The Friends of Elvaston Castle group support the Estate Trust's campaign to lease Elvaston Castle Estate from Derbyshire County Council, to maintain and restore its listed buildings and gardens as a publicly accessible site.

The Friends group's main activity at present is to help to raise awareness and support for the campaign and also support fund-raising activities to pay towards the initial cost of mounting the bid for the Castle lease.

Through their efforts, we currently have a petition containing 33,000+ names (and growing by the day!) which supports our call for the Elvaston Castle Estate Trust to take over the lease of the castle and grounds and to work with Derbyshire County Council to restore the estate to its former glory and to ensure that it remains open, in its entirety, to the public. Click here to add YOUR name to the petition online.

The Friends have also taken the petition to Downing Street to present it to the Government in protest at the county council's plans to lease the estate to a private bidder.

The Friends group is currently only a small band of dedicated people but they have already achieved a huge amount in raising awareness of the Trust's campaign. Imagine how much more great work the Friends could do for the Elvaston estate if they were more in number!

We therefore need the help and support of as many people as possible who wish to help with the campaign. If you'd be interested in joining the Friends and helping to play an active role in supporting the campaign, in any way great or small, please, please to get in touch using the form below or email yew@elvastoncastle.org.uk.