I was born in Lacock in 1934 and retired from the Service in 2000.
The village including Lacock Abbey was given to the nation into the care of the National Trust in 1944. The National Trust thereby inherited the responsibility for the social housing of the existing tenants of the donor at the time and the additional responsibility for the preservation of the associated historic community. The existing tenants were content with their tenancy arrangements, welcomed the National Trust as their guest and in effect became equal custodians of their homes on behalf of the nation.
The so called "Fair Rent" Act in 1977 created the posts of Rent Officers whose notions of fair rents were far higher than those which Lacock tenants were accustomed to or could afford. The resultant penal rent increases at the time were distressing to tenants and led to the formation of Lacock Tenants Association with myself as Chairman.
We have a good relationship with local National Trust staff and we continue to support the principles of the founders of the National Trust, including Lady Octavia Hill, herself a social reformer and social housing provider.