Fundraiser launched as hall’s spring events cancelled after double burglary blow
Popular springtime snowdrop and daffodil events in the grounds of a country house near Sleaford have had to be shelved after burglars struck twice.
Now, resident of the Grade II Rauceby Hall and gardens, Jonathan Hoare, has reluctantly turned to crowdfunding to keep the events going.
On the evening of December 8, thieves smashed their way into the storage garage and took a Kubota compact lawn tractor, an Ifor Williams trailer and all the power tools.
Jonathan said: “Since then, we have been unable to attend to this beautiful environment to the degree that we would wish. All we can do is weeding with a few hand tools we have left, as all the machinery and strimmers went in December.
"Then we had another attempted break-in on January 23 where they still made a lot of mess, smashing through the doors, expecting to find everything replaced."
He went on: “We have discovered that we were grossly under insured. We have had to let one of our treasured gardeners go. Someone who has worked on the garden and estate for over 30 years, due to the lack of equipment to carry out the tasks needed to keep the gardens in the condition that we strive for daily.
“It has crippled our resolve. It has taken much soul searching to find the appetite to continue with what we all hold truly dear to our hearts.”
Having never been in this position before, he said: “We have had to take the decision with regret to cancel the two early events of our calendar, Snowdrop Sunday and Daffodil Sunday in February and March, so we can concentrate on replacing the missing machinery and finding adequate security and secure storage.
“Hopefully we will be back on track for our Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday.
“We are fortunate that our insurance company has been incredibly fair with us, but it has left a huge shortfall on being able to replace everything that was taken from us."
To satisfy the insurers and beef up security he has opted to get a 20ft shipping container and lots of CCTV cameras at a cost of £5-6,000. Although the new replacement cost of the tools and tractor adds up to £18,500, the insurers would only pay out £14,500, based on original valuations. So he is left with a £10,000 shortfall in funds to bridge the gap so that they can still open the gates to public and supporters of this local gem.
A local tree surgeon and landscaper has offered to cut the grass and do some hedge trimming as a favour, but he said: "A few of my friends wanted to help and suggested I set up a GoFundMe page. I am overwhelmed that it has received £735 in donations in less than a week. It is heart-warming and humbling.”
Jonathan said: “For all those that can help, we will want to give a big thank you in the summer and we will start a group ‘The Friends of Rauceby Hall’, which will ensure privileges, such as special visiting rights and the option to plant a tree on the estate in your name that you can also visit at special friend events, as you will be forever in our hearts.”
You can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rauceby-hall-pleasure-gardens-needs-your-help