In writing for this Report, milestones spring unprompted to mind. I refer not only to the Millennium, significant though that is, but also to the successful completion of the Netherhall 2000 project, the thirtieth birthday of the Netherhall House Trust, and the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Netherhall House in 1952.

When we embarked years ago on an ambitious scheme to modernise, expand and complete both Netherhall House and Lakefield, it was seen as our very own Millennium Project and named with that in mind. Although, thanks to former residents and other supporters, building was completed in 1995, the Business Expansion Scheme which notably assisted the financing package and a step-by-step development of the Netherhall International College on the site have run on to the eve of the Millennium. Although we still have a substantial mortgage commitment and fundraising must continue, we are, I believe, entitled to rejoice now in successful achievement.

Thirty years ago, in 1970, the Netherhall House Trust was established to help Netherhall Educational Association in developing Netherhall House and Lakefield. Many of the original Trustees – Sir George Bolton, Mrs Jane Englehard, Mr Bernard Audley, the Earl of Lisburne, Lord Luke, Mr Hay Ingram Matthey, Mr George Taylor, and Sir Philip de Zulueta – had been promoting Netherhall since the early 1960s. Three decades on, with its purpose substantially attained, the current Trustees – Sir Bernard Audley, Sir Robert Clark and the Hon Sir Rocco Forte – have decided to dissolve the Trust with the consent of Netherhall Educational Association and of the Charity Commission. All, I am delighted to say, have agreed to retain their link with Netherhall House by joining its body of Hon Patrons. As Chairman of Netherhall Educational Association I should like to express heartfelt gratitude to Trustees past and present for all they have contributed to making the hall of residence and the catering school what they are at the turn of the Millennium.

Of Sir Bernard Audley, the longest-serving Trustee and Chairman, I must say a little more. After Oxford and war service with the King's Dragoon Guards, he had a distinguished career in publishing and business culminating in his founding of AGB Research plc in 1962. His varied interests have taken him to the presidency of the Periodical Publishers Association, the chairmanship of Arts Access, governorship of the Hong Kong Baptist University and a visiting professorship at Middlesex University. He was knighted in 1985. It was in the early 1960s that a deeply felt concern for London students, British and overseas – about which many have seen him speak in the film, Netherhall House a Home from Home – brought him to active support of the hall of residence. He and Lady Audley have been with us ever since, always on hand to advise and encourage. They welcomed the Queen Mother in 1966 and were with us still when the Duchess of Kent came to inaugurate the new buildings in 1995. We look forward to both of them gracing in their inimitable way our forthcoming half-century celebrations!

Celebrate we must, for so very many have benefited from – and enjoyed – life at Netherhall since 1952. We are now planning a variety of events to mark the fiftieth anniversary in the summer of 2002.

Between writing this report and signing the accounts, we hear of the sad news of the death of the Queen Mother. A truly wonderful lady, her words when she opened Phase I of Netherhall House in 1966, remain the best description of the values which underpin the residence and we will include the speech in full in the next Annual Review.  Her continued interest in Netherhall, with her letters at the Foundation Stone Ceremony in 1993 and the opening of Phase II by the Duchess of Kent in 1995, were much appreciated.  Only very recently, earlier in 2002, her lady-in-waiting conveyed the Queen Mother's best wishes for the 50th Anniversary of Netherhall.  Along with so many others who benefited from her generosity, we remain most grateful for Her Majesty's support over the past decades.

Finally, on another sad note, the death of Professor Sir Alan Harris has meant that we have lost the services of one of our Hon Patrons. His support for Netherhall House over the years has been considerable and we shall miss him very much.

Neil Pickering,
Chairman
14 June 2002