Hello Woodcot supporters. Here we are, entering the second year of the campaign to Stop Woodcot from being sold and lost to Salcombe  forever.

2026 is the date that Age Uk have given for selling Woodcot,  so it’s more important than ever that we redouble our efforts to make sure that Woodcot is  protected as the generous donor,  Miss Jennings wanted when she donated her family home to charity back in 1969.

Here’s a quick recap of what’s been going  on over the Christmas period…..

A revealing  phone call between Age Uk and Salcombe Town Council..

A disappointing wrong call by our district councillors…

An appeal by the South  Hams Society for a reconsideration…

And still no word from Age Uk’s royal  Patron, His Majesty King Charles !

Back on December 10th 2025, Salcombe’s Mayor, Cllr Jasper Evans took a call from Alasdair Stewart, Age Uk’s Director of National Services:-The following was discussed and later minuted at the December  Full Meeting of Salcombe Town Council. Here is the gist of that conversation:-

Woodcot had a condition survey and valuation in November. Alasdair Stewart declined to provide the valuation, only that it is "several millions".  The valuation will not be disclosed in Age UK's annual report or otherwise. However, if sold, the sale price will be publicly known upon registration at the Land Registry.

Woodcot's value turns on three factors: (1) highest value if the restrictive covenants are released by consent or by the Land Tribunal, (2) lower value if the restrictive covenants remain in place and sold with vacant possession, and (3) lowest value if the restrictive covenants remain in place and tenants are in situ.

Cllr Evans said time Stewart that he understood Age UK considers that removal of the restrictive covenants is not a viable option. Alasdair Stewart said this was not a statement he recognised.

Cllr Evans understood Age UK is exploring the possibility of enabling tenancies to continue. Alasdair Stewarts  response - "we've heard loud and clear the concern from the wider community about Woodcot's tenants. The tenants are at the forefront of our thinking. We are exploring what we can achieve. No notice to tenants has been given and nothing will happen until next year."
Cllr Evans  pointed out that 2026 is just around the corner.

Alasdair Stewart  said he had watched the film from the event about Woodcot at the church.

A local charity the South Hams Society submitted an application on 3/11/25 to the local authority, South Hams District Council to list Woodcot as an Asset of Community Value. Unbelievably on 21st December 2025 the council, despite much lobbying beforehand, decided to reject the SHS’s application. The SHS is appealing against the decision. 

It’s hard to express the level of outrage that after all the hard work on behalf of the campaign, the main obstacle to date should come from our elected representatives. Where is the representation for the nearly 4000 people who have expressed very clearly their wishes where Woodcot is concerned?

If you do nothing else today - please do express your views on being ignored by your  local SHDC councillors. 

Back to the people who do understand the importance of an asset like Woodcot and the importance of upholding the law around covenants - that is -to all of you to whom this update is addressed. 

Thanks to you, the petition is well on its way to reaching 4,000 signatures. We’ve raised nearly £1700 pounds to help towards campaign  - thankyou to everyone for donating -  and we  are working very hard to stop Woodcot being sold.

Please keep sharing the petition and get your hard hats on as the campaign enters year  two.