Report content as inappropriate
Original Text (Annotation: eaw047683 / 975895)
'
Minstead Lodge Minstead, Hampshire SO43 7FT
Grade 2 listed building - English Heritage Building ID: 144410
Medium-sized country house. Mid C19.
At one time successive members of the Preston family lived in Minstead Lodge followed by the Duncan Family. Dr Duncan was a physician to Queen Victoria. One of his daughters married John Compton, Rector of Minstead Church.
1924- The Congleton branch of the Parnell family then bought the house in 1924.
The 7th Baron, Lord Congleton was a very active man with interests in both the matters of the Church and the Village. Tragically he was killed in a car accident in 1967. As he was unmarried, the house was sold for death duties.
1967 - Mrs Pamela Ward purchased it and lived there with her husband until 1976
1976- sold to the Selwood Charitable Trust, set up by Rev Tim Selwood in memory of his brother. It was run as a non-denominational Christian Community for residential retreats and conferences, and for people who were trying to begin their lives again.
The use of the building was extended in 1986 when Martin Lennearts established the Minstead Training Project (now Trust), which shared the building with the Christian Community. The Project expanded considerably and now uses all of the property as well as Furzey Gardens, its sister Trust and the place where it was founded.
The Minstead Training Trust offers training in work, life and social skills to adults with learning difficulties seeking to develop their independence and enjoyment of life. The training offers a wide range of choices, including horticulture, woodwork, literacy, numeracy, computer skills, arts & craft subjects and catering both for residential and day students. The Trust continues as a Christian foundation offering a caring environment to people whatever their belief.
Source: http://minstead.org.uk/home/about/history/
'