Buying property -- specifically, a narrowboat

[ericdavidellman]

would anyone care to comment on an immigration/employment question related to heritage preservation in the name of my recently departed Aunt Rose? Rose was a casting director who emigrated to the U.K. from New York in 1960. She married a distinguished actor and instructor at the Rose Bruford College of Drama and Speech. Max died in 1986. Rose went on for another 30 years, received a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of Film and Theater, and died died last year. She left her estate to her poor American relations. With my share of the proceeds from the sale of the estate, I plan to buy a canal boat and have it modified for use by London theater schools for performance in adjoining neighborhoods along the canals. I am making the boat available for free initially in the belief that we will figure out a way eventually to at least recover our costs. Theater schools have shown great interest in the idea, and three sent representatives to form an initial steering committee at a meeting held last week. One of them has already volunteered their company for a series of three public performances at Kings Cross beginning July 17.

Question: do I run afoul of immigration law by doing all of this on a 6-month visitors visa?

I'm told that owning a boat is just like owning any other "chattel", and not a right denied to foreigners. that makes sense, but on the other hand, I feel like I need to ask some qualified attorneys before plunking down most of my net worth on a boat that I might be denied access to after my 6-month visa runs out. To clarify. I plan to live below board, and bring the boat to various places where the public can enjoy free performance as demand dictates. Until we can see what sort of traction the idea has, I'm willing to foot the bill, and will live aboard to captain the boat, perform general maintenance, and manage the calendar of performance.

Should this be wildly popular, and opportunities to recruit sponsors or receive grant funding present themselves, perhaps it could all turn into a business in which case I realize I'll need a work visa, but in the meantime, is there any reason to fear doing as I describe as a visitor?

Thanking all who offer opinions in advance, with apologies for the length of the story.

[CR001]

Any work, paid or unpaid, charity or volunteer is strictly prohibited on a visitor visa. What you are suggesting would be classed as work. You also cannot stay longer than 6 months as you know and will have to leave for at least 6 months before you can return again.

[Casa]

IMHO you may run up against even voluntary work not being permitted while on a visitor visa...even though you're intending to offer the service for free.

I've moved this to the General Immigration forum as it isn't related to 'Settling in'.

Edit: Beaten by Miss Speedy Fingers, CR001. Time for bed....