Objectives of the Trust
The Cusworth Hall Gardens Trust was set up to provide grants and donations for the benefit of the inhabitants of Cusworth for:
- The provision, maintenance and upkeep of facilities for recreation of other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the objects of improving their conditions of life; and
- The preservation, repair and maintenance of the land and buildings comprising the grade II listed bowling green and pavilion, terrace, rose garden and 18th century walls situated at Cusworth Hall for the benefit of the public.
The Bowling Pavilion at CusworthBuilt as a summer house in 1726 by William Wrightson of Cusworth Hall, this unique garden building was used as a bowling pavilion from c.1733 when the bwoling green was laid out. For more information please read the full Pavilion paper here.
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The founding trustee
Now living in Alexandria, Egypt, Gordon Smith was born at Cusworth in 1944. At the age of 19, Gordon Smith produced his first book about Cusworth Hall, a house with which he has life-long connections. He has researched and written over 50 illustrated articles about country houses, and has staged successful photographic exhibitions, in particular his contribution to European Architectural Heritage Year 1975. He has gained a reputation as an authority on the country houses of South Yorkshire.
A sometime member of the Victorian Society and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, he assisted Sir Nikolaus Pevsner in his revised edition of The Buildings of England - Yorkshire, the West-Riding. For 27 years he worked for the British Civil Service. During his time in Alexandria, Gordon Smith has been a regular contributor to the quarterly 'Newsletter' published by the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Centre, Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
A sometime member of the Victorian Society and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, he assisted Sir Nikolaus Pevsner in his revised edition of The Buildings of England - Yorkshire, the West-Riding. For 27 years he worked for the British Civil Service. During his time in Alexandria, Gordon Smith has been a regular contributor to the quarterly 'Newsletter' published by the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Centre, Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
A message from Doncaster Council
"Doncaster Council was delighted to hear of the proposal to establish a Trust for the preservation and development of the historic walled gardens at Cusworth Hall near Doncaster. By working with the Trust, the Council believes a fascinating and historic part of our heritage can once again come to life with historic plantings, walks, a bowling green and at the centre a restored 18th Century summer house. This will be of great benefit to the local community and visitors alike, and a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in their local heritage."
The Cusworth Hall Gardens Trust is a UK registered charity No. 1152888