Letter: English Heritage to the rescue

Sir: I am most grateful to Anna Pavord for highlighting the plight of Downe Hall, Bridport (23 March).

In the past few days a knight in shining armour has been sighted on the horizon in the unlikely guise of English Heritage, previously part of the nothing-doing/do-nothing brigade.

English Heritage, until last week deaf to all our appeals, has now reversed its policy towards Downe Hall and is starting to work out how to preserve the house and its gardens. It gives fresh hope to us all when a national institution has the nerve and flexibility to change policy at a late stage.

Let us hope that at the local level West Dorset District Council can show a similar responsiveness and that perhaps some Heritage Lottery money could help preserve intact for future generations this elegant house and gardens.

Caroline Sandwich

(the Countess of Sandwich)

Chairman

Dorset Gardens Trust

Beaminster,

Dorset