The MMT Trustees have decided that the next project for the Trust should be the refurbishment of the Heathcote Mausoleum at Hursley in Hampshire

The Heathcote Mausoleum stands in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Hursley. It was constructed in 1771 and is built of brick. It is a square classical building with a lead roof. The roof has a low dome and a Gibbsian doorway with rusticated stone surround. The doorway gives entrance to a broad passage with 35 burial loculi on each side.

Taken into the care of the MMT in 1997, it was built for the Heathcote family of Hursley Park and 38 members of the family are interred there, some having been transferred from the vault of the church in 1771.

The architect is unknown but the building is grade II listed and is currently on the Winchester City Council list of Buildings at Risk.

The main work required is repair to the roof. Due to the effect of water over a number of years and to lack of maintenance the roof covering has reached the end of its life thus requires new lead covering. It is also possible that once the lead covering is removed that the timber structure supporting the roof may need replacement. Other minor repairs to the brickwork and drainage around the mausoleum will be required in order to stabilise the structure.

The MMT commissioned a survey of the building last year and as a result has moved to the next stage by appointing a local firm of architects to obtain estimates for the work.

The initial estimate of the cost of the repair is £50,000. Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council and The Manifold Trust have already agreed to support the project financially but we still need to raise around £30,000.

Please can you help by making a donation. Any donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received.

Please also fill in the gift-aid form, when making your donation, as this increases your donation by the basic rate of tax. Completing this section saves enormously on administration.

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Mausolea and Monuments Trust' and sent to:

Thank you