‘LOTR’ stars, supporters form ‘fellowship of funders’ to save Tolkien’s home

“The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” stars Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Martin Freeman (young Bilbo Baggins), among others, join the fellowship of funders to save J.R.R. Tolkien’s home and convert it to a literary center. Image: Screengrab from ProjectNorthmoor.org

Supporters and stars of “The Lord of the Rings” have formed a “fellowship of funders” in a bid to save the old home of the late author J.R.R. Tolkien as it is set to hit the market.

Sir Ian McKellen, famously known for his role as Balrog-defeating Gandalf (“You shall not pass!”) led the campaign as he took to Twitter on Dec. 2 to share the campaign video of Project Northmoor.

“Unlike other writers of his stature, there is no centre devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien anywhere in the world. Yet,” said McKellen.

Unlike other writers of his stature, there is no centre devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien anywhere in the world. Yet. @ProjNorthmoor https://t.co/pzMg8Yk2t2 pic.twitter.com/jx2r5MVbcw

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) December 2, 2020

Project Northmoor, the crowdfunding initiative aimed to save Tolkien’s home and convert it into a literary center, was founded by British author Julia Golding.

Martin Freeman, who played the role of the young Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” trilogy and John Rhys-Davies, who starred as the dwarf Gimli in “The Lord of the Rings” are just some of the members of the “fellowship of funders,” who also include Scottish singer Annie Lennox, among others.

Tolkien, his wife Edith and their small family moved into 20 Northmoor Road, Oxford, in 1930, as per Project Northmoor. It was where Tolkien first wrote “The Hobbit,” which started out as a children’s story and was later followed by the writing of “The Lord of the Rings.”

According to Project Northmoor, they would need to raise £4 million (approx. $5.4 million or P258 million) to be able to secure the house. If purchased and renovated, Tolkien fans the world over can visit the center by booking into its program of retreats, writing seminars and other cultural events.

“Unlike other writers of his stature, there is no centre devoted to Tolkien anywhere in the world – we seek to change that. Our vision is to make Tolkien’s house, not a dry museum, but a homely house of continuing creativity, inspiring new generations of writers, artists and filmmakers,” as per Project Northmoor’s site. “The house will also have an engaging online presence to bring into the house’s programme those who cannot travel to Oxford.”  /ra

RELATED STORIES: 

Tolkien TV show seeks burn victims, amputees as extras

Collection of previously unseen Tolkien writings coming in 2021