Prince of the Halflings wrote:

The house is a Grade 2 listed building, so I'm not certain what this Project is trying to "save". The house isn't in danger of being demolished or altered.

True, and in fact the house will be altered more to make it a theme bed and breakfast and seminar retreat than if a family bought it.

Prince of the Halflings wrote:

I would also question what will happen to the money raised by this charity if it falls short of the asking price for the house (which is not currently even on the market).

The FAQ says in the event they don't get the house, they will use all of the raised money to

promot[e] the knowledge and appreciation of Tolkien’s works, and those of his friends his fellow Inklings; and promoting arts, crafts and literature, through creative writing, film and other means. For example, establishing a centre to run courses and events in Oxford and elsewhere to promote the appreciation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s works and inspire future generations of writers and artists in fantasy and other genres.

I have seen a statement by them in one of the press articles (I will go try and find it again and reference it) that they are currently in contract for the house, and have a limited time to raise the funds to pay for it - that's why it is off the market.

Edit: New York Times article (emphasis added by me)

The residence had entered the market for the first time in more than two decades last year, for nearly $6 million, or around 4.7 million British pounds. The asking price was lowered to about $5.3 million, before the listing with Breckon & Breckon was withdrawn recently in order to give the group time to organize financing.

Urulókë wrote:

The FAQ says in the event they don't get the house, they will use all of the raised money to

promot[e] the knowledge and appreciation of Tolkien’s works, and those of his friends his fellow Inklings; and promoting arts, crafts and literature, through creative writing, film and other means. For example, establishing a centre to run courses and events in Oxford and elsewhere to promote the appreciation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s works and inspire future generations of writers and artists in fantasy and other genres.

I have seen a statement by them in one of the press articles (I will go try and find it again and reference it) that they are currently in contract for the house, and have a limited time to raise the funds to pay for it - that's why it is off the market.

Thank you for that information! I'd heard that it was off the market - it makes sense that they would be the bidders. Nobody else seems interested at the moment. The asking price is high, although I'd snap it up in a second if I had £4 million pounds to spare!

I don't remember any of this nonsense when Christopher's house in Oxford was for sale. You know, the one with the famous "barn" where The Silmarillion was constructed? Most of Middle-earth was in that barn. TCG should have dug deep & bought that multi-million pound pad. We could have moved Jeremy & his family over here (whether they wanted to move or not). It might have attracted a modern Åke Ohlmarks. Jeremy could have gone to the Bodleian Library shop most days. He'd have off-road parking; a big deal in Oxford.

Khamûl wrote:

I don't remember any of this nonsense when Christopher's house in Oxford was for sale. You know, the one with the famous "barn" where The Silmarillion was constructed? Most of Middle-earth was in that barn. TCG should have dug deep & bought that multi-million pound pad. We could have moved Jeremy & his family over here (whether they wanted to move or not). It might have attracted a modern Åke Ohlmarks. Jeremy could have gone to the Bodleian Library shop most days. He'd have off-road parking; a big deal in Oxford.

?

Khamûl wrote:

I don't remember any of this nonsense when Christopher's house in Oxford was for sale. You know, the one with the famous "barn" where The Silmarillion was constructed? Most of Middle-earth was in that barn. TCG should have dug deep & bought that multi-million pound pad. We could have moved Jeremy & his family over here (whether they wanted to move or not). It might have attracted a modern Åke Ohlmarks. Jeremy could have gone to the Bodleian Library shop most days. He'd have off-road parking; a big deal in Oxford.

Well as it goes there happens to be a place in Oxford going for £4M. We could sell Trotter's Hobbits and buy that place in Northmoor Road.

I think 'Trotters Hobbits' sound like a biscuit brand and Jeremy should have to produce these for visitors to the house.

I think there is a much chance of me selling my Hobbits for £4m as there is of this project raising £4m. None

I'm also very disappointed that people and reporters take on board celebrity endorsements without seemingly doing any 'due diligence' into the project.

Trotter wrote:

I think there is a much chance of me selling my Hobbits for £4m as there is of this project raising £4m. None

I'm also very disappointed that people and reporters take on board celebrity endorsements without seemingly doing any 'due diligence' into the project.

Come on Trotter, if this thing can sell for £1000 then your Hobbits can sell for £4M

I love the idea of Trotter and all moving to Oxford so he can make the cashier at Bods' shop smile with happiness every time he comes in

By the way, did anyone notice that some rather prominent C.S. Lewis supporters are in the video? Michael Ward is at Oxford, apologetics, with a book on CSL or two; Michael Guite is an Anglican priest and pretty close to the CSL crowd; and there might even be Douglas Gresham in there, but I am not quite sure.

So, someone serious on getting the second Kilns?

I mean, if this really were the plan I would be quite fine with that. I would just love for them to be upfront on this.

P.S. I can't stand people who say they don't want to do a "dry museum" on anyone, let alone Tolkien.

People who don't like museums ... Nah.

Not my friends

Olwe wrote:

So, someone serious on getting the second Kilns?

I mean, if this really were the plan I would be quite fine with that. I would just love for them to be upfront on this.

I agree, I have no problem with them doing this, just need to make it absolutely clear to donaters that this is what they are going to do.