As a small addition:
"...should not be taxed out of existence out of envy."
Boiling the motives for taxation down to envy is disgustingly derisory. Being so dismissive societal struggles is a cheat-code to killing off any sympathy.
Indeed, that's why I called it, "the underlying sentiment" and why I would like to see the figures before I make a decision about whether I support his assertion.
I think reality is likely to show that, assuming the place is well run, the taxes are absolutely affordable.
I didn't suggest it was an issue. I am merely pointing out the fact that it's a business asking for special treatment for when he bequeaths that business to his heirs. Because... reasons. The core of it is that this family is somehow entitled to keep its position of privilege for another 1000 years.
I would really just like his assertions about it being closed down by the taxes to be quantified.... Like, will it be closed down, or will you just have to put the prices up, maybe run a more economical car, and have a few less holidays per year?
I find it hilarious that those with wealth are happy for the peasants to pay tax, yet when they have to pay tax the moan, groan, cry et al. Pay tax like everyone else and also remind them how they voted for Brexit! Brexit was tax avoidance for the rich nothing else, it has not delivered any benefits
The place was renovated with grants of public funds and kept afloat with public money during Covid. It’s a thriving business thanks to public money. Yet Jason Lindsay is so angry.
I'm curious to know why it's at risk. I'm not signing in on the Telegraph site to find out - but by Jesus, I've just had a look at the site as I was looking for the article and it is full of rich people whining about Labour murdering their first-born.
It is open... Not sure that family can really claim poverty when they have a business opening the castle to tourists, hosting weddings and other events, etc.
Ok. So who should maintain the building that needs very extensive repair works undertaking to it. Or are we are the Cultural Revolution stage of demolishing buildings if they don’t make widgets?
It's about IHT. No child 'deserves' to inherit a castle. Arrangements can be made for them prior if that is what is so precious. Otherwise another custodian will be found.
So you know you can’t just give stuff to either the Trust/EH? Please tell me you’re not throwing that out there without knowing properties now need to come with a sizeable endowment to keep them maintained for a generation. Thanks for the thought but I’m more than gainfully employed in that regard.
Actually the NT have taken on very very few new properties in the last 20 years. Keeping these things in private hands but open to the public has been recognised by Historic England as the best viable option for the past 40+ years.
Ninian Brodie, the clan chief who sold Brodie Castle to the National Trust for Scotland, loved giving tours around his old home, we were told, but would only reveal his identity at the end. He used to cover up his name badge and stand under his own portrait to see if anyone noticed the resemblance.
This is almost as funny as when one of their collumnists wrote a piece on how stamp duty could impact them because their father bought them two flats in London.
Count your blessings pal, MY 12th century castle is threatened by a relentless assault from light cavalry, archers of the king guard, bill-men and pavisers.
Ooh a new word. I've never heard of a paviser.
pavisor
noun
pav·i·sor
variants or paviser
ˈpavəsə(r)
plural-s
: a page, varlet, or soldier assigned to carry a pavis in front of a knight or archer
The more I learn, the more I feel the IHT exemptions should be removed altogether and exceptions made for land that is committed to small scale national agriculture. Protect the farmers, but this poor fellow should gift his castle to the nation if he cant afford it.
They do this deliberately, knowing it will provoke mockery & outrage, focus shifts to the absurd & hopefully we forget all about the genuine victims of this policy.
In other news: scientists discover smallest object in existence - a violin that plays sympathy for peoples whose castles are in peril from progressive policies.
The next tweet/bleep/whatever on my feed quotes the Big Issue: “Hunger is a violation of our basic human rights – we should be outraged by UK's food bank crisis”.
Yes. I'm pretty sure that Jason Lindsay is not short of a few quid - he certainly seems to have (sensibly) turned Hedingham Castle into a pretty good earner, but if he hasn't made provisions for his succession he only has himself to blame.
Comments
I largely agree with the underlying sentiment that we shouldn't lose heritage sites that offer a lot back to the community.
Where I feel this falls short it that there are no actual figures presented to prove it's the inevitable outcome.
"...should not be taxed out of existence out of envy."
Boiling the motives for taxation down to envy is disgustingly derisory. Being so dismissive societal struggles is a cheat-code to killing off any sympathy.
I think reality is likely to show that, assuming the place is well run, the taxes are absolutely affordable.
They own it and are running it as a business, it provides jobs and keeps the place maintained.
My question is, what are the profits/compensation that would be impacted by taxes that would result in forcing the place to close?
I would really just like his assertions about it being closed down by the taxes to be quantified.... Like, will it be closed down, or will you just have to put the prices up, maybe run a more economical car, and have a few less holidays per year?
Show me the money...
His ownership of it is at risk.
And that’s the real story here isn’t it.
Land ownership is basically a scam.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/12th-century-castle-might-not-survive-labour-government/
Who knows, you may even get a job curating it yourself.
I'm sure if this guy follows the advice of many on this thread, such as cancelling his Netflix or giving up Starbucks, he'll find the dosh ok.
Netflix?
pavisor
noun
pav·i·sor
variants or paviser
ˈpavəsə(r)
plural-s
: a page, varlet, or soldier assigned to carry a pavis in front of a knight or archer
But he would expect you to be grateful.
However:
If you want to keep it, work for it.
If you want to keep it pay the same proportional tax as those born with less.
If you want to keep it don’t bleat, innovate.
I feel I ought to start a fund raiser for the poor hard done to fella and donate my state pension
This is right up there with parents of kids in Eton struggling with the £65,000 school fees