Pledger & Legator Stories
Pledgers
*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the supporter
"I took my girlfriend Sally, who was living in Maidstone at the time, to Battle Abbey for our first date in 1991. I have very fond memories of this day out, and we are now happily married and haven’t looked back. We have derived much enjoyment from English Heritage, love visiting your properties and aim to visit every one. I was particularly impressed by Belsay Hall in the North East region, which was superb. In 1998, we made the decision to leave a legacy to English Heritage.” (Richard Davies, Warwickshire)
"We have chosen to leave a legacy to English Heritage due to the pleasure that we have experienced while visiting English Heritage sites on our travels throughout much of England. These sites are invariably very well maintained and presented and we wish to help ensure that they remain available for many others to enjoy in the future.” (Mr and Mrs Henderson*, Lincoln)
“When I first moved into Hampstead, some eleven years ago, I spent many hours walking different routes on Hampstead Heath, but always taking an habitual respite at Kenwood House. I was always impressed that there was no admission fee and it is due to my time in Hampstead, and my visits to Kenwood House, that I thought to create a legacy in my Will to the benefit of English Heritage.” (Mr Grimes, Wiltshire)
“My involvement with history dates back to my very early childhood, when my parents nurtured my interest with visits to the various abbeys, castles, churches and historic buildings of North and East Yorkshire. It has given me great satisfaction to learn of the number of my ex-pupils who have happy memories of the visits I took them on, some who have been inspired to become teachers in their turn and have continued the process of revealing to yet another generation the fascination and wonder of the history of this country. This is why I am still, and intend to remain, a dedicated supporter of English Heritage – as long as it continues its policy of welcoming and facilitating the magic of history to the youth of the future. (Miss Hailstone, Hull)”
“Our country has such a glorious legacy from the past – I wish the upcoming generations were given more encouragement to appreciate it.” (Mrs Trumper, Surrey)
"My wife and I have visited English Heritage properties for years, until the pace of visiting accelerated to the point of taking short breaks anywhere in Great Britain to concentrate on an area’s heritage. We have thoroughly enjoyed the sheer variety of venues visited and pay credit to the widespread preservations, the variety of properties maintained, the generous times of opening, friendliness of staff, value for cash, and value of travel to interesting sites – the list goes on” (Mr Frances*, Derbyshire)
“I believe we should be proud of our heritage, and therefore have a duty to preserve it.” (Miss Jones*, Somerset)
“The reason we have mentioned English Heritage in our Wills is that we would like to think that future generations will get as much pleasure in visiting your properties as we have.” (Mrs Ryan*, Middlesex)
“We have always enjoyed visiting English Heritage sites as a family and in later years, which have left us with many happy memories, and we feel this heritage is worth preserving. Unless we do something to save it, it will be lost forever. It is for this reason we shall remember English Heritage in our Will.” (Mr Sewell, Bedford)
“Our English Heritage is also our history and that is something unique and of great value to ourselves and others. Because I am confident that English Heritage will safeguard the assets in its care, bring about improvements and make them available to future generations I am more than happy to leave a legacy to English Heritage.” (Lt Col Johnston, London)
Legators (as entered into the Book of Remembrance)
"Betty’s love of the English countryside, nature and our cultural heritage together with her concern for its survival led her to think of English Heritage in her Will." (Betty Chambers, Bedfordshire)
"Mrs Lang was born in England and moved to Canada over foty years ago. She returned to England on many occasions and was proud of her English Heritage."
"Miss Preston had a great love of tradition and felt that her views were well represented by the word done by English Heritage."
"As a member of English Heritage, Mr Manning was very interested in local history."
"Mrs Jane Dorman* had a great interest in gardening and was a traditional lady who loved traditional English landscape, an essential part of which would be historic buildings. She was sorry when old buildings disappeared, and made her bequest because she wanted the beauty and quality she loved preserved." (Jane Dorman, Devon)
"Mollie Charrington had an abiding love of England, its architecture, archaeology, and the countryside. She wanted to help preserve them for future generations." (Mollie Charrington, West Sussex)
"Doctor Hill was keen that our heritage and natural environment should be preserved so far as possible for future generations, and would be glad to feel that her gift had helped." (Doctor Hill, Cheltenham)
"Olive May Hopkins very simply loved England and all of its cultural diversity and beauty – this is what mattered most of all in her life." (Olive Hopkins, West Sussex)
"Mrs Shavreen left a legacy to English Heritage because of her belief that an appreciation of the past is the foundation for future generations." (Beatrix Shavreen, Middlesex)
"Miss Ullrich demonstrated a very strong sense of history and nature conservation throughout her lifetime, and left a legacy to English Heritage as a furtherance of this interest." (Miss Ullrich, West Sussex)
"Mrs Wright and her late husband Ernie Joseph Wright were great supporters of English Heritage. They were both great lovers of the outdoors and this, combined with their interest in ancient buildings, monuments and archaeology in general visits to English Heritage sites, was a natural choice for them." (Margaret Wright, Nottinghamshire)
