Viscount forced to quit historic family home

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 25

Viscount forced to quit historic family home

By

MICHAEL WISE

of Reuter through NZPA Derby Standing in the lofty marble entry to one of Britain’s foremost stately homes, the thirtieth Lord of Kedleston boasted that his family, the Curzons, had lived on the property for nearly 900 years.

“We have in fact seen Halley's Comet come and go 12 times,” he said, before adding that inheritance taxes had forced him to give up ownership of Kedleston Hall and its 240 ha park. In spite of the family’s ancient motto “Let Curzon hold what Curzon Held,” the masterpiece of the neo-classical architect, Robert Adam, is being handed over to the National Trust, a charity which preserves historic buildings, gardens, and beauty spots.

“This is one more example of the effect of penal taxation,” said the lord who got a £2.5 million ($7.1 million) tax bill along with the title of Viscount Scarsdale after the death of his cousin in 1977. Lord Scarsdale and his family will now become tenants of a wing of the house.

What he refers to as the “saga of Kedleston” is a tale as old as this century in which scores of British

aristocrats have lost their ancestral estates because of financial difficulties, partly caused by heavy taxes.

Just over a year ago, Kedleston and its contents looked likely to be sold off to pay capital transfer tax, a prospect that outraged many conservationists and critics of the death duties, which range as high as 60 per cent of an estate’s value. The Government, which charged Lord Scarsdale £4OO ($1144) a day interest on the tax bill, refused his offer of the house in lieu of tax but eventually provided a grant so that the property could pass into the trust’s control. The trust and Lord Scarsdale, whose predecessors include Marquess Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1898 to 1905 and Britain’s Foreign Minister after World War I, still seek to raise £2 million ($5.7 million) for repairs and maintenance. Kedleston has been open to the public on a limited basis for 20 years to help the family defray maintenance costs. Speaking recently to reporters, the National Trust’s chairman, Dame Jennifer Jenkins, said it could draw far more, visitors and help create employment. “We are not here only to preserve the past,” she said. “We are here to

ensure the prosperity of this area, Derbyshire, for the future.” The trust, which already maintains 200 properties — many former aristocratic estates — has become increasingly choosy about what houses it is prepared to take on.

In the case of Kedleston, house and property are of such historic and aesthetic value that it did not hesitate.

“It is one of the greatest expressions of eighteenth century English taste,” said a trust architectural adviser, Gervase Jackson-Stops. “Grant me ye Gods a pleasant seat, in Attic elegance made neat,” began a poem written by Nathaniel Curzon, who built Kedleston, the third residence on the site. It was completed in 1765.

The coffered dome of a central chamber was inspired by the Parthenon. Curzon’s picture collection, round which the rooms were designed, features illustrations of scenes from antiquity. Mementoes of the marquess’s years in India are displayed in the basement. Among them are poisoned arrows, ivories, and oriental works of art.

The trust says it may try to raise funds in India to help conserve the house, although it concedes tliat the obvious

irony of a viceroy’s descendants asking Indians for money is likely to mean efforts are concentrated in Britain and the United States. “It won’t be a case of our going to Bombay and soliciting people in desperate circumstances to give us a few rupees,” a trust official said. “But if there are people who have funds and are interested, it’s a possibility.”

The acclaimed “Treasure Houses of Britain” exhibition at Washington’s National Gallery this , spring included works on loan from Kedleston. Mr Jackson-Stops, its organiser, said the number of Americans touring the house had risen as a result.

How long' Lord and Lady Scarsdale, their five children, and descendants will be allowed to remain in part of the house remains subject to negotiation between the trust and the family. Lord Scarsdale hopes they will be able to stay another 100 years. “For the rest of my life I shall feel it is my house but I have arranged for the National Trust to maintain it for me,” he said.

“I do feel a little sad that we shall no longer actually own the place, but then you can’t haye everything.”