Victorian-style restoration work on show in historic photograph

As a 150,000 English Heritage project to revive their work at Manor House, Mount Grace Priory, near Northallerton, is currently under way, the modern day team has recreated the fascinating photograph.

The picture, which has been handed in anonymously by a local man, dates back to the 1890s and shows artisan workers employed by priory owner Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell.

Sir Isaac was a keen advocate of the Arts and Crafts movement, which recognised the importance of artisan work and influenced much of the design of the period.

The modern day team is refurbishing two rooms in the Manor House along similar lines with timber oaks beams, new flooring and handmade wallpaper being installed.

The English Heritage custodian at Mount Grace Priory, Becky Wright, said: "There are more than 20 workmen shown in the photo, and that's just about same number of people we have today reviving the two rooms.

"They played a big part in preserving the priory and we would be very interested to learn if anyone recognises any of them."