Captain Tom's prized award and Guinness Book of Records plaque cleared as spa demolished by daughter

25 January 2024, 16:42

Some of Captain Tom's prized possessions were taken away
Some of Captain Tom's prized possessions were taken away. Picture: Splash/Spartacus/Alamy

By Asher McShane

Some of Captain Tom Moore’s prized possessions have been cleared from the controversial spa complex built in his name ahead of its demolition.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin were spotted removing some items earlier this week.

Other people were today seen taking away some of the contents of the spa block - including a special Sports Personality of the Year award given to Captain Tom, the Helen Rollason Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

The Guinness Book of Records certificate is removed from the spa in bubble wrap
The Guinness Book of Records certificate is removed from the spa in bubble wrap. Picture: Splash/ Spartacus

Also removed from the site was his Guinness Book of Records certificate, some paintings, and a model aircraft.

Boxes, gym equipment, and other objects were removed from the spa block ahead of it being demolished.

Workers have arrived this week at Mrs Ingram-Moore's home in Bedfordshire to tear down the unauthorised building, which is at the heart of a planning dispute.

His Sports Personality of the Year award was also boxed up and taken away
His Sports Personality of the Year award was also boxed up and taken away. Picture: Splash/ Spartacus

The £200,000 complex was ordered to be destroyed by February 7 but neighbours in Marston Moretaine had complained there was no sign of works starting.

Ms Ingram-Moore and husband Colin built the spa at their £1.2m home after getting permission for an L-shaped charity office for the Captain Tom Foundation.

The spa complex must be destroyed by February 7
The spa complex must be destroyed by February 7. Picture: Splash/ Spartacus

A year later, in 2022, a retrospective planning application for a C-shaped building containing a spa pool was turned down by Central Bedfordshire Council.

Read more: Captain Tom's daughter needs to 'get on with bulldozing spa pool', neighbours say, as deadline to demolish complex nears

Boxes of equipment were spotted at Hannah Ingram-Moore's house
Boxes of equipment were spotted at Hannah Ingram-Moore's house. Picture: Splash News
Hannah Ingram-Moore has been criticised over the spa complex
Hannah Ingram-Moore has been criticised over the spa complex. Picture: Alamy

James Paynter, a chartered surveyor, claimed on behalf of the family it would be used for old people to enjoy rehabilitation sessions.

Ms Ingram-Moore argued it was not for the family's benefit because it would also be used to hold cards and gifts from Captain Tom's fans.

Read more: Lifesize Captain Tom statue for sale on eBay for £29,000 after failing to find a public home

But the council's planning enforcement said the structure was too different to the originally-envisioned building.

And a planning inspector found they were unable to get into the building during a site visit in March 2022, and could not look in because windows were covered.

An enforcement notice demanding the spa be torn down was issued.

The spa complex was ordered to be destroyed
The spa complex was ordered to be destroyed. Picture: Alamy

The Planning Inspectorate refused to accept the family's appeal after a hearing in October and they did not apply for a judicial review.

Captain Tom raised nearly £40m for NHS charities during the coronavirus pandemic as he walked laps of his garden.

He went on to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth and died in 2021 aged 100.

His family set up the Captain Tom Foundation, but it is due to close after a Charity Commission probe is concluded.

It launched a statutory inquiry into the charity last year over decisions that "may have generated a significant profit" for a company run by the couple.

It said Club Nook Ltd, a separate firm, had been given the opportunity to trademark variations of the name "Captain Tom" without objection from the charity.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump has said he has no choice but to launch mass deportations

Trump says US 'has no choice but to deport illegal immigrants' en masse, as he starts to build top team

Prince William said the past year has been 'brutal'

Prince William says past year has been 'probably the hardest in his life' after Charles and Kate's cancer diagnoses

Ian Botham was saved from the crocodile by his former rival Merv Hughes

Ian Botham saved from crocodiles by former Australian cricket rival after falling into remote river

Sara Sharif was found dead

Sara Sharif’s ‘evil’ stepmum tied her up with packaging tape, father tells court

Three people have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction star Liam Payne

Three people charged in connection with death of One Direction star Liam Payne after he fell from hotel balcony

Mohammed Aslam and Mohammed Nazir have been jailed for their involvement in the 'hitwoman in a hijab' plot

Father and son jailed after hiring 'hitwoman in a hijab' for botched revenge killing in Birmingham

Kira Rudyk has warned against Trump's 'illusion' of negotiating with Putin over Ukraine

Putin congratulates 'brave' Trump on election victory as Ukrainian MP warns against 'illusion' of peace negotiations

Women are swearing off men following Donald Trump's election win.

American women are swearing off sex with men after Donald Trump's election victory

The HS2 chairman has defended the £100m cost of a bat shed

HS2 facing backlash after cost of 'bat shed' exceeds £100m

Exclusive
Andrew Bailey has warned against the fragmentation of the global economy

'Tariffs can fracture the global economy': Bank of England governor warns against trade barriers after Trump win

Two women were arrested after locking themselves to the Scottish Parliament in a climate protest

Climate activists arrested after locking on to Scottish Parliament

Gary Neville has been forced to close his Michelin star restaurant

Gary Neville's restaurant forced into liquidation with £1m debts

President Joe Biden addressed the nation for the first time since the election

Biden pledges 'peaceful transition of power' as he promises to work with Trump in last days of administration

Dylan Willis who has been freed by the Court of Appeal

Teenager jailed after unrest to be released as court of appeal alters sentence

The 'disgusting' balls shut down beaches in Sydney

Revealed: Mysterious origin of 'disgusting' black balls that washed up on Sydney beaches

Kanya Ntuli absconded from Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford on Friday

Urgent appeal to find man who absconded from mental health facility in East London