The Trustees of Holland House, the independent charity whichoperates the retreat House in Cropthorne, Worcestershire, has succeeded inmeeting its initial minimum target of 100,000 for its Anniversary Appeal andhas largely completed the restoration of the chapel which was one of the mainobjects of its appeal.
However in the light of additional works to the originalhistoric house which have continued to be identified since the appeal waslaunched the Trustees are keeping it open and raising the minimum target to125,000 to ensure the fabric of the house can be protected for futuregenerations.
Support for theappeal has come from a wide range of sources. The Friends of Holland House havemade a significant contribution as have a range of local and national trusts.There has also been a generous response from individuals and local churchestogether with grants from Wychavon District Council and the Listed Places ofWorship Scheme.
Anthony Glossop, lead Trustee for the Appeal and theRefurbishment works, said The Trustees are extremely grateful for the generoussupport the Appeal has received and hope that this will continue. The Chapelhas quite simply been transformed. It is now a warm, welcoming, light and airyspace retaining and enhancing the best features of the original design. It willserve the users of the house well for many years to come and has alreadyattracted numerous compliments from those who have seen it.
Work on the chapel has taken place in three phases:
In December 2016, the roof was insulated and underlined anda new energy efficient lighting scheme installed. This was funded by donationsfrom the Friends and the Severn Waste Environmental Fund.
In July, the original single glazed soft wood framed westwindow, which was in a poor state of repair was replaced with a double glazedaluminium window cleverly designed by Monarch Home Improvements to replicatefaithfullythe principal features of itspredecessor. It was funded by an earlier appeal in memory of Peter Middlemiss,a former warden of the House, gifts from individuals and donations from the D GAllbright, R & D Turner and Saintbury Trusts.
The third and final phase, now largely complete, has seenrepairs to a roof valley gutter, replacement of the rainwater goods,replacement of the four single glazed side windows with three double glazedaluminium framed windows and a matching disabled access door, lining andinsulating the walls and a comprehensive redecoration. This was funded byfurther gifts from churches as well as individuals, many of whom gave in memory of the Revd Canon David Rodgers,Chairman of the Friends for over ten years, who did so much to support theAnniversary Appeal, but tragically died before he could see the successfuloutcome of his efforts, continued support from the Friends and furtherdonations from charities including The Misses Barrie, the CB & HH Taylor,the Bernard Piggott, All Churches and W A Cadbury and Edward Cadbury Trusts.
Anthony continued: During 2017 many people have continuedto visit Holland House to find a place for quiet reflection, enjoy the topquality home-cooked food or simply stroll around the gardens. It was awonderful effort by the staff to organise another highly successful year ofactivities whilst the refurbishment was taking place.
Call Holland House on 01386 860330 for further informationabout the appeal or to donate by credit or debit card or send a cheque or CAFvoucher made payable to Holland House c/o Tarn Heeks, Holland House, MainStreet, Cropthorne, Worcestershire WR10 3NB
