In 1951 the Ministry of Education were pressing for a scheme to repair the Old School Buildings prepared by the Derbyshire County Council. This work was eventually completed on the 7th April 1959 at a cost of £23,700 ( £18,700paid by the Derbyshire County Council and £5,000 by the Old Trust).
On the 2nd June 1959 the Old Trust held their bi-monthly meeting at the Old Grammar School. Prior to this meeting the Old Trust were entertained to tea by the Headmaster & his wife Mr & Mrs Kimmins and were conducted over the School premises in order to see for themselves the many improvements which had been carried out.
In March, 1992, it was reported by the School governing Body to the Old Trust that there was a possibility that the Old School House would revert back to the Old Trust and with this in mind it was agreed that the School Governors should be approached so as to enable the members of the Old Trust to go over the School house during the Easter recess to have some idea of the state of repair and what property they might be likely to assume full responsibility for in the future.
In September, 1992, the Old Trust received notice of a planning application which was being made by the Derbyshire County Council to change the use of the Boarding School into a teaching unit for the 6th form.
In January, 1993, at the joint meeting between the Old Trust and the School Governing Body it was stated that the Boarding School had now closed due to the financial situation whereby the Boarding School had to be self-supporting which was now not practical due to the numbers involved.
In June, 1993, Old Trust members visited the Old Grammar School which had now been converted to provide 6th form tuition. However, later in 1993, the 6th form tuition was stopped due to concerns about the state of the building.
In March, 1994, there were two lines of thought with regard to the repairs. It was felt that if in fact the Old School was to resume use as a 6th form school then the cost would be much higher than if it was used purely as a building without a specific use and not involving a large number of children using the oremises.
In July, 1994, it was reported that the teaching staff did not like teaching at the Old Grammar School as the difficulties that arose from teaching on three different sites made it inappropriate. It was also pointed out that it was very hot at the Old Grammar School, and generally it was not a good venue and unsuitable for modern day use.
In September, 1996, the Old Trust were advised that Derbyshire County Council were prepared to pay a sum of £158,445 to cover the dilapidations. It was possible that this money would be forthcoming at about Christmas of this year or by March 1997.
In June, 1997, the Clerk of the Old Trust stated that as far as the dilapidation money to be received from Derbyshire County Council, it was likely that the Old Trust would not necessarily have to use the money for repairs. It was the duty of the Old Trust to utilise the Old Grammar School for the benefit of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School. There was no doubt that there were various people and bodies in Ashbourne who felt that the Old Grammar School was in effect the ‘property’ of the town. At some stage it would be important to advise the people of Ashbourne as to the true situation.
On the 30th September, 1997, it was unanimously resolved by members of the Old Trust that the Old School should be sold by Auction, and that a press statement should be placed to that effect in the Ashbourne News Telegraph.
Press Statement
The Old Grammar School, Church Street, Ashbourne
At long last the Ashbourne Old Trust is able to make a statement about the Old Grammar School Building in Church Street. It would have been unwise to make any comment until the protracted negotiations with the Derbyshire County Council had been completed and the building returned to the control of the Old Trust. The Old Trust was created in 1585, by Royal Charter to establish a Grammar School in Ashbourne, which until the Nineteenth Century was their sole responsibility as they owned and ran the School. Under the provision of the Education Act 1902, the Derbyshire County Council took over the School and occupied it rent free, but the Old Trust remained the owners of the School property and retained ( as they still do) certain rights of appointment to the School’s Governing Body. As everyone knows the County Council, on the recommendation of the School Governors decided to vacate the Old Grammar School Building and declare it surplus to educational requirements.
Contrary to what has been suggested by some the Old Grammar School is not and never has been a public building and members of the public have never had any rights of user.
The original purpose of the Royal Charter has ceased, so as far as this building is concerned at the request of the County council and the School’s Governing Body. It is the duty of the Old Trust as any other set of Charity Trustees to ensure that the income is directed to the sole objects of the Trust – the Governors of the Grammar School for continuing educational purposes and needs of the School. Whilst other “educational” needs exist, they are not matters which the Old Trust are allowed to address.
The Old Trust has decided in the best interests of all to place the Property on the market, and for all those with a genuine interest to have an opportunity to bid for the Property in public.
The net proceeds will together with any balance from the monies paid by the County Council after payment of insurance and on-going repairs and liabilities until completion, be invested for the sole benefit of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School. There is no doubt, that this sum, whatever it may eventually be, will be of great benefit to the School and the educational facilities it will be able to offer. In that at least the original purpose of the Trust can be achieved in perpetuity.
It is recognised that the decision to sell may not be welcomed by some parties, but the Old Trust, whatever the personal views of its Members, must adhere to the stipulation of the Charity Law as laid down by the Charity Commission and the advice given by their specialist London Solicitors.
Likewise, it is hoped that Local Authorities, organisations, the press and the public, and all those genuinely interested in the future of the Building, will accept that the Trust was established for the purpose of conducting a Grammar School and it is not empowered by the Charter or Statute to be in the business of owning or running historic buildings.
Issued by the Old trust following its Meeting on the 30th September, 1997, by David Spencer Esq – chairman.
The Sale of the Old Grammar School
A BRIEF HISTORY
Founded with the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 1, by Royal Charter granted by letters Patent on the 15th July1585. Much of the stonework was completed by 1589, however there was some delay in the construction of the roof owing to a shortage of carts. The building was completed, a rear spiral staircase having been added, and opened in 1603. The building is ambitious in both scale and style. It is of three storeys with the central school section flanked at each end by residences for two masters. In 1607, paved cobbles were laid in front of the building having been taken from the River Dove at Hanging Bridge.
In 1732, Dr Samuel Johnson applied for the position of Under Master but was rejected. Some 45 years later he visited the school with his biographer Boswell. The internal panelling was installed in the mid 19th Century, fashioned from high backed pews from the parish Church. Sometime later surplus oak doors were installed, again, having been removed from the Church.
In 1905, it was resolved to demolish the present building which proposal was approved by the then County Council the building was saved thanks to the intervention of the Derbyshire Archeological Society. The Old Grammar School was visited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1985 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the grant of the Royal charter.
The building had been leased to the Derbyshire County Council, used for the most part as a boarding house, subsequently converted to 6th Form use and was vacated in 1992.
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation is arranged on three floors, with principal Reception Rooms on the ground floor with further Reception Rooms and Bedrooms on the first and second floors.
There are Kitchen facilities on two floors and Bathroom and/or wc facilities on each level.
The principle room is the former Dining Hall (14.5m x 7m) or (47ft. 7ins x 23 ft.) with panelled walls, exposed stonework and stone mullioned windows with leaded lights to both front and rear.
The former Dining Hall
The property provides some 11,300 square feet of gross internal floor space. Immediately to the rear is a hard surfaced playground area and steps lead to the garden grounds, partially tiered and sloping upwards towards Belle Vue Road from which there is access to a single garage and pedestrian access to the grounds.
LISTING
The building is Listed Grade 1 and the partly cobbled and raised pavement and steps to the front are Listed Grade 11.
THE FUTURE
The building is of major significance to the charming market town of Ashbourne and, it is suggested, lends itself to sympathetic renovation, refurbishment and adaption to a use commensurate with its style, prominence, location and historic significance. There is a most useful exchange of letters between the Old Trust and the Head of Planning Services of the Derbyshire Dales District Council, copies of which will be made available to interested parties.
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Derbyshire Dales District Council, Town Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 3NN DX27259 Matlock.
Telephone:01629 580580. Fax: 01629 760322
County Council: Derbyshire County Council, Smedley Street, Matlock, Derbyshire. Telephone 01629 580000
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
In addition to the exchange of letters referred to above, copies of sketch plans and an indication as to a budget estimate for repairs as at May, 1996, together with the specific listing reference may be made available if required.
SERVICES
Mains electricity, gas, water and foul drainage are believed to be connected. Enquiries should be made of the relevant supply companies. A gas fired boiler provides some heating and hot water.
The Auctioneers have not tested any apparatus, equipment, fittings or services and cannot verify that these are in working order. Interested parties are advised to obtain verification from their surveyors. Other than those fixtures and fittings specifically referred to in these sales particulars no other fixtures and fittings ar included in the sale.
TENURE
It is believed that the property is Freehold, but this remains to be confirmed. Please check the current position with this office.
The property was sold on Thursday 18th December 1997 for £101,000
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In addition there was an amount paid for unwanted furniture removed from the Old Grammar School of £3,072.
The change from Land and Buildings to Financial Investments
In 1997, the Old School having been endowed by the Founders in 1585 to the ‘Incorporated Governors and Assistants of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Ashburne’, was no longer required for the purpose for which it was intended.
However, these endowments which were specifically made for educational purposes continued, no longer in property, but in investments for the good of the New Grammar School on the Green Road, Ashbourne.
The amount of monies invested from dilapidations and the sale of the Old School (after expenses) totalled £253,000, the income from which is given to the Grammar School every year by the ‘Incorporated Governors and Assistants of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Ashburne’ (the Old Trust) for the use of the School.
(nb. The original cost of the Old Grammar School was £400, which was the equivalent of £145,181 in 2016).