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19th September 2024
The new board of trustees, established earlier this year, met in person for the first time in the village Memorial Hall, just around the corner from the cottage. The day-long agenda included detailed discussion of the best approach to funding; the phasing of the restoration work; how best to develop appropriate community engagement and involvement ; and the challenge of achieving sustainable transport. There were also meetings at the cottage with Martyn White, Arun District Council Conservation officer and Liz Pollard, Heritage at Risk Project Officer for Historic England.
The day ended with public meeting held in the Blake Centre at Felpham Community College. Nearly 100 people attended to discuss the future of the cottage with the trustees and ambassadors. It was a chance for the board, led by Doug Nicholls, to outline the collaborative approach the trust is taking to developing the project. Many interesting and useful ideas came from the participants during the 90 minute meeting. Those attending also gave generously to support the restoration work.
11th September 2024
An asbestos survey of the cottage was carried out.
10th September 2024
The third meeting of the Restoration Sub-group was held. The group of 4 trustees, Doug Nicholls, Jonathan Mullard, David Clarke and RIchard Clemmow is working with expert advisors Nick Tyson (BCT Ambassador) and Ian Wightman on the details of commissioning and phasing the restoration and building works.
9th September 2024
Our chair, Doug Nicholls, addressed Bognor Historical Society on the Blakes and their times and the cottage.
Charles Howell, son of Heather Howell who sold the cottage to the Trust, revisited his family home and pledged support for the new efforts of the Trust.
8th September 2024
Our chair, Doug Nicholls, visited a group of local Blake enthusiasts to discuss establishing a local arts programme while the cottage is being restored and performing previously successfully performed plays about Blake.
6th September 2024
An expert timber framer commenced a detailed survey of the roof and rafters to provide information on the extent of the repair work needed to secure the roof.
5th September 2024
The Telegraph published a travel feature on the cottage which can be viewed from this link.
3rd September 2024
A local arts teacher visited the cottage to consider ways of engaging schools in activities related to the cottage and the Blakes.
2nd September 2024
We have started discussions about future gallery displays at the cottage including the possibility of using virtual and augmented reality technologies to give visitors the best possible impression of what the cottage was like when William and Catherine lived there.