About Us - A Brief History of The Griffin Trust
The Griffin Trust is a registered charity run totally by volunteers. It was formed in 1990 to save the buildings at Hooton Park. Health and safety procedures were put in place and in stages the site was cleared, outside areas reclaimed and landscaped, and buildings repaired and painted. Keeping the water at bay on the centre hangar was always the first priority. Small buildings were restored and the site in general kept clean and tidy. The Griffin Trust put Hooton's past on display working constantly to create an Exhibition Centre and a North West tourist attraction. In addition many public events were organised; vehicle and motor cycle exhibitions together with auto and aero fairs. Various rallies and corporate events were also hosted.
There are seven trustees and twenty plus members. They have the support and involvement of the Training Network Group, Raby Hall Autistic Society and 1123 Squadron Air Training Corps (Hooton Park). Griffin Trust volunteers have for many years operated the day to day maintenance on site, and now provide caretaking services to Hooton Park Trust. The volunteers are currently engaged in restoring the "MT" sheds, part of the ancillary accomodation. During their term as leaseholders to Vauxhall Motors, the Griffin Trust organised and executed the restoration of Huts 27 and 28. The Griffin Trust is presently undertaking a number of restorations, for example the Hawker Hurricane replica and also vintage vehicle restorations. The Griffin Trust has a substantial inventory of objects and historical documents relating to the site and is registered with a number of museum organisations.
