A FUNDRAISING campaign hes been launched to conserve Hall’s Croft in Stratford after it was seriously damaged by a car accidentally reversing into it.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – the charity that cares for Shakespeare’s family homes – is seeking to raise £500,000 immediately as part of a Phase 2 conservation programme to safeguard the 400-year-old timber-framed house for future generations.
Hall’s Croft, the former home of William Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna Hall and her husband Dr John Hall, was struck by a vehicle on the morning of October 17 when a driver accidentally reversed into the side of the building. The impact shattered several oak beams and left a gaping hole in the roadside wall, exposing the building’s interior to the elements.
While no one was injured, the structural damage to this Grade I listed house is not inconsiderable.
Emergency scaffolding and supports were put in place within hours by the Trust’s conservation team to stabilise the site. Immediate repairs will be funded by the driver’s insurance, but the Trust now needs to move quickly into an unfunded £2.5million conservation programme.
Rachael North, SBT’s chief executive, said: “Incidents like this are a stark reminder of how vulnerable our heritage is, and how vital it is to invest in its protection. We’re asking for everyone’s support – whether you’re a local resident or simply someone who loves Stratford’s history – to help us save Hall’s Croft. Every donation will bring us one step closer to ensuring this wonderful place remains part of Stratford’s story for generations to come.”
The campaign, ‘A House for All Time’, will fund critical work not only to fix the recent damage but also to address underlying structural issues at Hall’s Croft. The Trust had already begun conservation on the property’s aging timber frame earlier this year but the accident has accelerated the need for a much larger second phase of work.
The immediate fundraising target is £500,000. The overall project is expected to cost around £2.5 million to complete Phase 2 of the full conservation of Hall’s Croft. Subsequent phases will cost a further £4million to £5million. The Trust cannot fund such an extensive project on its own and is turning to the public, supporters, and grant-makers for help.
It has also launched an ‘Adopt-a-beam’ initiative where donors may symbolically fund individual timbers in the ancient house. Donors at different levels will receive a sealed certificate of adoption for the timber. The highest tier of donation in the Adopt-a-Beam programme with receive an actual piece of salvaged Hall’s Croft timber.
Visit www.shakespeare.org.uk/support for more details and to donate.
