News - Glasshouse to be restored (Wentworth Castle)

A CONTRACT to restore the fragile Victorian conservatory at Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park in Barnsley has been awarded to Shepley Engineers which has workshops in Shafton.

The restoration of the conservatory is the culmination of 10 years of fundraising and is supported by £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Dismantling work is expected to begin towards the end of August before the iron structure is taken off site to the Shafton workshop for eight months of restoration work.


From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/glasshouse-to-be-restored-1-4686601

News - Castle project is up for prize (Wentworth Castle)

THE restoration of a stately home in South Yorkshire has been nominated for an award which recognises the country’s best heritage projects.

Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park, near Barnsley, has made the finals in the National Lottery Awards.

The stately home’s restoration has just finished its first phase, and has been voted through to the finals in the Best Heritage Project category.

Claire Herring, director of the Wentworth Castle trust, said she was ‘delighted’ by the accolade.

She said: “It’s a wonderful achievement for everyone who has helped us to become a real jewel in Barnsley’s crown.”

The winners are decided by the public, and voting takes place until September 26.

Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/best-heritage-project/138/ to vote for Wentworth.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/barnsley/castle_project_is_up_for_prize_1_3748742

News - New historic house director to oversee £2.5m restoration (Wentworth Castle)

TRUSTEES who run a popular attraction near Barnsley have announced the appointment of a new director who will oversee an ambitious plan to restore a Victorian glasshouse.

Claire Herring, who was previously property manager at the National Trust’s Clumber Park, near Worksop, has now taken charge at Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park, near Barnsley.

Her appointment comes shortly after the attraction secured just under £2.5m of Heritage Lottery Funding towards the cost of restoring Wentworth Castle’s conservatory.

She said: ”I am thrilled to be joining the team at Wentworth Castle at this key moment in the estate’s development.

“In the coming months the new funding will allow us to start realising this long-planned restoration project. I am also looking forward to welcoming our summer visitors and discovering the many qualities that make Wentworth Castle Gardens such a special place.”

John Edwards, chairman of the Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Trust, said there had been a big response when the job was advertised.

He added: “The attraction of the site is clear, pulling in such a strong field of candidates. Claire impressed us with her knowledge and we are delighted to welcome her to Wentworth.”

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/new_historic_house_director_to_oversee_2_5m_restoration_1_3482392

News - Wentworth Castle in National Lottery Awards vote appeal

A stately home and gardens in South Yorkshire is hoping to be voted into the finals of a national award.

Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park has been short-listed in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards in the Best Heritage Project category.

The awards, which are voted for by the public, have been set up to recognise various projects across the country.

The 18th century estate was opened to the public when a trust was created in 2002 to rescue the crumbling building.

The Wentworth Castle Trust - which has over 200 volunteers - has seen various phases of restoration, including the Rotunda which is an outdoor imitation of an ancient temple and built in the mid-1700s.

Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park, which has 26 listed buildings, gardens and 600 acres of parkland within the estate has so far received £10,595,144 of lottery funding from Heritage Lottery Fund.

'Support us'

Vicky Martin, Director of Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park, said: "We're delighted to have reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards for Phase One of our programme restoration.

"Lottery money has really helped us to provide public access to this 18th-century estate for the first time.

"It's easy to vote, so we're hoping people support us, as it would be a fantastic reward for everyone involved in the project to receive national recognition for their hard work."

There are seven categories in the awards, each reflecting the main areas of lottery funding: Arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

The winning project from each of the categories will receive national recognition at an event later this year, broadcast on BBC One, as well as £2,000 to spend on their project.

The three projects with the most votes in each category will go through to the final round of public voting.

The public can vote on the The National Lottery Awards website. Voting ends at noon on 20 June.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13613820