Wentworth Woodhouse promises to 'come back in force' as preservation effort continues

Contractors will continue with urgent repairs to the roof of Yorkshire's largest stately home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Wentworth Woodhouse is closed indefinitely but work on its roof will continueWentworth Woodhouse is closed indefinitely but work on its roof will continue
Wentworth Woodhouse is closed indefinitely but work on its roof will continue

The Grade I-listed house and gardens near Rotherham are now closed to the public and tours have been suspended. Events and wedding bookings have been cancelled.

But owners the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust are determined to press ahead with much-needed restoration work to the house's Georgian roof.

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Leaks, water damage and dry rot have left many rooms in the mansion at risk and waterproofing the roof has been an urgent priority since the trust bought the house in 2017.

Trust founder Dame Julie Kenny and chief executive Sarah McLeod lock the doors to the houseTrust founder Dame Julie Kenny and chief executive Sarah McLeod lock the doors to the house
Trust founder Dame Julie Kenny and chief executive Sarah McLeod lock the doors to the house

Contractors moved onto the site in 2019 to undertake the first repairs to the roof since the 1970s, and the first major overhaul in more than a century.

They will continue to work during the coronavirus pandemic in adherence to government guidelines that state that construction projects can still go ahead.

Extra precautions will be taken to ensure workers are adequately distanced from each other and have access to regular hand washing facilities.

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Staff at the ancestral seat of the Earls Fitzwilliam admit that faith is 'all we have left to run on' during one of the toughest periods in the estate's existence.

The house has survived adversity before - its future has been uncertain at several points in its history, including just after World War Two when its grounds were destroyed by open-cast mining and the male line became extinct. In the 1980s, the Fitzwilliam family put it up for sale and it was saved by a private buyer, who could do little to prevent it falling into decay. Restoration efforts since the trust took over have been supported by public funding grants and it appeared to finally have been saved for the nation.

The 52 staff are being paid until the end of March and the 212 volunteers have been stood down until further notice.

The trust are exploring their eligibility for the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which could protect their employees and enable them to return to work.

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The roof work has not been halted because doing so would cost an additional £30,000 per month for scaffolding hire, security, insurance and health and safety measures despite nobody being on-site and there being no income stream.

The contractors have now begun placing slates engraved with personal messages from supporters of the project over the East Front portico.

Trust chief executive Sarah McLeod said:-

“Keeping people safe is our absolute priority right now. Wentworth Woodhouse will re-open in style as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over and we want everyone back in force - all our staff, volunteers and loyal supporters."

The Woodhead Group, who are undertaking the work, have introduced health screening, staggered break times and additional hand washing.