Asbestos ‘led to death' of ex-Beningbrough Hall boss Ann Beaufoy (From York Press)

Asbestos ‘led to death' of ex-Beningbrough Hall boss Ann Beaufoy

10:23am Saturday 29th May 2010 in

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A FORMER administrator at a National Trust property near York died as a result of exposure to asbestos, an inquest heard.

Ann Beaufoy, 67, was joint administrator of Beningbrough Hall with her husband, Mike, in the mid-1980s, after moving to Yorkshire from their former home in Anglesey, North Wales.

The inquest heard how Mr and Mrs Beaufoy helped increase visitors to the stately home by opening up more rooms in the 18th century property.

York Coroner Donald Coverdale read a statement, written by Mrs Beaufoy before her death, which stated she had swept and helped paint a cellar area and the boiler room at the property in December, 1985.

The statement reported that there had been white lagging around the pipes in the cellar and the ceiling of the boiler room, which Mrs Beaufoy believed to be asbestos. In the statement, Mrs Beaufoy claimed she had been given no health and safety assessment or training from the National Trust prior to dealing with the deadly fibres. The inquest also heard that a doctor who performed the post-mortem on Mrs Beaufoy suggested that she may have been exposed to asbestos through her husband’s work clothes, as he had worked for a building firm.

Mr Beaufoy told the coroner he had been a project manager for a building company but was rarely present on building sites, and Mr Coverdale agreed this suggestion “would not be taken on board”.

Mr Coverdale recorded that Mrs Beaufoy had died of plural mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, and said there was no evidence that there had been any exposure to the dust at any time other than at Beningbrough Hall.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Beaufoy said nothing could replace his wife. He said: “We searched to consider how Ann could have been exposed to asbestos.

“We were not aware that it was there. The National Trust has accepted that asbestos was present at Beningbrough Hall – it’s just so sad. I have lost my wonderful wife and nothing can possibly replace her.”

Investigation ‘ would be difficult’

A statement from National Trust solicitors Vizards Wyeth said the allegations related to events more than 20 years ago and would be very difficult to investigate further.

In a letter to the coroner, the representatives of the Trust said: “To investigate matters relating to events more than 20 years ago is rarely easy and this case was no exception. Although there were suspicions that Mrs Beaufoy might have been exposed to asbestos at other times in her life, our clients were not in a position to contradict the persuasive evidence set out in the statement to which you refer.

“In those circumstances the view was taken that she had proved her case and, as you say, liability was therefore admitted.

“We are not able to provide any evidence of exposure to asbestos in other employments or in other circumstances, even though that was believed to be a possibility.”

A further statement said all National Trust buildings have had asbestos removed to meet national requirements over the last six years.

“The Trust continues to monitor asbestos regularly at all of our places, in accordance with legal requirements, ensuring that it remains contained and does not pose a risk to our staff, volunteers or visitors,” said the statement.

“At Beningbrough, including the hall, farm buildings and other accommodation, this was done in 2005.”