Newsletter: December 2025
Julia Dry | Wednesday, 10th December, 2025

Newsletter

December 2025
From Julia Dry on behalf of the Chisholme Institute Board

Dear friends,

I step down as Chair of The Chisholme Institute from December and would like to share news of what has been happening behind the scenes at Chisholme from the perspective of the Board of trustees/directors. Hamid van Koten will be stepping into the role of Chair and Hannah Dalgleish has taken on the role of Vice-Chair. Nuriya Young and Maryanna Ryan have recently joined the board.

Since covid there has been ongoing conversation to align with the intention for Chisholme, to do this individually and collectively.

Firstly covid highlighted the fact that, for the board, coming from far across the UK, distance was an impediment to being able to see and support with care and attention what happens at Chisholme. As you are aware, the view from a distance is completely different from the physical reality of being present in a place.

After covid restrictions were lifted, members of the board committed to visit as regularly as possible for a period which lasted about two years, (we continue to meet four times a year at Chisholme and monthly on Zoom). We were joined by those that had responded to an invitation to all on the mailing list to join the ongoing enquiry. There was commitment to an ongoing conversation which allowed the thread to be held onto and followed. During this time everyone understood that we come leaving our roles and preferences outside the room insofar as possible. Sometimes we needed help with this. It was challenging at times but there were also moments where differences dropped away leaving behind a taste of recognition.

Some unfortunately could not come. However many people did join the conversation, some coming from long distances outside the UK: Australia, Israel, Holland, Austria, Germany, France and the US.

Courses and events programme

Eventually, through a series of trying and finding out how this could work best, the idea of what is currently called the Principal Group emerged more clearly. What was clear was that there needed to be a group of people with experience of participating in and facilitating courses and events who, ideally, would live close to Chisholme or be regular visitors and could be present as support on a consistent basis.

Two of the Institute Board Directors: Hiroko Apthorp and Nuriya Young are currently participants in the group. Other members are Jules Witford, Hakim Young and John Hill. The Principal Group are primarily responsible for the ongoing programme which carries and follows a unifying thread – identifying what is required now and in the future and how this can be best served. They meet regularly.

The Institute Board and the Principal Group meet every quarter at Chisholme as would have been the case in the days when the Principal was in residence. It is an opportunity to share, and update. This is currently working well and the programme as it develops seems to indicate this. It is a continuously unfolding process.
Read more of the development of courses and events thread here:

Courses and Events Programme …continued

There are some areas that I would like to acknowledge and highlight, for those who may not know the history, before stepping down as Chair.

Firstly – Gratitude for the help that comes unexpectedly from all quarters, and thank you to all those who have been present with the aim for Chisholme in whatever capacity.

Secondly – To invite each of you to come to Chisholme, if you are able to, and participate in the unfolding process of the education here. Please also take up the invitation to enter the private retreat facility near the Monument. This was first seen as a continuance in education for those who have completed the long courses.

Thirdly – This education has been of great benefit for those who have attended courses here at Chisholme. The beneficiaries give their support in turn to those students who come now, and pass on the invitation to those who will benefit in the future.

Support for the place

Chisholme is well supported and has a strong backing. It has a worldly face with estate and buildings requiring ongoing repairs and maintenance – alongside a community of people resident and non-resident who value the education and the future of Chisholme as a place for this.

Volunteering
Volunteers are welcome as part of the life of the community at Chisholme. Working on the estate planting trees, in the garden and kitchen to provide food for the table, preparing rooms for guests, building bridges, and decorating, or whatever is needed. Volunteers can participate in the daily programme of meditation and of study two or three times a week, going deeper if they wish to.
You will find more information here

Covenants
(Pledges to make regular small, medium or larger donations over a longer term)
These originally funded the mortgage repayments on Chisholme House. A large proportion of these have continued beyond the mortgage being paid off. These regular donations are a groundswell response to what is present here and represent far more than their financial value. They are a promise and a commitment towards the future for Chisholme. We are grateful for this strong foundation, it is a beautiful arrangement with generosity at its heart. For those who already have covenants we wish to thank you for your steadfast and continuing support.

Donations
Any donation is a source of great gratitude and carries an aim representing far more than its financial value. If you would like to make a contribution please contact the Secretary – secretary@chisholme.org
You can ask for a donation / standing order form and say if you would like to Gift Aid your donation or not.
(You need to be a UK tax payer to make Gift Aid donations)
Visit the donation page:

An update on Buildings and Estate projects

We would like to continue with the renovations to the buildings and accommodation and propose to begin with: re-roofing of the porch at the Main House so the welcome light can be reconnected; repairs to the Steading Cottage which is necessary for use as accommodation; and installation of a shower in the Main House top floor bathroom.

The plans for the Steading Cottage
After we visited we saw that the roof was good for another 10 years but the radiators and plumbing need replacing. It would also benefit from another downstairs bathroom. This work requires engaging professional contractors.

Before looking for funds from external financial bodies mortgaged against Chisholme we are enquiring amongst friends. If you have the resources to help in any way with this please contact chairman@chisholme.org so we can provide more detail and answer any questions.

There have been two successful renovations but old properties need continuous repairs: The Summerhouse Holiday Letting was funded by a generous donation. This has helped support some larger refurbishment projects, also contributing to the Gate Lodge refurbishment, largely funded from a bequest.

Buildings, Estate and Equipment …continued

Student Bursary Fund

We would also like to be able to offer bursaries to students wishing to attend the next six-month course proposed for October 2026 and also to build this fund up so it can offer amounts for other courses too. Last year partial bursaries were awarded to three students.

I will be continuing on the board as a director/trustee but my intention is to step down from the role of overseeing the accounts and producing the figures for the Chisholme Institute’s accountant. If there is someone who would like to take on this function I would be happy to advise of what is involved and be on hand for support. It could be combined with Nuriya Young’s role at Chisholme of keeping the books and ensuring that the financial records are in order. She kindly stepped in to cover a ‘temporary’ gap. Ideally this would be a residential post. Please contact chairman@chisholme.org if you are interested.

With love and much gratitude for your continuing support; for the education; for the mirroring that is present when we come together; and for those who are present to and guided by the spirit of love and knowledge.



Julia Djemila Dry

On behalf of the Chisholme Institute Board:
Hiroko Apthorp, Sylvain Ayité, Hannah Dalgleish, Julia Dry, Tim Roberts, Maryanna Ryan, Hamid van Koten, Nuriya Young

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