Beynon asked the SPAB for its view of the nascent, but unknown, National Trust to see if it might be interested in taking on the Clergy House. The SPAB put him in touch with Canon Rawnsley, one of the National Trust's founders. Before the Trust decided to acquire the building another founder of the Trust, Octavia Hill, contacted the Society for advice. In her letter she said that they "will be asked to 'restore' it, so far as that odious word means preserve from decay of course we should wish to do so." This dislike of damaging 19th century restoration practices was confirmed by the National Trust committee in March 1895 when it resolved that "restoration means such work as may be necessary to the preservation of the building with as little new work as possible." This set the pattern for all its later acquisitions. In June the Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to sell the building for £10. Octavia Hill then asked the SPAB to recommend an architect "who could be there himself whose heart was in the matter and who could decide point by point on the spot what to do and see it being done, with knowledge of art and craft." This was entirely in line with SPAB's views about the best and most careful way to repair an old building. The SPAB suggested Alfred Powell, who undertook the repairs, though the National Trust's first ever appeal for funds proved disappointing. As a result of this early co-operation the National Trust and SPAB developed a close working relationship which continues to this day. Over the years many of its properties from country houses to cottages have been repaired by architects trained by the SPAB, and working to the conservation principles put into practice at the Clergy House. References External links Alfriston Clergy House at National Trust Grade II* listed buildings in East Sussex Historic house museums in East Sussex National Trust properties in East Sussex Clergy houses in England Grade II* listed houses Thatched buildings in England Timber framed buildings in England Clergy House