The National Trust Launches Campaign to Save Morris Car Inventor's Home

SWINDON, England, May 4, 2011 - The National Trust has launched a campaign to raise GBP600,000 to save
the "time capsule" home of the man who made motoring affordable for the
British masses.

The Morris Motor Company was started in 1910 when bicycle manufacturer
William Morris, later Lord Nuffield, turned his attention to cars.

Three years later the two-seat Morris Oxford 'Bullnose' was introduced,
helping change the lives of thousands of ordinary people with the dawn of
mass-produced vehicles.

As his fortune grew, Lord Nuffield became increasingly aware of the
contribution he could make in a pre-welfare state.

As Britain's greatest ever philanthropist, he gave away over GBP30
million (the equivalent of GBP11 billion in today's money) to support
education, hospitals and medical research which continue to benefit millions
of people around the world.

Nuffield Place (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-support/w-donations/w-appeals_
and_campaigns/w-donate-nuffield-place.htm) in Oxfordshire was his home from
1933 until his death in 1963.

He left the house to Nuffield College in Oxford, which he founded. The
College has carefully preserved the house and until recently it has been
opened to the public by volunteers (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-volunteering.htm) from the
Friends of Nuffield Place on a limited basis.

Nuffield College has now offered it to the National Trust. However, in
order to open this unique house to the public, and secure its future, the
Trust urgently needs to raise GBP600,000.

Richard Henderson, National Trust general manager, said: "Despite Lord
Nuffield's extraordinary philanthropy and achievements, he remains relatively
unknown. His home is a wonderful time capsule without any of the 'show' of a
multi-millionaire and reveals so much about the man who changed many people's
lives for the better.

"We are determined to open the house as soon as possible and to celebrate
Lord Nuffield's remarkable story. But we need to raise the funds to get the
necessary visitor facilities in place and we hope our supporters will help us
to meet our target."

Despite considerable personal wealth, Lord Nuffield lived a modest life
and the house and its contents reflect the simple, unassuming home that he
shared with his wife.

Many of Lord and Lady Nuffield's possessions are still where they left
them, offering an intimate glimpse into their world. Robes worn to official
functions, personal letters and books, and framed cartoons and photographs
can be seen throughout the house.

Much of the original decoration and most of the furnishings also remain
making it a perfect example of a complete 1930s country home.

Lord Nuffield's love of mechanical things can be seen behind cupboard
doors in his bedroom which hid a miniature workshop with his collection of
hand tools. It was here that he would relieve nights of insomnia by doing
delicate metal work.

Kevin Minns, chairman of the Friends of Nuffield Place and great great
nephew of Lord Nuffield said: "This wonderfully generous offer from Nuffield
College has given the National Trust the opportunity to preserve the legacy
of William Morris, Lord Nuffield and save Nuffield Place once and for all."

About the National Trust:

The National Trust is a charity with a statutory duty to preserve places
across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 'of historic interest and natural
beauty for the benefit of the nation'.

As Europe's largest conservation charity it protects over 350 historic
houses, 160 gardens, 1,100 kilometres of coastline, 254,000 hectares of land
of outstanding natural beauty, six World Heritage Sites, 28 castles and 60
pubs, including many places to visit (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace.htm) such as
days out in Oxfordshire (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-daysout/w-daysout-area/w-daysout-
oxfordshire.htm).

    PR Contact:
    Alison Dalby
    Press Officer
    National Trust
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    SN2 2NA
    +44(0)1793-817706
    www.nationaltrust.org.uk

PR Contact: Alison Dalby, Press Officer, National Trust, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA, +44(0)1793-817706