Edmund gave a gentle narrative account of his unconventional childhood at the Chancery in Lincoln and then the Deanery at Canterbury. He recalled how these two large ecclesiastical homes provided he and his brothers with an extraordinary if chilly backdrop for their adventures and exploits. He also explained how the Church of England’s open door philosophy delivered an intriguing array of visitors to their home, from the grand to the dipossessed.

Sadly the Rectory Society’s patron, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, was unable to attend due to poor health but she sent her apologies and good wishes.

Castleacre have produced a new average High Net Worth Property Insurance Index to help identify key market trends. We have asked 7 insurers, to provide property insurance quotations for 3 different fictitious clients that would typically fall into the High Net Worth category.  We have collated the quotations we have received into an average rate to give a realistic indication of current market levels. The insurers who have particpated include:  AXA Art, Chartis, Chubb, Ecclesiastical, Hiscox, Oak and Synergy

Click Castleacre HNW Index to see full results (PDF format)

The Castleacre HNW index will be updated each year, using the same HNW client profiles.   

Simon, who is based in Milan, Italy, discusses the insurance issues surrounding let property in Italy ranging from loss of rental income to public liability cover.

Castleacre arrange insurance for clients who rent out their private properties to paying guests, both here in the UK and in Europe. The risks associated with this always require special consideration but cover can be easily included as part of your general home policy.  To find out more click here.

Dr Roger Draycott, Senior Scientist for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust commented ‘Simon has given a lot of thought and consideration to the year round
habitat requirements of the grey partridge and it was also clear that lots of other birds and wildlife are benefiting from this careful management.’

The GWCT  has set up a range of projects around the country, encouraging landowners to re-introduce the Grey partridge in preference to the now commonly seen French partridge. We will be supporting this year’s East Anglian award, which will take place on 14 September at the Benington Lordship in Hertfordshire, with the kind permission of Andrew and Simon Bott – last year’s winners of the East Anglian Castleacre Grey Partridge trophy.

To find out more about the Grey partridge conservation programme visit www.gwct.org.uk.

Croquet at Belchamp Hall

2011 Croquet Champions

While the sun was barely smiling on our joint croquet tournament with Rowley’s Fine Art Auctioneers in July it didn’t appear to dampen the enthusiasm of our 14 participating teams.

Roddy Lloyd kept his hand firmly on the tiller grappling admirably
with conflicting opinions on tactics and rules.

Guy Everington, Charlie Raymond and Roddy Lloyd

Under the ‘Continuous Insurance Enforcement Rule ‘, there is only one valid insurance exception for car owners, which is the production of a SORN notice (Statutory Off Road Notice).

The DVLA are working in conjunction with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and will shortly be writing an insurance advisory letter to all registered owners who appear to be uninsured. Penalties will range from a £100 fixed penalty fee, rising to £1000 for non-compliance.

To avoid a penalty for a vehicle you are not using you can log on to the DVLA website and update your ownership information.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_186696

As part of our sponsorship of this growing organisation we have worked with one of our insurers to evolve an insurance scheme which specifically meets the risks of owning a rectory and we have negotiated a significant discount for members of the Rectory Society. Handsome rectories are at the core of so many of our villages and are often the best architectural archetypes of their period, and really merit specialist protection.

Click here for advice or further information or advice about our Rectory Society Insurance Scheme.

To  find out how to join the Rectory Society visit www.rectorysociety.org.uk

Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit one of the 54 privately owned houses across Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex will understand the value of this unique British organisation.  While the architectural scope is extraordinary – ranging from an early 15^th century farmhouse to an impressive Queen Anne Estate – the truly irresistible element is the enthusiam and knowledge of the owners who conduct their own tours.

The stories behind these houses are told from very individual perspectives and imbued with colourful tales of earlier occupants. As if this were not enough to compel visitors, tours usually include a homemade tea or lunch.

The group is expanding and two new additions to the fold this year,include Ashby Hall, near Fleggburgh, Norfolk and Thorpe Hall Garden at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex.

To find out more about Invitation to View visit www.invitationtoview.co.uk

It has been a pleasure for us to support Sotheby’s annual exhibtion of pictures in Belfast and Dublin over the last few years but for the first time in March we extended our sponsorship to their exhibition in Lismore.   It was gratifying to meet so many people enthused by Irish Art, particularly in the current economic climate, and when the sale took place in March it made €2 million – the best result for any Irish Art sale worldwide for the last two years.

For futher information about Sotheby’s Irish Art Sales visit www.sothebys.com

If would like advice on insuring fine art click here.