The objectives of
the Trust, as defined by this Act, are to:
-
promote
in every part of the world the appreciation and study of the plays and other
works of William Shakespeare and the general advancement of Shakespearian
knowledge;
-
to maintain and preserve the Shakespeare
properties for the benefit of the nation;
-
to
provide and maintain for the benefit of the nation a museum and a library of
books, manuscripts, records of historic interest, pictures, photographs and
objects of antiquity with particular but not exclusive reference to William
Shakespeare, his life, works and times.
On the Trust website’s Governance page, it states:
“In 2009 we used these objectives to develop our vision statement:
Leading the world’s enjoyment and understanding of Shakespeare’s works, life
and times.”
On 17 November 2012, the full board of Trustees will discuss the Shottery development. They own the land that the developers need. So to sell or not to sell? That is the big question.
Following the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government’s (Eric Pickles) October 2012 decision to overturn a unanimous vote
from Stratford District Council to block the building of 800 homes on land
adjacent to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery, after an appeal by the
developers, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust released the following statement
to the media and posted it on their website:
“We are extremely disappointed to
learn that the Secretary of State has granted the appeal. The Trust has been an
objector to the proposed development, on the grounds of the potential
irreversible harm it poses to the setting of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the
registered park and garden which surrounds it. Our position is unchanged. As
the charity charged by Act of Parliament to preserve the Shakespeare houses for
the benefit of the nation, our overarching responsibility is to protect this
unique part of our national heritage. We will consider the content of the
Secretary of State’s decision carefully before making any further comment.”
That's the public line, but little birds are saying in private that they will release the land.
How the Trust thinks that leading the world’s enjoyment and
understanding of Shakespeare’s works, life
and times is promoted by driving a ring road and 800 homes through it is
beyond belief.
We would like the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to abide by
its public position and transform it into action that shows they mean what they
say. Namely, to refuse to take the developers’ dirty money. And make this new
position public.
It is a moot point whether Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
needs the money from the sale of the land. As of 2011, the Trust was worth £21
million, with a licence to mint money from every tourist visit to Stratford
upon Avon in perpetuity. However, we are not going to argue with them about
their ‘need’.
If it is all about the money, money, money...there are other
ways to provide the wherewithal to safeguard the land for future generations.
Millions of Shakespeare lovers around the world would be prepared to stump up
money to conserve Shakespeare’s heritage.
But, beyond this, we would like to remind the Trustees of
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust of their duties under the 1961 Act – particularly
to maintain and preserve the Shakespeare properties for the benefit of the
nation.
What a great opportunity for the Shakespeare Birthplace
Trust this is! It hasn’t had a promotional opportunity like this for decades. A
chance to be the hero of the piece, instead of the villain.
This opportunity is in its hands. But it won’t take that
unless people act right now.
We’re not going to let decision makers hide behind a
corporate body, are we? Sign the petition.
The Trustees are as follows:
Executive Committee:
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman),
formerly Chief Executive of Shakespeare Globe
Bennet Carr, Headmaster of King Edward VI School, Stratford upon Avon
Margaret Cund, National Trust Midlands Advisory Board
Prof. Michael Dobson, Director, Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman), Chief Exec of Brian Hyde Ltd, (retail
construction and DIY industry)
Helen Keays, Management Consultant
Ralph Bernard CBE (ex-broadcasting industry)
John Russell
Representative:
Kristian Jensen,
Head of British Collections, British Library
Catherine Mallyon, Executive Director, Royal Shakespeare Company
Neil Constable, Chief Executive, Shakespeare's Globe
Cllr Rev Neville Beamer, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council
Stephen Jolly, Director of External Affairs and Communications, University of
Cambridge
Prof. Tiffany Stern, Professor of Early Modern Drama, University of Oxford
Prof. Carol Chillington Rutter, Director, The Capital Centre, University of
Warwick
Cllr Ron Cockings, Warwickshire County Council.
Ex-officio:
The Rt Rev
Christopher Cocksworth, The Bishop of Coventry,
Sir William Dugdale, The High Steward of Stratford-upon-Avon
Martin Dunne, The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire
The Rvd Martin Gorick, The Vicar of Holy Trinity Church
Cllr Keith Lloyd, The Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Life Trustees:
Sir Eric Anderson
KT
Sir Geoffrey Cass
Prof. Ann Jennalie Cook
Dame Margaret Drabble
Prof. Kate McLuskie
Peter Nicholls
Dr Roger Pringle
Neville Tarratt
Prof. Stanley Wells
Michael Wood
Local:
AP
Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
VAP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
AP Bird OBE
Dr Paula Byrne*
Richard Hyde (Deputy Chairman)*
Helen Keays*
Peter Kyle OBE (Chairman) *
VAPAA AP
Bird OBE, MD, The Bird Group (property).
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