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Early in 2001, the owner of the Archbishop's Palace invited discussions with a building preservation trust to explore ways in which the medieval complex might be enjoyed by the whole community. In the three years that followed, the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust undertook a major feasibility study, worked up an architectural scheme, targeted funding and addressed the planning issues surrounding buildings listed Grade I by English Heritage and also scheduled as an Ancient Monument.
The project came to the attention of the nation, when it was entered into the second BBC television series of "Restoration". Today, the Palace is in private ownership but the owner confirmed to the BBC that it was her hope that, one day, the Palace might be the property of a building preservation trust. The Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust is a registered charity dedicated to the preservation of the built heritage in the South East of England. The Archbishop's Palace is the Trust's second major project since its foundation in 1995.
After winning the South East round in the "Restoration" competition, the Palace was beaten in the final. However, the Palace was seen not only in the Restoration series, but also in "Restoration Nation", another BBC heritage series, televised nationally. The last programme was dedicated entirely to the Archbishop's Palace and featured the pied piper arch around the village supported by local children, parents and other villagers. The enthusiasm and support of the community who held open days, pageants and many other events to promote the cause of the Palace will be a very important factor in both funding and planning terms. Returning to the work that had to be suspended during the Restoration competition, the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust and the owner of the Palace are redoubling their efforts to bring their discussions to a successful conclusion.
Friends of the Archbishop's Palace formed With the gallant effort of the local community and the voting strength of the South East, enormous interest was generated in the Archbishop's Palace during the Restoration competition. The Parish, Local and County Councils supported the Palace campaign. Businesses contributed and the campaign received substantial donations from the public.
Accordingly, the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust has formed the Friends of the Archbishop's Palace as a focus for information about the project. Funds raised by the Friends will be segregated in an account maintained by the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust for the benefit of the Palace project. As reported elsewhere, the Trust is a registered charity, subject to annual statutory audit. The Trust's entry appears on the Charity Commission web site www.charitycommission.gov.uk
Work of the Friends of the Archbishop's Palace The Friends will receive a regular newsletter and advance notice of events to be held for the benefit of the Palace project. The Friends will meet semi annually to hear reports from the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust and to share ways in which the community can contribute towards the furtherance of the Palace project.
In order that people can immediately participate in the activity of the Friends, the Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust has set the annual subscription for the first year at £10; this amount may be varied by vote at a meeting of the Friends at the end of the first year. To become a Friend, please write, in the first instance, to Alex MacLaren, Secretary, Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust 27, Orchard Street, Canterbury, Kent. CT2 SAP, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. A form will be sent with the reply to enable the project to benefit from the tax relief afforded through the Gift Aid provision. The Trust hopes to receive help from members of the Charing community in running the Friends.
At the time of going to press, the Palace remains the property of a private owner and whilst both project feasibility and architectural schemes are complete, planning consents and property transfer have yet to be agreed. The sale and modern re use of a Scheduled Ancient Monument requires exhaustive submissions to the supervising institutions. The Traditional Buildings Preservation Trust must observe the usual privacy of contract in their dialogue with the owner and confidentiality in submissions to public bodies. Inevitably, these constraints prevent the Trust from providing the Friends with information until approved for release by the parties concerned. Nevertheless, the Trust wall strive to keep the Friends as up to date with developments as possible..
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