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Is the Landmark Trust a charity or a holiday company?
The Landmark Trust is a charity that rescues and restores historic buildings and lets them out for holidays. Any income we receive from holiday lettings goes back into the charity to maintain the buildings.
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Where does my money go?
The income from holiday lettings goes towards the ongoing maintenance of the buildings as well as the running of Lundy. Funds raised from donations and appeals go to the ongoing conservation of the island. Some fundraising appeals raise unrestricted funds which will go where the need is greatest.
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What are the criteria for taking on a building?
The buildings we take on must be of architectural or cultural significance, be at some kind of risk, and be in a place and a setting where people will enjoy staying.
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How does Landmark acquire its buildings?
In its early days, Landmark was often able to acquire its buildings by purchase. Today this is very rare, and acquisition by purchase happens only in cases of exceptional merit coinciding with available funds through a statutory grant or a monetary bequest. Today, we are more likely to take a building on through gift, bequest or a long lease. Under these scenarios, we will raise the money required for restoration through charitable appeal and then take full responsibility for onward maintenance, funded through the letting income. Just occasionally, we will let an exceptional building on behalf of its owners (who then retain responsibility for all restoration and maintenance costs). We are always happy to assess whether a building is suitable to become a Landmark. If you would like more information, please contact our Historian, Caroline Stanford cstanford@landmarktrust.org.uk.
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Does Landmark buy buildings?
In Landmark’s early days, we were backed by our Founder’s private trust fund, so we do own the freehold of many of the buildings in our care. However, we no longer have such funding, nor an endowment or dedicated funds to be able to buy buildings. We do not buy buildings that will sell on the open market and therefore survive without our help. Very occasionally, usually tied to a specific building of the highest merit in great peril, grant aid may be forthcoming and we would then be able to buy the building in question. But this is the exception. We are always happy to assess whether a building is suitable to become a Landmark. If you would like more information, please contact our Historian, Caroline Stanford cstanford@landmarktrust.org.uk
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Does Landmark let buildings on behalf of others?
Landmark is not a letting agency and we do not generally let buildings already restored and furnished by others without any input from ourselves.
We are always happy to assess whether a building is suitable to become a Landmark. If you would like more information, please contact our Historian, Caroline Stanford cstanford@landmarktrust.org.uk
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Do you have a membership scheme?
We do not have a membership scheme per se, but do have a Friends of Lundy scheme. The Friends are enthusiasts who wish to be close to the work of the Islanders and who enjoy visiting Lundy each year and hearing about island life. For more information, visit our Support Us section.
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Can I volunteer ?
There are a number of ways you can volunteer with Lundy. Some people help out on the mainland or on board the Oldenburg, others work on specific projects on the island for a week or longer. There are also opportunities to join a larger voluntary working party. Please see our Get Involved section for further details.
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Does Landmark own any other property?
Yes, Landmark owns a portfolio of property that is not featured in the Handbook, including land, ancillary buildings and commercial property including shops.
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When did Landmark take over the running of Lundy?
Lundy was put up for sale in 1969 and following a national appeal led by Local MP’s Jeremy Thorpe, Peter Mills and David Owen, Lundy was bought for the National Trust through the generosity of Sir Jack Hayward. The Landmark Trust immediately took a 60 year lease of the island and undertook to restore the islands buildings and infrastructure.