[Hardy-l] Good news from the Dorset Daily Echo

[Rosemarie Morgan]

Hurrah!

And Congratulations to all who gave of their precious time and energy to 
participate in the National Trust Survey.

This is a triumphant outcome!

Bravo National Trust!

  Cheers
Rosemarie Morgan
President, The Thomas Hardy Association

At 09:36 PM 4/18/2007, you wrote:
>Holiday let scheme for Hardy's home shelved
>By <mailto:gill.jenkins at dorsetecho.co.uk>Gill Jenkins
><http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1335532.0.holiday_let_scheme_for_hardys_home_shelved.php#comments_form>
>d6013b8.gif
><http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1335532.0.holiday_let_scheme_for_hardys_home_shelved.php#comments_form>Comment
>d6013d7.jpg
>
>NOT FOR LETTING: Helen Mann at Hardy's Cottage
>
>PLANS to offer Hardy's cottage as a holiday let have been dropped - for 
>the time being at least.
>
>Using the historic cottage as a back to basics holiday home during the 
>winter was put forward by the National Trust in a package of proposals for 
>its future in a consultation - How Hardy do you think you are?
>
>But the charity announced today that it was dropping the proposal after 
>more than a third of those who responded to the consultation objected.
>
>Helen Mann, the National Trust's property manager for Hardy's Cottage said 
>the consultation threw up a number of areas of particular concern to 
>respondents.
>
>She said there was broad concern expressed that the building could be 
>damaged by allowing people to stay, either through general wear and tear 
>or accidental fire.
>
>Many respondents were also anxious that the quiet and uncluttered 
>character of the cottage should be preserved.
>advertisement
><http://adsadmin.newsquest.co.uk/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1335532.0.holiday_let_scheme_for_hardys_home_shelved.php/1615236584/Frame2/default/empty.gif/34363765653864623435353534636530>
>d6013d7.gif
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>
>There was also a strong view that the cottage was an important monument to 
>Thomas Hardy and should be respected as such. "The most contentious issue 
>was our proposal to offer the cottage as a basic holiday let in the 
>winter. The National Trust has considerable experience of sensitively 
>converting protected buildings and managing them as holiday cottages.
>
>"However, we want to ensure that we reflect the breadth of views of those 
>taking part in the consultation in our decision-making process. We have, 
>therefore, decided not to move forward with the holiday let proposal at 
>this juncture. In the long term, however, we do want to leave open the 
>possibility of considering whether to offer winter accommodation for 
>specialist retreats at the cottage "The consultation has shown that 
>different people relate to Hardy's cottage in different ways. We want 
>people to absorb the atmosphere of the place quietly or get more involved 
>according to their inclination."
>
>Ms Mann said that the consultation brought up fresh ideas for managing the 
>cottage in the future.
>
>"We know how passionate people are about Hardy's cottage. We want to 
>preserve its special magic but at the same time improve the quality of the 
>visit. Our aim is to extend Hardy's appeal to new audiences as well as 
>continuing to cater for those who already have Hardy in their heads."
>
>Building on ideas from the consultation exercise and when time and funds 
>allow, the National Trust plans to:
>
>Improve the interpretation at the cottage by focussing more on Hardy the 
>man and less on general 19th century rural living.
>
>Maintain the current sparse presentation of the cottage.Consider extending 
>the current visitor season.
>
>Enhance the programme of events throughout the year.
>
>Mike Nixon, secretary of the Hardy Society, said, "We fully support the 
>National Trust's approach and look forward to working with the trust to 
>improve the visitor experience at Hardy's Cottage. Ideas generated by the 
>public are exciting and will help increase interest in Hardy.
>
>"We particularly welcome the possibility of extending the current visitor 
>season and opening seven days a week during the school holidays."
>
>The trust will now set up a working group with the Hardy Society, the 
>Dorset County Museum, and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to 
>bring its vision for Hardy's Cottage alive.
>
>7:57am Wednesday 18th April 2007
>
>...and cheers to Mike Nixon and many others!
>
>Michael Stoddard
>
>
>
>
>
>
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