Biennial black-tie dinner raises ‘much-needed’ £20k for heritage trust
A black-tie dinner has raised more than £20,000 to support the “excellent work” of the Sussex Heritage Trust.
More than 100 guests attended the event at the Elizabethan Parham House on Thursday (October 14), home of Lady Emma and James Barnard and their family.
Friends and supporters of the Sussex Heritage Trust in attendance included the president of the trust Lord Egremont and Lady Egremont, Lady Barnard and Mr Barnard, Lord and Lady Hampden, Col Sir Brian Barttelot and Lady Barttelot, Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Mrs Sara Stonor, former High Sheriff of West Sussex Mrs Denise Patterson and patrons of the trust Lady Renton of Mount Harry, Dr John Godfrey and former High Sheriff of East Sussex Violet Hancock.
Lady Emma Barnard said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome everyone to Parham to support the excellent work of the Sussex Heritage Trust.
“Parham was very dilapidated when my greatgrandparents Clive and Alicia Pearson acquired it in 1922, and without their care and restoration it might well not be standing today.
“I like to think that if the
Sussex Heritage Trust had existed then, they might have been worthy recipients of one of the awards.”
Chairman of the trust Simon Knight said: “We are hugely grateful to Lady Emma and Mr James Barnard for giving their kind permission to host our biennial fundraising dinner at their home. Parham House is a truly special place and still very much a family home. The dinner was held to raise much-needed funds for the work of the Sussex Heritage Trust.”
The evening included a reception in the long gallery – the third longest in a private house in England – supported by Wiston Estate and dinner supported by Stopham Vineyard and Martin and Company, in the great hall, the heart of the house. It also saw author, presenter and consultant Jeremy Musson, who specialises in historic country houses, give an after-dinner speech on his enthusiasm for heritage.
Sussex Heritage Trust was established in 1977 to preserve, improve and encourage the appreciation of the architectural and natural landscape of Sussex.
Parham House will reopen to the public in Easter.