Meet Jonathan Ruffer
With the Auckland Castle Trust now established, and the transfer of the Castle to the new trust expected by the end of June, the owners of Auckland Castle are now all systems go for moving Auckland Castle into the next phase of its 800 year history.
Working jointly with the Church Commissioners, the Auckland Castle Trust will be opening the Castle to the public on 21st April. Attendees at the Food Festival will be able to see the plans for the Castle, which is being developed as a major heritage and tourist attraction, with a permanent exhibition being planned on the History of British Christianity. This will build on the strong relationship with the Bishops of Durham, and tell the story of the religious, political and cultural significance of religion in these Isles.
At the Food Festival you will be able to meet some of those involved in the development of the Castle, and hear a message from HRH the Prince of Wales with good wishes for the future success of the Castle. Attendees will also be encouraged to share ideas for the future use of the Castle and its grounds on camera with our specially commissioned film crew, as well as writing on our Scribble Wall and signing up as a ‘friend’ of the Castle to hear more about our plans over the next few months. We are also looking for volunteers who might like to get involved with the running of the Castle over the Summer 2012 – and in future years.
Those wanting to know more can venture inside the Castle itself and see the striking Zurbaran paintings, hear a commentary specially prepared by the famous historian Prof Diarmaid MacCulluch, have a guided tour of the Bishop’s State Rooms, and hear a talk from Jonathan Ruffer himself, the philanthropist whose intervention has saved the Castle and the Zurbaran paintings for the benefit of the people of the North–East.
The Food Festival marks the start of the fundraising efforts for the Castle, which needs to generate between £15 and £20million from public and private sources over the next 3 years for a major refurbishment, as well as having an immediate need for over quarter of a million pounds per year simply to ‘pay the bills’.
Rowena Hackwood, Chief Executive of the Auckland Castle Trust, commented: ‘we have been overwhelmed by the good wishes of local people for Auckland Castle, and we hope that, together, we will be able to create a place of beauty and tranquillity as well as family fun at this historic site’.