Fighting to Save Dunford

Grace Dent follows the fight to buy up and preserve the former home of notable Victorian MP and anti Corn Laws campaigner Richard Cobden.

A handsome 19th century mansion in rural West Sussex, Dunford House was permanently endowed by the Cobden family to the YMCA in the 1950s. The YMCA say it is making a loss and they now hope to sell the property.

Richard Cobden's descendant Nick Cobden Wright and local residents hope to raise funds to buy the property and capitalise on its heritage value. They worry that if Dunford falls into private hands, its link to Richard Cobden will be lost forever.

Producer: Laurence Grissell