We are a small charity caring for a big and wonderful Mansion with a huge conservation bill.
To restore Woodchester Mansion to its condition when William Leigh died in 1873 we need at least £5m.
Like everyone else, we have found the period of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021 very difficult. We were just ready to open to the public for the summer season in 2020 when Covid struck with the lockdown in March. We are normally open from April to October, and about 90% of our income comes in those seven months. We lost all of our income from April to August 2020, when we were able to reopen with restricted visitor numbers. With a small income from visitors, very little from events, and some much appreciated support in grants from the Heritage Emergency Fund and the Culture Recovery Fund, we made it through to 2021.
From 1st April 2021 we have had no additional grant support. Like all historic houses, our public opening in 2021 was delayed well into May, despite similar organisations like libraries being able to open. We had hoped to be back to normal after 21st June, but then our full opening was delayed again, to 23rd July.
We were only open fully for three months out of a total of 14 possible months in 2020 and 2021. This had a severe impact on our finances.
Our visitor numbers have now recovered to the level in 2019 in both 2022 and 2023. The cost of living crisis is now impacting on our ability to recover the losses over the pandemic and then expand, which is disappointing.
So all donations, large and small, are very welcome to help us to keep our conservation plans for the Mansion on track.
We now have an online donation option with People’s Fundraising.
