Thankyou folks. Thankyou for the 3,489 signatures to date. The petition still grows weekly and will no doubt surpass 3,500 by Christmas…. 

The Go Fund Me page has raised £881 towards campaign costs- but there is still some way to go to cover these in full so if you can, do make another contribution or share the link to anyone who might like to support the cause.

The campaign  held a community event on Friday 21st November at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe called Memories of Woodcot.

A film compiled  by Roger Barratt of Salcombe Maritime Museum was shown in the church. It depicted Woodcot over the last century… wonderful images from the 1920’s and 30’s showing the whole town enjoying tea dances on the lawn, and prize giving at the horticultural shows- all hosted by the same generous family to whom Salcombe owe so much. This campaign is a tribute to their generosity. 

Over 50 members of the community showed up for the event and 21 people were filmed sharing their memories of Woodcot and Miss Jennings. A compilation of these clips has been put together into a short film which has been sent to Age UK, Charity Commission, Buckingham Palace and Caroline Voaden MP as well as other media outlets. More films are planned….

The aim of the film is to remind these large institutions that at the heart of this story is a town, a community, a generous gift which is still protected by a covenant, and a charity wishing to take over Woodcot and operate it as Miss Jennings stipulated- we feel that breaking a covenant unnecessarily is unethical and immoral and we hope to persuade the Age UK Trustees to work with the regional charity to return Woodcot to the heart of the vibrant community that is Salcombe.

None of this would have been possible without the generous support and care of everyone who has signed this petition and donated to the campaign costs.

So far the campaign costs have been fairly minimal… many local businesses have helped for nothing, they have stepped up and helped out by putting posters in shop windows, ( that might not seem much, but in a small town like Salcombe where interests are often conflicted and where traders rely on the support of all the residents even those who want to buy Woodcot,  it is a brave thing to do.) others donated goods for the event. 

Thankyou Salcombe Bake House.

Thankyou Paul and Matt Coleman, butchers. 

Thankyou Holy Trinity Church Salcombe.

Thankyou Salcombe Maritime Museum. 

Thankyou everyone who attended the event and who helped out on the day.

Without your help and support the campaign could not have made it this far.

This is where your money has been spent….

Legal counsel: £1000+VAT

Publicity Video: £200

Editor: £300

Printing of posters £100.

The mathematicians among you will have worked out that costs exceed the £881 raised so far- however we are hopeful especially at this time of year that help will come where it is needed. 

We couldn’t have got this far without your help….  Please keep signing and keep sharing. 

Thankyou