a brief history - Country Land & Business Association

Wentworth Woodhouse - a brief history
Wentworth Woodhouse was commissioned by the Fitzwilliam family -
one of the wealthiest in the country, whose power and riches put them on
par with royalty. It has always been something of a mystery as few people
know the house, and fewer have witnessed its palatial grandeur.
The current house was built by the first Marquis of Rockingham and
incorporates part of an earlier manor house built in 1630. It was a political
power house and has been worked on by many famous architects
and craftsmen of the times. It has two distinctive architectural styles -
Palladian and Baroque - the east front being the Palladian style (which is
also the largest façade of any English country house) and the west front
(where most of the families have lived) is the Baroque style.
When current owners, Clifford and Giles Newbold, bought the house
in the early 2000s it had been stripped clean of fixtures and fittings by
the government in lieu of death duties when the last Earl died. Since
then, the Newbolds have spent a great deal of time and money tracking
down simple items including a fire grate in a London saleroom and a bell
board, which told servants where to go in the house, in Dublin. Despite
their efforts, many family portraits are now held by the National Portrait
Gallery, while other artworks and statues from the house are scattered
around the globe.
Despite what has happened, the stunning interiors of Wentworth
Woodhouse have stood their many tests, and the splendid state rooms,
including the Pillared Hall are still magnificent to behold.
The house is still very much work in progress but opened to the public
for the first time in September last year, after being closed and a private
residence for over 25 years.
Booking form and ticket application
Please complete the form on the reverse, detach and send promptly to the regional office address on the
back cover – not forgetting to enclose your cheque. We have negotiated additional spaces for this year’s
AGM, so members may bring more than one guest if required.
COUNTRY LAND & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Yorkshire Branch Committee 2012-13
Mr A Barber-Lomax
Estate Office, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TD
Mr J N Barnard
Morton Grange, East Harlsey, Northallerton DL6 2BL
Mrs B Bell
Langcliffe Hall, Settle BD24 9LY
Mr W H Booth
Hazlehead House, Penistone, Sheffield S36 9NN
Mr J T W Bush
Denton Park Estate, Home Farm, Denton, Ilkley LS29 0HF
Mr J R Campbell
Oneholmes Farm, Stokesley, Middlesbrough TS9 5NJ
Mr C H J Carver
Manor House, North Cave, Brough, HU15 2LW
Mr T A Chaytor-Norris Croft Hall, Croft, Darlington DL2 2TB
Mr C P W P Consett
Moorhouse Farm, Thornton Le Street, Thirsk YO7 4DY
Mr A Cooke
Old House Farm, Stubbs Walden, Doncaster DN6 9BU
Mr S Cunliffe-Lister
Estate Office, Burton Agnes, Driffield, YO25 4NB
Vice Chairman: The Marquess of Downshire Clifton Castle, Ripon HG4 4AB
Mr J A Fife
Langton Hall, Northallerton DL7 0PX
Chairman: Mr C D Forbes Adam The Estate Office, Escrick, York YO19 6LB
Mr G A Gaunt
Paddock House Farm, Sicklinghall, Wetherby LS22 4BL
Mr TRN Harrison-Topham Ashes Farm, Caldbergh, Leyburn DL8 4RP
President: Mr W J Henderson Kelber, Coniston Cold, Skipton, BD23 4EQ
Mr J Holtby
Dowthorpe Hall, Hull Road, Skirlaugh, Hull HU11 5AE
The Hon W B Hotham Dalton Hall, South Dalton, Beverley HU17 7PW
Lord Masham
Swinton, Ripon, N Yorkshire HG4 4JH
Lord Middleton
The Estate Office, Birdsall, Malton YO17 9NU
Mr R Murray Wells
Ness Hall, East Ness, Nunnington, York YO62 5XD
Mr T Naylor-Leyland Estate Office, Old Maltongate, Malton YO17 7EG
Mr S H Ramsden
Northsidehead Farm, Middlesmoor, Harrogate HG3 5SU
Miss J S Rangecroft Cayton Grange, Ridey, Harrogate HG3 3NB
Mr R B Rimington Wilson Broomhead, Bolsterstone, Sheffield S36 4ZA
Mr A F D Roberts
Mossdale, Coniston, Skipton BD23 5HS
Mr S P Roberts
Kingthorpe House, Kingthorpe, Pickering YO18 7NG
Mr J Robinson
High Scamridge Farm, Snainton, Scarborough, YO13 9PT
Mr J Savile
The Estate Office, Hawnby, York YO62 5LS
Mr R J Scholefield
Folds Farm, Castle Carr Road, Wainstalls, Halifax HX2 7TR
Mr K Storey
Settrington House, Settrington, Malton YO17 8NP
Mrs E Sutcliffe
Kildale Estate, Kildale Hall, Kildale, Whitby Yo21 2RQ
Mr A T Thornton-Berry Swinithwaite Hall, Leyburn DL8 4UH
Mr R M Wilson
Cliffe Hall, Piercebridge, Darlington DL2 3SR
Mr G G Winn-Darley Aldby Park, Buttercrambe, York YO41 1XU
Mr W B Woods
Bowforth House, Welburn, Kirkbymoorside, York YO62 6HJ
Sir William Worsley
The Estate Office, Hovingham, York YO62 4LX
Minutes of Last AGM
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held
at Ampleforth Abbey Estate, North Yorkshire
on Friday 8 June.
There were five apologies for absence.
1. Minutes of the 2011 Annual General
Meeting:
The Minutes of the 2011 Annual General
Meeting held on Monday 16 May at
Sledmere House, Driffield which had been
previously circulated were approved and
signed.
2. Branch Chairman’s Report:
Mr Forbes-Adam presented his report for
the year 2011/12 which was received by
the meeting.
3. Election of Officers and Committee:
The following were duly elected:
a. President: Mr W J Henderson
b. Branch Committee:
i. Retirements - The following resigned:
Mr C Legard, Mr R Tempest and
Mr K Littleboy. The following retired and
sought re-election: Mr C D Forbes Adam,
Mr W B Woods and Mr W R Worsley.
ii. New Members - Mr C H J Carver and
Mr S Cunliffe-Lister.
4. Branch Representatives to Council:
The following were duly elected as
Branch Representatives to Council:
Mr C D Forbes Adam,
Mr T A Chaytor-Norris, The Marquess
of Downshire and Mr G G Winn-Darley.
5. Any Other Business:
Mr S Foster raised concerns regarding
the handling of the Long Service Awards
by the Game Fair department.
INVITATION TO THE
CLA Yorkshire
Annual General Meeting
Friday 31 May 2013
Wentworth Woodhouse
Unfortunately we are unable to make a refund if you have to cancel for any reason.
REGIONAL TEAM
The Yorkshire branch of the CLA would once again like to thank Wrigleys Solicitors for their valued support.
.org.uk
Regional Director:
Policy & Public Affairs Director:
PR & Comms Manager:
Regional Adviser:
Regional Surveyor:
Regional Administrator:
Regional Administrator:
Dorothy Fairburn
Douglas Chalmers
Daniel Curtois
Jane Harrison
Jacqui Stoddart
Nikki Brown
Sarah Lister
Aske Stables, Aske,
Richmond, DL10 5HG
Tel: 01748 907070
Fax: 01748 907075
Email: north@cla.org.uk
cla.org.uk

This year’s Annual General Meeting, generously
supported by Wrigleys Solicitors, is to be held
on Friday 31 May at Wentworth Woodhouse,
Wentworth, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Wentworth Woodhouse is one of the finest and grandest Georgian
houses in England. It is one of the most expensive ever built and
ranks amongst Britain’s largest and most important country houses.
Many of the house’s contents, commissioned and built up by the
Fitzwilliam family, were taken by the government in lieu of death duties
when the last Earl died. Still very much a shell, the house is currently
undergoing a major renovation project to try to piece-back its history.
Programme for the day
10.30am
11am
1pm
2.15pm
4pm
Registration and coffee on arrival
AGM and presentations
CLA President, Harry Cotterell
Matthew Wrigley of Wrigleys Solicitors
Welcome to Wentworth Woodhouse from Clifford
and Giles Newbold
Pre-lunch drinks
Lunch
Tours of Wentworth Woodhouse
Depart
Notice of the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Yorkshire Branch of
the Country Land and Business Association to be held at Wentworth
Woodhouse at 11am on Friday 31 May.
Agenda
Apologies for absence.
1. Minutes of the 2012 Annual General Meeting held at
Ampleforth Abbey Estate, North Yorkshire on Friday 8 June
2. Report of the Branch Chairman, Mr C D Forbes Adam
3. Election of Officers and Committee Members
4. Election of Branch Representatives to Council
5. Any Other Business of which due notice shall have
been given
D U Fairburn
Regional Director
Last year will probably be most remembered for the appalling weather
conditions that farmers had to endure - from facing drought 12 months
ago to ending the year as the second wettest on record. As I write, the old
adage: “Ne’er cast a clout’ til May is out,” seems wholly appropriate.
The rural economy was hardest hit by the poor weather with a financial
black hole on Britain’s farms amounting to more than £1 billion. Farmers
and land managers have lost valuable crops and are also facing huge
feed bills for their livestock. Many fear the effects will have carried over
into 2013’s production. This vulnerability in our food production is another
reminder of why the CLA’s role in the current CAP negotiations is so vitally
important for securing the future of farming in Yorkshire and beyond.
The CLA has excellent access
to ministers in the coalition
government and its pro-growth
agenda. Our influence was
clearly illustrated earlier this
year when the government
agreed to relax planning
restrictions around old
agricultural buildings allowing
them to be converted without
having to go through the
difficult and costly full planning
application process.
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
Bad weather has dominated the agenda over
the last year
The CLA has to be strong to compete for the government’s ear against
the efforts of other campaigning groups, which are often single interest
and well-funded, and directly opposing policies that favour our members’
business interests. We can see political developments in Scotland that
would further threaten the interests of the owners of rural land and
property, including moves to support vicarious liability (where landowners
are prosecuted for the wrongdoings of their employees) the absolute right
to buy for farm tenants and moves to de-value land.
Your CLA membership has never been so important. I thank you for
your support and ask you to continue helping us in the fight to protect
landowners’ rights.
CAP reform
The CLA has strengthened its lobbying resource in Brussels working well
with the European Landowners Organisation as well as the NFU, lobbying
hard to ensure a fair deal for our farmers and robustly defending our
stance on capping, greening and the definition of “active farmer.”
There is still a long way to go. This is the first CAP reform that includes
the European Parliament in the negotiating process. I do sometimes ask
myself if this inclusion of democracy is useful given that many MEPs can
be described as “interestingly different” at best. Also, we are constantly
communicating with Defra and the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson.
The CLA has been engaged with CAP reform for at least five years - far
longer than many other organisations - and consequently I believe we are
listened to at national and international levels.
Tax
More core CLA business continues as further taxation threats to
landowners are announced including continued rumblings about
Agricultural Property Relief, the introduction of a Mansion Tax as well
as ongoing difficulties concerning VAT on listed building repairs. The tax
team and our Heritage Advisor, Jonathan Thompson, all work incredibly
hard to inject simplification and common sense into the proceedings.
Horsemeat/food labelling
Food labelling came under the spotlight again recently as a result of
the horsemeat scandal. The CLA has been active in the area of food
labelling for a number of years. In 2006, we launched the Just Ask
campaign to push for those in the food service sector to recognise the
importance of labelling on the products served to the consumer.
Effective labelling of food products is crucial. But also is the actual
provenance of the food on offer. If, as a result of the horsemeat scandal,
the consumer is to become more reliant on local sourcing, then this will
be an indirect benefit.
However this will only be short term and the British shopper will
inevitably go back to the supermarket which is why we will continue to
send a clear message to the consumer that buying locally guarantees
a form of security that clearly has not been the case in the retail chain.
Forestry
Our forests are under attack from diseases such as Chalara fraxinea
(ash dieback) and Phytophthora ramorum in larch. We are calling for
a culture change within Defra and the Forestry Commission so foresters
are recognised as the best early detectors of tree pests and diseases.
The recent announcement on managing Chalara fraxinea involved
a classic case of persistent and intelligent lobbying by the CLA, with the
help of several interested Yorkshire members. I think we can take full
credit for the inclusion of trials for chemical applications to potentially
prevent Chalara. This is a step in the right direction but the crucial issue
now is proper funding for research. We are lucky to have Mike Seville as
our Forest and Woodlands Adviser at headquarters because he is highly
respected throughout the industry. On a lighter note, the debate still
rages on about how to pronounce these diseases.
Crime
Yorkshire now has a number of Police and Crime Commissioners
(PCCs) to ensure local policing meets the needs of local communities.
If you haven’t already made contact with yours, I would urge you to
do so to ensure rural crime is on the agenda. So far, I have met Julia
Mulligan for North Yorkshire and Martin Grove for Humberside (pity
about the regrettable geographical reversion). In Yorkshire, your branch
committee intends to have more formal meetings with all PCCs, so
please do not hesitate to get in touch with either myself or the regional
office at Aske if you would like to contribute.
Badger cull
This is sure to be big news again in 2013. The CLA is fully supportive of
the cull to help combat the unacceptably high toll on cattle and farmers’
livelihoods that TB is causing. Harry Cotterell, our national President, has
been working hard behind the scenes to steer this important exercise in
the right direction.
Campaigning
Last year the CLA campaigned on a range of rural issues including a
reduction in red tape for the equine industry, VAT relief on static caravans,
a halt to empty property taxes, improved broadband delivery and rights for
landowners in the iniquitous compulsory purchase system to name but a few.
We have just launched a new tourism paper calling on the Government to
cut VAT on the supply of rural tourism services from 20 percent to seven
percent in a bid to support the industry.
Events
The 2012 Annual General Meeting at Ampleforth Abbey was a great day
out (despite the vagaries of the weather) and an interesting venue. The
Abbey Trust are keen members of the CLA and we would like to thank all
the team at Ampleforth for their efforts as well as Wrigleys Solicitors for
their continued support.
I am really looking forward to this year’s AGM at Wentworth Woodhouse -
centrepiece of the book Black Diamonds (a must read for all landowners).
There will be a fascinating tour of the house, which the current owners are
currently trying to piece back together after many of its contents were taken
by the government in lieu of death duties when the last Earl Fitzwilliam died.
The Northern Farming Conference at Harrogate was a great success -
attracting a great range of speakers and MPs including Efra Chairman,
Anne McIntosh and Shadow Defra Secretary of State, Mary Creagh. I look
forward to seeing you at this year’s conference in November.
Once again, the Great Yorkshire Show, England’s largest and finest
agricultural show, will take place in the second week of July. Please take
full advantage of your membership and come and visit us at the CLA tent or
Booking form for AGM and estate tour
Member’s Name:
Name of Guest(s):
Address:
visit me personally as I man the President’s Box! Your support is welcome,
given the unprecedented and catastrophic cancellation of the second
and third days of the show in 2012 for the first time ever due to inclement
weather.
It would, of course, be very remiss of me not to encourage everyone to
support the CLA Game Fair at Ragley Hall from 19 to 21 July - especially
given the complete cancellation of last year’s event.
Regional team
The team, under Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn, has settled in well
at the new Aske office, where advisers have handled a wide range of
rural and landowning issues on your behalf over the last year. Our Policy
& Public Affairs Director Douglas Chalmers has met with dozens of MPs
and ministers including Owen Paterson, David Heath and Nick Boles to
argue the case for the rural economy. Our huge thanks go to all the team
members for working so hard and effectively on our behalf.
Having experienced the full gamut of unpleasant weather in the last
year, including the coldest March since 1962, I am sure you will agree
we deserve a glorious English summer, at the very least! To end with
meteorology, according to Jerome K Jerome: “The weather is like the
government, always in the wrong.” Need one say more
Charles Forbes Adam
Douglas Chalmers meets Defra Secretary of State
Owen Paterson
Email:
Price
AGM
Free
AGM, lunch and tour of estate £32.00
Membership No
Tel:
Just Ask – food provenance has a higher
profile after the horsemeat scandal
Number
Enclosed cheque for £
Payable to the CLA
Please return as soon as possible to reach us no later than Monday 20 May and send with cheque to: CLA North, Aske Stables, Aske, Richmond,
North Yorkshire, DL10 5HG.