About

ABOUT THE LIMPSFIELD TRUST  

The Limpsfield Trust supports the work of Danehill Ventures. These holidays began in 1962 when the Rev. Kenneth Habershon led a group of 54 young people at the first teenage holiday at St. Michael’s School Limpsfield in Surrey. Kenneth drew his inspiration from his own experience of boys camps run for public schools at Iwerne. However, Kenneth’s vision was to open up these holidays to young people of both sexes from a wide variety of backgrounds, based in local churches rather than through networks of schools. Since then there have been many hundreds – indeed thousands – of young people who have attended.

For 30 years the Ventures were at St. Michael’s, Limpsfield: when the school had to close, they were held at Mayfield, then Wadhurst/Bedgebury, New Hall (Chelmsford), Haslemere (Surrey) and now Danehill (Haywards Heath). In 1977, Kenneth married Mary who joined him in the leadership.

In 2002, after 40 years of Venture work, Kenneth retired and the Ventures continued under a leadership trio: Christine Penfold, Paul Peterson, and Sami Watts. Initially Christine oversaw the work, but following her ‘retirement’ in 2014, Paul was appointed Haslemere Principal and is taking the vision forward. At present there are four Ventures in the summer holidays, one in October and one at New Year.

Danehill Ventures, supported by the Limpsfield Trust, are ultimately overseen by CPAS. The key roles of our trustees, staff and CPAS are shared as outlined here.

The Limpsfield Trust is a registered charity (273213) and can only continue its work due to the gifts of supporters.

You can read The Limpsfield Trust Annual Report - Year Ended 5 April 2023 here.