Ashmeadow Woodlands - The Barnes Trust

Two years before his death, in 1990, John Barnes, past Headmaster of Earnseat School and owner of its associated properties, proposed the setting up of a Charitable Trust to manage a potential bequest of the majority of the school’s estates in Arnside. He set about finding members of the community, who would join his Executors, as trustees to administer and manage the properties. John Barnes took great care in selecting his potential trustees so as to ensure that his own environmental interests, as well as the interests of the community, would be fostered following his demise and accordingly a Trust was set up comprising 3 executors and 7 village residents.

This very generous bequest did not include any actual money, though provision had been made for the sale of assets if necessary. The principal asset, Ashmeadow House, a listed building, sadly fell into disrepair during the 1990’s due to various factors presenting a singular challenge to the Trust.

Then early in 2002 the Executors, still owners of the estate, were approached by the Arnside (Abbeyfield) Society about possible purchase of Ashmeadow House and its garden to create a new Abbeyfield. The sale of Ashmeadow House to Abbeyfield in late 2003 had a twofold outcome – the new owners of the house were able to substantially refurbish and revitalise the building and the Trust were able to benefit from half of any interest which accrued on the capital from the sale. In addition to property, the bequest involved the estate surrounding Ashmeadow House and in 1998 the Executors gave licence for the Trust to manage the woodlands, orchards, walled garden and cottage in the area to the south of the house which has proved successful due to the availability of several grants. The Trust have been able to improve access, particularly for disabled visitors, provide seats and continue with a programme of wildflower planting in the walled garden. The allotments at one end of the Walled Garden are all rented out. There is a waiting list and anyone interested in going on that should apply to the Secretary.

The Trust will also continue to manage these areas and in due course will benefit from a capital sum when the full terms of the John Barnes bequest are realised.

The Trust has recently leased Crossfield Wood from the Woodland Trust. This small patch of woodland is directly across the Slipway from Ashmeadow and will be managed by the Trust in the same way as the main woodland.

The Trust's Chairman is Professor Terry Keefe. The Trust now has 1 Executor and 9 village representatives who will work together to maintain and enhance, where possible, this valuable village amenity and continue to ensure that the aim of John Barnes’ objectives is never forgotten.