Excellent news. We have just heard that Knebworth House has this year, for the second time, won the Sandford Award for Heritage Education (we also won in 2001). Big congratulations to our Education Officer, Juliet Alexander, and our team of wonderful guides and educators. A fine feather in the cap of the “Education” side of the Knebworth House Education and Preservation Trust (KHEPT).
Of course, since its creation in 1984, the primary focus of KHEPT has by necessity been its “Preservation” side. Over 22 years, from its initial endowment of £1.5 million, the charity (whose Trustees include the Chairman of Knebworth Parish Council, the Chairman of North Herts District Council and the Mayor of Stevenage) has, against the odds, been able to raise and spend £5.5 million, primarily on the restoration and upkeep of Knebworth House and its historic curtilage. Within this amount it has been possible to complete about 40% of what the architects define as the “critical restoration” of the main building. A fine achievement – but still some way to go!
KHEPT owns Knebworth House on long lease – but did you know it also owns the Lytton Arms pub and is the majority shareholder of the Old Knebworth Amenity Company, which manages Old Knebworth Village Green? Of the village’s few but highly valued charities, the workings of KHEPT are perhaps less familiar within the Parish than they should be. I have just produced a new information leaflet about KHEPT that I would be delighted to send to anyone who would like to know more – alternatively read more about KHEPT on our website, www.knebworthhouse.com
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com