Ernest Cook

Ernest Edward Cook (4 September 1865 – 14 March 1955) was an English philanthropist and businessman and grandson of Thomas Cook. In 1928, along with his brother Frank, sold his business interest in the family firm. He founded the Ernest Cook Trust in 1952. The Trust is now one of the UK's leading educational charities. Each year, as a result of Cook's foresight and passion for the countryside and the arts, the current Trustees are able to distribute more than £1.25m in educational grants to benefit children and young people.

Rooted in the conservation and management of the countryside, the Trust also actively encourages children and young people to learn from the land through hands-on educational opportunities on its estates and by offering grants.

The Trust currently owns and manages almost 22,000 acres of landed estates across five counties in southern England: it upholds the highest standards of estate management throughout its land, farms and buildings, remaining true to Ernest Cook's vision.

The trust owns 21,500 acres (87 km²) of land and is responsible for the following estates

• The Fairford Park Estate
• The Barnsley Village Estate
• The Little Dalby Estate
• The Hartwell Estate
• The Boarstall Estate
• The Slimbridge Estate
• The Trent Estate
• The Filkins Estate
• The Hatherop Estate

Sources

• E. J. T. Collins, ‘Cook, Ernest Edward (1865–1955)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 1 July 2006

External links

• Ernest Cook Trust Website