Friends of Buckden Towers (FOBT) About FOBT Page

FRIENDS OF BUCKDEN TOWERS (FOBT)
A registered charity that assists in the preservation of the historic buildings collectively known as Buckden Towers, Bugden Towers, Buckden Palace or Bugden Palace in the County of Cambridgeshire, UK

Registered Charity Number: 273480

First Registered: 5 May 1977

Introduction
Restoring and maintaining ancient buildings and putting them to good and suitable use in the new millennium is worthwhile, enormously stimulating and never ending! Some years see dramatic progress but mostly it is the less spectacular preparation of the ground, securing grants and loans and repaying debts which ensure success. A Council of Management composed of up to 12 members, some of whom are also Trustees, run the Charity.

Charitable Status
The Friends of Buckden Towers, a Charitable Trust and a Registered Charity, exists to help in the preservation of The Towers. It concentrates it efforts on supporting the Owners in carrying out work on the older buildings like the Tower itself, the Inner and Outer Gatehouses, the walls and the grounds. In addition, the Friends are committed to raising the profile of The Towers as an interesting place to visit. The Trust's Deeds may be viewed by clicking here. The Charity's profile may be viewed by clicking here (please note this site opens in a new window and lies outside the Trust's policy on the use cookies).

Finance
The Trust derives its income from its annual Membership Fees, Donations and from the income derived from its Social Functions, Annual Specialist Plant Sale and Heritage Day. Its expenditure, apart from routine expenditure on running the Trust and its activities, is wholly confined to providing grants to the owners of the Towers Complex. The annual report and accounts for the last financial year may be viewed by clicking here (please note this opens in a new window).

Grants
Some of the grants made to the Owners or on behalf of the Owners over the last few years are as follows:

Membership
FOBT currently has about 90 members scattered throughout the United Kingdom, Spain and Australia. These members share an interest in the upkeep of The Towers and of increasing its value as a site of historic interest. They receive three Newsletters a year, free of charge, informing them of the events that are being run by the Friends. The Friends are always ready to welcome new members whether their interests lie in restoration, landscaping, social activities, fund raising or simply the quiet appreciation of a unique inheritance. If you would like to become a Friend of Buckden Towers or to learn more about the Friends' activities, details of how to contact us may be found by clicking here. You may download a membership application form and a gift aid declaration form by clicking on those form names (the forms will appear in a new window or tab). The Gift Aid Declaration Form allows us to reclaim back the tax you have paid on subscriptions and donations (but not tickets for events or raffles) so long as you pay an equivalent amount in income or corporation tax. Membership subscription rates are currently (for Members in the UK or Overseas):

	Annual
Individual Member	£ 6.00 per annum
Family Member	£10.00 per annum

The Mike Kiely Memorial Trophy
A trophy was presented to The Friends by a Member to commemorate the memory of Michael Kiely RIP, founder member of the Trust and a Council Member and Trustee. The trophy called the Michael Kiely Memorial Trophy is awarded annually at the AGM to the member(s) of the Trust who has/have, in the Council of Management’s opinion, made some significant contribution to some aspect of the Trust’s work or events connected in some way with the Trust. The closing date for entries for 2012-13 is 1 March 2013.

WINNERS OF THE TROPHY IN PAST YEARS
2011-12	Mrs Denise Bentley	Extraordinary resilience in opening the Gatehouse Shop most weekends during the year.
2010-11	Mr Ieuan & Mrs Sheila Evans	For loyal support over many years and assistance in preparing material for historic displays.
2009-10	Mr Jack & Mrs Joy Simpson	Sterling service in providing refreshments at social and other functions
2008-09	Mrs Anne Petty	Vice Chair and organiser of refreshments for all social events
2007-08	Mr Peter & Mrs Ita Flach	Sterling service in upkeep of the Knot Garden
2006-07	Mr Ben & Mrs Anne Nicol	Chief Tour Guide & wrought iron painter/Plant Sale Organiser for 8 years, Knot Garden upkeep, Chair of Council of Management

Financial Year	Amount	In Respect of	Annual Total
2012-13	£5,000.00	Repair of Walls in Church Street	£9,000.00
2012-13	£2,400.00	General Grant (committed)
2012-13	£1,600.00	Repair of Pergola in Knot Garden
2011-12	£1,600.00	Use of Outer Gatehouse	£2,400.00
2011-12	£ 800.00	General Grant
2010-11	£1,200.00	Use of Outer Gatehouse	£6,012.80
2010-11	£2,526.25	Repairs to Outer Gatehouse
2010-11	£2,286.55	Repair of Crenellated Wall
2009-10	£ 425.50	Railings for Steps to Great Tower	£ 425.50
2007-08	£9,000.00	Grant - 3rd Part Funding Lottery Heritage Fund Bid	£9,000.00
2006-07	£9,000.00	Grant - 3rd Part Funding Lottery Heritage Fund Bid	£9,000.00
2005-06	£4,500.00	Grant towards Consultancy for LHF Bid	£4,500.00
2004-05	£2,750.00	Grant to WREN releasing £25,000 Grant to Owners	£9,250.00
2004-05	£3,000.00	Grant for Restoration of Inner Gatehouse
2004-05	£3,500.00	Grant for Curtain Wall Restoration
	£49,588.30	TOTALS	£49,588.30