DRONFIELD HERITAGE TRUST
A CHARTER
DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING STRONG
ORGANISATIONS
IN
HERITAGE, ARTS, CRAFTS AND NATURAL
HISTORY
Dating back to the 15th Century, Dronfield Hall Barn on High Street
is being sympathetically developed into a unique destination
offering heritage, natural history, arts and social activities to the
local community and visitors.
BACKGROUND
The Freehold of this Grade II* historic building, once an important manor house and
probably the town’s oldest surviving domestic property together with ½ acre of surrounding
land accessed from High Street is owned by a registered charity The Dronfield Heritage
Trust.
Sainsbury Supermarkets gifted the building to the trust in 2004 for use by the community
and committed volunteers have ensured development plans, finance and contractors are in
place to open the refurbished and extended building to the community in November 2015.
OUR PARTNER ORGANISATIONS/MEMBERS ARE:
Voluntary special interest groups involved in heritage, the arts and natural history who wish
in some cases to maintain their individual identities yet work together under the ‘umbrella’
of The Dronfield Heritage Trust and take advantage of the professional event management
and administration services subsidised by The Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding
bodies.
THE PROJECT
A team of over 70 committed volunteers are actively involved in creating a hub for activities
and an information centre for heritage, natural history and the arts with online access to
local archives through the web and in the building. Generous support from The Heritage
Lottery Fund and other local and national donors is enabling the conservation and extension
works to proceed and contractors Wm Birch of York are on-site. Space and facilities will be
provided for:
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A Heritage Centre with timeline and displays of local historical interest
Modern education and seminar room
Exhibitions and functions gallery with magnificent exposed 15th century timber frame
roof
Refreshment area and visitor cloakrooms
Outside courtyard with seating and overlooking the re-created historic gardens
Knot, herb, sensory and historic vegetable garden areas on a ¾ acre landscaped site
surrounded by historical walling and veteran trees
Pedestrian access from High Street and direct from Sainsbury/public car park
A hub for engaging and enjoyable activities for all age groups and abilities including
local research, talks, exhibitions, performances and festivals.
THE ORGANISATION AND SERVICES
The Dronfield Heritage Trust, registered charity number 1120875 owns, maintains and
services the building and provides support to special interest organisations (affiliated
organisations) and individual volunteers including:
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A professional in Activities Management employed full-time by the trust to coordinate the programme of events and activities
An administration assistant employed to provide membership records, subscription
collections, secretarial services for meetings, booking and payment of speakers and
venues including The Barn, The Peel Centre and Town Council buildings
Experienced volunteers on hand to help with recruitment of new members, ideas
for activities and events, advertising and publicity
An Affiliates/Members Forum, chaired by our Activities Manager and comprising
representatives from each affiliated organisation meets monthly to encourage and
approve activities, maintain a master diary of events and to ensure co-operation
between the special interest groups
Equipment available will include computers, scanners, printers and other specialised
items as determined by the groups in action
ACTIVITY PROGRAMME
Activities will include:
 Information gathering from archives and the environment in the town and beyond
 Research programmes based on the archival materials and other sources which will
enable new insights into the origins, development, natural history and culture of the
town and district
 Learning programmes for all age groups and abilities
 Field expeditions, visits to sites and attendance at conferences
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Publishing of results through printed and web publications, social media, talks and
exhibitions
Visual and performing arts projects and exhibitions inside the building, in the
grounds and at venues across the town
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS - COMMITMENTS AND FINANCES
Partner organisations agree to:
 Maintain a network between members with a shared special interest in one of the
following categories:
o Heritage and History
o Visual Arts
o Natural History
o Performing Arts
o Crafts
o The Barn
 Enable members of their group to enjoy the events and activities of other groups
through sharing of voluntary work and finances
 Nominate/encourage members to attend and present ideas for activities and events
to the Affiliates Forum
 Pool their assets and income into the Partner Organisations account which is under
the administration of The Dronfield Heritage Trust. Joining organizations may wish to
nominate incoming assets to special projects as agreed by the trustees
 Set a membership subscription rate which is agreed by the affiliates forum and
treated as a charitable donation to the trusts Partner Organisation’s account. This
subscription level will be reviewed annually through the affiliates forum
 Put proposals for activities to the forum in an agreed format and take part in
maintaining a master diary of activities and events across all groups
 Work together with other groups to deliver and steward activities