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The Victorian Society continues to perform its educational and casework functions with success.  The pools, schools and seaside resorts campaigns have gained good publicity, leading to widespread recognition that these are matters of real public concern. Among the recent successes are the Royal Hall, Harrogate (scheduled to re-open on Sunday, 27 April 2008), Conan Doyle’s Undershaw (recently repaired), Kentish Town Baths (which Camden Council will now refurbish) and Easington Colliery School (where the proposal for demolition has just been rejected after a public inquiry).  In addition, Cadw has indicated that it may offer the Society £5,000pa for a caseworker to be based in Wales, if we can match that grant.

However, the cost to the Society of undertaking these cases is very great, both in terms of staff resources and direct costs - for instance, Ian Dungavell, our Director, spent five days attending the Easington inquiry.  With increasing property values, the pressures for redevelopment can only get greater, quite apart from the government’s blanket building programmes which are throwing the future of so many Victorian schools and houses in doubt.  Our ability to maintain the current effort is seriously at risk, when ideally we need to step up our efforts to counter the growing threat to so many fine Victorian buildings.

For some years now the Society’s recurring expenditure has exceeded its recurring income - by some £31,000 in 2005 and £18,000 in 2006.  These figures are not obvious from the Society’s annual accounts because of the impact of legacies, especially the Hodgkin bequest, and the costs/funding of the repairs at Priory Gardens.  The deficit for 2007 is expected to be about £20,000.

To date the Society has been able to finance these deficits out of reserves, but obviously this is no longer sustainable.  We have therefore to address the need to keep income and expenditure more nearly in balance.  There are a number of ways in which this can be done, for instance by increasing the membership subscription or cutting down on staff costs, but these have serious disadvantages.  In the longer term, we aim to increase membership numbers, seek higher grants, apply for donations from trusts and wealthy individuals, encourage legacies, and raise other income.  But the Society’s work requires that, while pursuing such long-term plans, we take action now.

Rather than make a separate appeal for each need, we are asking all members to consider making a donation to our Annual Fund in addition to their annual subscription. This will allow members to contribute according to their wishes. Major projects will continue to be undertaken where legacy income is available, but it is essential that our normal casework and campaigning is not jeopardised.  Please help to ensure that the Society continues its work by contributing.

Yours sincerely




Stephen Johnston
Fundraising Trustee