Wheler Foundation - Otterden Online

"Prior to his death on 15th May 2004, Granville Wheler made extensive provision for his Estates to pass into a Charitable Trust after his death. Granville, himself a bachelor, had two siblings, neither of whom produced children. As a result there is no relative to inherit his Estates. The Wheler Family have, for many years owned the Otterden Estate, as well as the Ledston Estate near Castleford, West Yorkshire.

"Both these Estates are due to pass on to the Wheler Foundation once Probate has been granted on Granville’s Estates. Mr. Wheler was also Trustee of the Lady Elizabeth Hastings’ Charity. Lady Elizabeth Hastings was, of course, a Wheler ancestor. When setting up the Wheler Foundation he had much of the LEHEC’s good work and objectives in mind.

"The Trust deed was set up carefully so that the Trustees in essence, whilst being a body of individuals, have the power to make decisions on their land and assets as an individual who owned the property and assets outright would have. This is governed and ‘policed’ by the Charity Commission. There are four specific objectives mentioned within the Wheler Foundation:

"Currently there are two Trustees of the Wheler Foundation, Mark Granger of Carter Jonas and Peter Fitzgerald of Wilson Solicitors in Salisbury. More will be appointed in due course. *

"In accordance with Granville’s wishes, it is intended that the four main objectives of the Wheler Foundation will be at least partially fulfilled on the Estates themselves. This is hoped to include, in due course, visits by school children and others to the Estates. It is intended that Ledston Hall will be refurbished and put to a use in which at least part will be accessible by the public.

"At this stage, it is not anticipated that there will be any major changes to either Estate, at least in the short term. Certainly the Trustees are obliged to take a commercial view in any transaction, be it a lease, a negotiation with a public utility company, or a disposal of acquisition. They do not have the luxury of a private individual in allowing such transactions to take place at under the market value. It is inevitable that some disposals of property in and around Ledston and Ledsham will take place in the future, although it is unlikely that any residential properties or land will be sold.

"Development opportunities, as and when they arise, may well lead to the ultimate disposal of land. The individuals who acted for Mr Wheler both as his Land Agents, Solicitors and other advisors will also remain unchanged.

"I perceive the inception of the Wheler Foundation as a very exciting time, both in respect of the Estates themselves but also more importantly for those that live and work on the Estates and those involved with them. There will be many beneficiaries both financially and educationally in the future. Mr Wheler’s forethought, when he set up the Wheler Foundation some years ago, was the need to provide education to those who are not lucky enough to live and work in the countryside. He showed a depth of knowledge of both countryside and his Estates, as well as other’s needs, proving what those that knew him were already aware of - that he was an extremely erudite and thoughtful man."

* For more information on the Wheler Foundation Charitable Trust, see: http://opencharities.org/charities/1011180