Historic house project calls for new Trustees

The charitable trust behind the project to restore and invigorate an historic house on the outskirts of Exeter are looking for new trustees with specialist skills.

Poltimore House is an 18th century Grade II* listed country house which was owned by the distinguished Bampfylde family for around 500 years. Since it was sold off in 1921, it has variously been a girls’ school, a college for boys, a private hospital, part of the NHS and a retirement home.

Partly destroyed by fire in 1987, the once elegant house which once boasted having a “Spacious Hall, 7 Reception Rooms, Billiard Room, 46 Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms and Domestic Offices”, became increasingly derelict.

Efforts from English Heritage, East Devon District Council and eventually the Buildings at Risk Trust saved it from destruction and since 2000, it was acquired by the Poltimore House Trust whose charitable objectives are “to preserve for the benefit of the people of Devon and nation at large the building of special and architectural and historic interest known as Poltimore House in the County of Devon and its grounds and setting and any adjoining land or buildings which formed part of the Poltimore Estate.”

The house caught the attention of the nation winning the South West round of BBC2’s Restoration programme in 2003 where the public voted to decide which ‘at risk’ buildings should be saved for posterity. Sadly, Poltimore missed out in the national vote and the prize money that went with it.

Ashley Fawcett, Chair of Poltimore House Trust, said: “We face a massive and multifaceted challenge and we need a range of professional skills to help guide us on how to reach our objectives which embrace developing the house as a creative and innovative learning hub, a focus for education, training and research and a venue for cultural and business events.

“We are now looking for two new and highly motivated trustees one with a background in finance and the other with a track record in heritage related projects.

“We have embarked on a long and complex journey but one that is supported by vision, commitment and enthusiasm. If this resonates with people with the expertise we need, we would love to hear from them.”

Anyone interested in joining the Poltimore House Trust as a trustee can contact ashley.fawcett@poltimore.org