Landmark in estate family’s history

However, Sir William Worsley is now preparing to make the press for a much different reason.

Sir William, now known as such since assuming the mantle of the Worsley baronetcy following the death of his father Sir Marcus late last year, is preparing to celebrate a landmark moment for his family at the picturesque North Yorkshire village of Hovingham.

In April, the 6th baronet and the 12th generation of his family, will mark 450 years of the family’s ownership of the estate at Hovingham.

Sir William – nephew of The Duchess of Kent – has been running the estate since the retirement of his father, 25 years ago, wrestling with the maintenance of the imposing Hovingham Hall and the estate’s 3,000 acres and a good number of cottages in the much-photographed village, – which was visited by many European Royals, headed by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, for the wedding of his aunt, Katherine, to The Duke of Kent over half a century ago.

The unassuming new heir is conscious of his new responsibilities as head of the Worsley family which dates back to the Norman Conquest when it was one of the leading families in Lancashire.

“We have been landowners for a thousand years, and I see my role as being one of stewardship. The estate is a focus for the family and the community – it is not mine to sell but to keep going as a family estate. It is a huge responsibility.”

Today, the estate has a staff of 15 – in sharp contrast to the days over the four centuries when scores of people worked for it and made up the entire population of Hovingham.

Until a few years ago, the estate owned virtually the whole of the village, but that has changed as a result of half the Hovingham of today being built since the Second World War. “But we have been very positive and constructive in looking to the future of the estate and the village,” said Sir William, who is a chartered surveyor by profession.

“Hovingham is an architectural gem with a great family history. It is a beautiful home at both a county and national level.”

It is that message he is keen to convey to Westminster. He is concerned about the threat of increased taxes. “A high rate of tax would be a disincentive. This is a family home and we would lose money.”

Many of the estate’s plantations are a mixture of hundreds of oaks, beech and ash. “Timber is a great renewable resource. It uses up carbon and has good insulation qualities. It is a great material, especially for the building industry. I am keen on growing trees in a sustainable way and the woods do provide employment.”