourbridge
SIR – I’m sure I’m not the only National Trust member who is appalled by its refusal to rebuild Clandon Park. Given his quest to seek out Britain’s brightest heritage craft talents, I wonder if the King’s views on the subject would alter the Trust’s position.
It has ignored members for too long, with its undemocratic “quick vote” system. Would it do the same to its patron? With imagination, it could turn the rebuild into a school for the talents the King wishes to encourage.
Charles Penfold
Ulverston, Cumbria
Model for Clandon
On 9 March 2025 Mave Turner wrote to the Sunday Telegraph that the management of the National Trust should look to the example of Copped Hall in Essex as a way of restoring Clandon House while engaging the public, while Philip Duly recalls meeting Julian Prideaux.
SIR – Recently, I visited Copped Hall in Essex, which suffered even greater damage than Clandon Park (Letters, March 2), having been an empty shell since a fire in 1917. Between 1950 and 1960 everything of value was stripped from the site and parts were even dynamited – leaving everything overgrown with sycamore and brambles. Between 1986 to 1995, massive development schemes were repeatedly fought off. This led to a local charitable trust being formed in 1995, which helped raise money privately and, piece by piece, the building is being restored under the guidance of a charismatic chairman, excellent craftsman and a team of 160 volunteers.
Seeing the bare bones of a Georgian mansion, and the transformation taking place, is fascinating. Even though not finished, it is extensively used for educational, cultural and community purposes.
The National Trust has much to learn from this project and I suggest its chairman visits Copped Hall to see what a visitor attraction the restoration of a beautiful building can be.
Mave Turner London N6
SIR – I had the huge privilege of meeting Julian Prideaux (Obituaries, February 22) while on holiday in Madeira five years ago.
Julian’s unrivalled knowledge of, and passion for, historic houses – whether in the care of the National Trust or in private ownership with public access to members of Historic Houses – had me enthralled throughout the week.
We enjoyed many hours discussing these properties and their illustrious owners, some of which had been acquired by the Trust when he was its chief agent.
He told me had visited every National Trust property, so I set about trying to find one that I had visited that he had not.
On our last day together, I asked him if he had been to tiny Oakhurst Cottage in Hambledon, Surrey. He smiled and whispered: “No, I have not.”
Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey