IN a dramatic twist worthy of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, his disintegrating former home at Hindhead looks set not only to be saved for the nation but also to become a world-class gold standard special needs school. DFN Charitable Foundation, launched earlier this year by financier and philanthropist David Forbes-Nixon, has pledged £5m to restore Undershaw as the new home of Stepping Stones, with the intention that it will also be open to Sherlock Holmes fans and Doylian historians during the school holidays. Plans have been submitted to Waverley Borough Council for a linked extension to the Grade II Listed building, with state-of-the-art facilities to expand the school which was founded 10 years ago for children with physical and learning difficulties. For full story, see this week's Liphook Herald.