by Trevor Dale // Main Photo: Internal stripping back has uncovered original damaged fabric.
2026 already! Time flies when you’re having fun – I hope. For those of you interested in the project it must have been a frustrating year. It certainly has been for us! We started so well, with the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and then it seemed to stop. That was down to the lease negotiations which paused us for 5 months. Cranleigh Heritage Trust was stuck in the middle of what the landlord would give and what the Heritage Fund would accept. Eventually a solution was found that was acceptable to both sides though only after considerably greater legal costs.
Only now is it becoming clear how well we had done to gain such a grant. Many other projects did not get through. But the delay brought another set of challenges. Cost. Although we allowed significant sums for inflation and contingency, we still underestimated.
Consequently, we started to perform ‘Value Engineering’. Cutting costs and prioritising items in the project. But that would be short-sighted as we hadn’t included anything in the work specs that was insubstantial or frivolous, so, at the end of the day, we may be heading back like Oliver Twist with begging bowl to the Lottery team to ask for a little bit more. Do it once, do it right.
We are fortunate in having very experienced professionals, locally based, who were successful in the tendering process. Stiles & Co is our project manager for building works and Michael Wilson Restorations, a Cranleigh-based team are leading on the renovation works. With a motto of ‘from the unusual to the unexpected’ their reputation is unparalleled. A glance at their website shows many fine projects including Albury Park and Effingham Place amongst many others.
The Cottage seems quite modest in such company.
Looking forward, we are now focussing on getting clients in for the anticipated opening around the middle of 2026.
We have some therapy practitioners already keen and hope to gain more in the health and wellbeing arena. But hobby groups and even business clients will be very welcome.
The cottage will boast high quality a/v kit and a warm and convivial heritage and historic setting.
Research leads us to believe that there is a shortage of high quality venues in this market. Although it’s a fine line to walk trying hard not to upset other local services. We all live here and are desperate to achieve that.
In the meantime, please help grow our 1000 Club which also helps Cranleigh Arts Centre and the 1170 appeal for St Nicholas church. Also please remember participating in the National Lottery helps ours and a multitude of other worthwhile projects across the country.
FURTHER SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT
Cranleigh Heritage Trust has been joined, recently, by some volunteers, helping plan the future uses and develop our plan to benefit as much of the community as possible. We are actively seeking new members to join the team now that we have a live project. If you believe you have skills and time to use them that would be helpful to a heritage project, please contact us.
To get in touch email: team@cranleighheritage trust.org.uk
To register an expression of interest in future use of the facilities please write to us with the following information:
1. Brief description of what you offer and the benefits to clients and customers.
2. Say if and where you currently offer this service and why people would use the cottage to meet you.
3. Brief declaration of support for the project in general.
4. Return name and address and any website or social media links.
Thank you so much!
Trustees Trevor Dale – Chair; Howard Barratt; Jane Briggs; Chris Bulley; Sue Dale; Nigel West. Advisors Bob Callard – architect; Joanna James – business advisor, Michael Miller and Joy Horn, history advisors.
Visit our website: www.cranleighheritagetrust.org.uk
