http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345453/Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-accused-Countess-Carnarvon-painfully-rude-bid-buy-real-life-Downton-Abbey.htmlCountess accuses
Andrew Lloyd Webber
of 'painfully rude' bid to buy
their real-life Downton Abbey
By Mail On Sunday Reporter
Last updated at 12:33 AM on 9th January 2011
Andrew Lloyd Webber angered the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon after
he made an unsolicited offer to buy their property Highclere Castle, which
was used for ITV show Downtown Abbey
Oscar-winning composer Lloyd Webber
made it known that he wanted to buy
the 300-room pile so he could house his
priceless paintings there
George Herbert, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, and his wife Fiona were angered
by the offer. The countess described the composer's approach as 'painfully rude'The aristocratic owners of
Highclere Castle, the stately home used as the setting for
Downton Abbey, were outraged by
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘painfully rude’ attempts to ‘buy’ them out of their home.
The fury felt by the
Earl and Countess of Carnarvon is laid bare in previously private letters and emails obtained by this newspaper under freedom of information laws.
The Oscar-winning composer of
Evita, Phantom Of The Opera and
Cats made it known last July that he wanted to buy the 300-room pile near Newbury, Berkshire, so he could house his priceless paintings there.
His unsolicited offer angered
George Herbert, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, and his wife
Fiona.
The couple revealed their displeasure in an email to consultants who were advising them on a future planning application.
On July 19, 2010, the Countess wrote: ‘In terms of feedback, it was hugely heartening to hear comments from people in the street . . .
‘The consensus did appear to be a sense of surprise and outrage that a rich man would think it acceptable to come along, get his cheque book out and take over a piece of history [to house his paintings].
‘Although the story seems outrageous enough almost to be amusing, it was also painfully rude that he should feel able to dismiss our dedication and determination to sustain the house for future generations, offering to buy us out.’
Lloyd Webber, who lives on the nearby Sydmonton estate, declared an interest in buying the house when the Earl and Countess revealed they were interested in applying for a special kind of planning permission, known as a development enabler.
This would effectively overturn an existing ban on developing land close to Highclere Castle.
The couple claimed that development was the only way they could generate funds to pay for repairs to the castle.
Lloyd Webber then wrote to the local authority saying he would like to buy the castle.
The Carnarvons have been paid an unspecified sum by
ITV for the castle’s use in Downton Abbey. The show’s ratings success has also brought a boost in visitor numbers.
But contrary to reports, the money from Downton Abbey will not pay for the repairs.
The Countess of Carnarvon last night confirmed she and her husband had written the email.
A spokesman for Lloyd Webber declined to comment.
