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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£75.6K
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Spending
£49.1K
Public benefits
All of the Purposes are for the public benefit. In particular, the Follies Trust exists to try to secure the preservation and protection of unusual and interesting historic landmark structures often described as follies, which were usually erected to enhance the beauty of landscapes, gardens, townscapes, graveyards and parkland. The Trust also
works actively to promote interest in and appreciation of these structures which tend to become neglected because they may have no specific use other than being decorative. These Purposes therefore provide benefit to all members of the public through enhanced public understanding and enjoyment of follies in their historic environments, thereby potentially promoting a sense of pleasure and wellbeing. The Follies Trust understands that, to fulfil these Purposes, it is essential to have public access to such structures and therefore one of the main criteria in selecting projects is the provision of public access. Very often follies are readily accessible but sometimes they are on private agricultural land. For example, a hilltop landmark such as a commemorative tower or obelisk may not necessarily always be directly accessible in the sense that farm animals are grazing nearby, but is accessible in the sense that it is possible for members of the public to view and appreciate it in its wider historic landscape context. However, usually we find it is possible to negotiate with the landowner to provide direct access by arrangement. The educational Purpose of the Follies Trust is fulfilled by the provision where appropriate of information boards, leaflets and books, providing for the public a greater understanding and appreciation of the architectural features, historic context and background to such structures. A further Purpose is to provide benefit to the public by promoting the traditional skills and craftsmanship required to conserve the structures. Examples of this include the use of lime mortar, stonemasonry, stone carving and joinery. Potential harm No harm arises from any of the Trust’s Purposes Private benefit to unintended beneficiaries In most of the Trust’s projects there are no private benefits. Where the structure to be conserved is in private ownership the only potential but inescapable benefit is the improvement in the physical state of the structure. However, since follies generally do not have any direct alternative use other than being decorative, the owner does not derive any financial benefit. A private owner cannot for example charge for public access and the conservation of a folly does not add anything to its capital value. In our experience, very often the owner actually contributes financially towards the cost of the conservation work commissioned by the Follies Trust. However, the Follies Trust does not charge a fee to the owner, so there is no issue of excluding the poor. No benefit derives for trustees or supporters of the Follies Trust since the Trust has no paid employees and no office. Trustees are not recompensed in any way for time, travel or expertise provided free of charge for the benefit of the Trust. The only Trust overheads are the essentials such as insurance and auditing of accounts.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The Trust identifies structures of particular importance or historical significance, often ones which are on the NIEA Buildings at Risk register and the equivalent organisations in the Republic of Ireland. It establishes what conservation work is required and brings together funding sources to enable this to happen. The Trust has 10 trustees and
several other supporters with appropriate skills, knowledge and experience,who give their time without pay or any other compensation, to advise on best practice conservation processes and on fund raising. Since establishment 18 years ago, the Trust has conserved 34 historic structures, published 8 educational books, run a course on the best practice in use of lime for historic buildings, provided visits to follies located all round the island of Ireland and arranged educational lectures every year since the foundation of the Trust. The Trust is currently working on several further projects and the publication of a ninth book.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Who the charity helps
- General public
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
How the charity works
- Community development
- Education/training
- Environment/sustainable development/conservation
- Grant making
- Heritage/historical
