WE are …

• A place of wonder, possibilities and delight • A cultural, arts and heritage collective • An unforgettable world class destination that stops visitors in their tracks • Heritage sites attracting new audiences through re-imagining heritage in 21st century. GREAT PLACE

WE …

• Take risks and try new things that challenge perceptions of heritage and the North • Touch people near and far by creating opportunities beyond imagination • Connect and ’s communities in a shared story • Enrich many lives through connecting with our past and harnessing creativity to build our future – helping our communities fulfil their potential

WE will …

• Become a destination of choice with a rich cultural offering attracting people from across the country • Inspire local people to take ownership of the place’s future and cultural offer • Make our communities proud • Help every resident to benefit from their shared heritage • Help to put Barnsley and Rotherham firmly on the international map

WE are ONE - and - stronger together

2 2 3 Over the next 3 years WE pledge to: • Work with the residents of Barnsley and Rotherham to support inclusive growth through better, stronger Partnership working communities • Work with the Sheffield City Region Culture, Arts and Heritage sector to support the economic prosperity for the region • Maximise the opportunities for Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar to work in partnership with Wentworth WE are the Wentworth and Elsecar Partnership Castle Gardens and Clifton Park Museum; A culture, heritage and arts partnership across Barnsley and Rotherham that has o promoting the shared heritage and offering a key Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar at its heart - inspired by the graft, creativity destination package through shared marketing and and innovation that has gone before while curating a contemporary and destination development platforms, signposting inclusive path forward. partner sites physically and digitally o delivering an annual partnership celebration project The partnership crystallised between 2017 and 2021 through action • Continue to excite through our locally distinctive place. research and learning from the WE WE Great Place programme. The partners core partners are: Wentworth Woodhouse have established a successful track Preservation Trust, Elsecar, Barnsley Museums, Rotherham record for working as one; with two Museums, Arts & Heritage, Barnsley Council and WE local authorities working together to Rotherham Council. are committed to welcoming and make imaginative, quality projects working with others who will enrich the cultural offer of happen across organisational and this incredible part of the world. administrative boundaries. Together we are investment ready. WE will build on the success of WE Great Place which has sparked new local interest in the shared story of place, stimulated an appetite for exciting, creative programmes and begun to harness the strength of place.

4 ‘ Alternative, Amazing, Inspirational. What a Wonderful day.’ Event attendee

5 WE are committed to creating a stronger identity – we will work together to create Commitment a holistic but connected visitor experience that has a clear shared WE are committed to identity and tells the connected welcoming more visitors – stories of our past, helps to build we want to reach 1.5m visitors per our future and has creativity at WE year from near and far to enjoy the heart. WE will be integral to by 2027. And we want those visitors placemaking for our area. not just to visit WE but be inspired Being part of the Great Place programme has given WE space to go on to visit and resource to experiment, try fresh approaches, take risks Gardens, Clifton Park and Museum, and, most important of all, learn. Over the last four years WE the Cooper Gallery, Cannon Hall, have brought world-class artists and performers to Barnsley Sheffield Theatres and the other and Rotherham to help tell the stories of our shared heritage, heritage, arts and culture sites our got under the skin of South ’s past and celebrated region has to offer. what’s great about Barnsley and Rotherham. WE are committed to helping visitors see the From show-stopping festivals wonder and possibilities for audiences of thousands of our area - at least 75% WE to life-changing experiences WE are committed to of visitors to will say for individuals, WE has been championing growth that perceptions of South and will continue to put our in outdoor arts, Yorkshire have been changed wondrous heritage at the heart becoming a leader in as a result of their visit. of communities and make the outdoor arts sector change happen. respected nationally and internationally for a WE see a bold and exciting curated cultural vision. future. A future where culture, arts and heritage join forces to make positive change happen for the people of Rotherham WE are committed to and Barnsley. WE are ready to increasing investment start the next chapter in our in the WE sites and in WE are committed history with wonder, creativity the Culture, Arts and to everyone in Barnsley and community prosperity at Heritage sector of the WE area. Communities will are committed to and Rotherham the heart. WE benefit from this growth. developing Pride and benefitting from – Ownership through high Over the next decade, quality engagement every resident will benefit with young people from directly or indirectly across from the heritage of WE making a new generation and WE will be able to of cultural champions. demonstrate this.

6 ‘ I wanted to create art work communally with people, and the more and more this project has gone on the community have lead me, the community have made the artwork and felt empowered.’ Artist

6 7 Across South Yorkshire, the arts, culture and heritage: • Contribute £200m to the South Yorkshire economy* • Provide 6,400 jobs • Contribute a further £170m of wider economic and social benefits including supporting tourism, creative industries, health, education, community and individual well-being. • Contribute £1.2bn to the well-being of people living in South Yorkshire.

Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar are located right at the geographical heart of South Yorkshire’s vibrant arts, culture and heritage sector.

The history and heritage of the region tells rich stories of Romans settling in the area and a bustling Medieval economy to more recent industrial heritage and today’s modern communities. All this is set in a diverse and rich natural landscape of green open spaces, farm and parkland criss-crossed by rivers and canals that have helped shape the area’s communities and economy. *This includes perf00historical sites and buildings, zoo, garden and nature reserve activities and excludes the creative industries e.g. advertising, film making, digital, sport and leisure and the night-time economies. £200m GVA is a combination of direct and indirect contribution.

8 The sites are at the heart of the It is estimated that 50,000 people historic villages of Wentworth and volunteer in the South Yorkshire arts, Elsecar which are home to around culture and heritage sector contributing 4,000 people. an estimated £50m a year in the time, enthusiasm and expertise they donate.

oncaster

Barnsley

Elsecar

Wentworth Woodhouse

otherham Sheffield

Wentworth and Elsecar was one of 16 Great Places across England to benefit Over 1 million people live in from funding from National Lottery Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield Heritage Fund in collaboration with and within 30 minutes travel of the Arts Council England and Historic Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar. England. This programme enabled arts, culture and heritage to work together to

Both sites are close to the M1 and help make the local area a better, more convenient travel hubs. productive place to live and work.

8 9 Elsecar

Built to be shown off, the Earls Elsecar has a vast range of things to do Fitzwilliam brought aristocrats for the 500,000+ visitors, mainly from and Royalty to their model across South Yorkshire, who already village of Elsecar. They gazed at visit each year and the increasing glowing furnaces that reached number of visitors from further afield. high into the sky. They went deep The offer includes independent shops into collieries. They marvelled at and makers, artist studios, an antiques spectacular architecture, industry and centre, real ale pubs and taps, a vast extraordinary innovation. events space, steam railway, canal walk, reservoir nature reserve, Recently dubbed ‘the original award-winning park, cycle and Northern powerhouse’, Elsecar hiking routes and more. villagers made amazing things here: great bridges, huge engines to power There is much still to be done to forge the industrial revolution, armour for a truly coherent visitor destination, battleships, and mined millions of engage visitors effectively with such a tonnes of coal, sent all around the remarkable heritage, and to fully realise world. Their rich history has left an the immense potential of Elsecar for the unparalleled variety of archaeological region. However, with a masterplan and sites and buildings, all across the strong partnerships in place, the future village and surrounding landscape. looks very bright indeed.

‘ It felt like a whole community came alive again and interacted with each other like they had done a hundred years ago.’ Student - event organisers

10 ’Lived in Elsecar 43 years. Never been so proud of our village.’ Local resident

10 11 Wentworth Woodhouse

The Wentworths were one of the undergoing an exciting transformation; most important families in Yorkshire. from private house and gardens with Long before the time of the English little public access to world-class visitor Civil War, members of the Wentworth destination. family had held seats of power Thousands of people have been and influence in the area, building involved in helping to create the imposing estate at Wentworth a masterplan for Wentworth Woodhouse as their home. Woodhouse. Tours happening and This is now one of the most important events both large and small have country houses in the UK with the already been giving a sneak peak into longest façade of any country house in the previously hidden world of this England. most impressive of country mansions. This amazing place is now under the At the very heart of our future plans care of the Wentworth Woodhouse is our strong belief that ‘Wentworth Preservation Trust and work on a Woodhouse belongs to you too.’ huge scale has begun to restore this special site. Wentworth Woodhouse is

‘ I live within a few miles of this understated, somewhat unknown masterpiece and its pivotal role in the area’s history. It’s story must be told.’ Local resident

12 ‘ I have lived in Rotherham all my life I’ve never been to Wentworth Woodhouse. I’m already planning on going back now to see more. ‘ Local resident

12 13 Wider collaboration

Everyone in South Yorkshire has on their doorstep a rich landscape where Barnsley Museums whilst researching the history of their we can all imagine, be inspired by those here before us and come together. village or street; stumble upon the Whether it be drinking in a view, exploring a majestic country house, soaking In addition to Elsecar, Cannon Hall, Earl of Effingham’s hunting Lodge on up a painting, delving into the depths of a dark colliery, meandering through Worsbrough Mill, Cooper Gallery and a stroll through the park; drink in the timeless gardens or walking the floor of a long ago hot thundering ironworks. Experience Barnsley are owned and views of the landscape which roll away run by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough from hillside monument; discover Council. Wentworth Woodhouse and Elsecar However his hopes were dashed Rotherham’s industrious past at one of are part of a wider network of heritage, when the fortune instead passed to his Across these sites visitors can discover its unusual landmarks. arts and culture. Working together is cousin. Infuriated, Thomas Wentworth the people and places of Barnsley Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance vital to unlock the full potential of our bought, extended and renamed his through artefacts and hands-on (ROAR) area’s history and creativity. own house and estate, just six miles interactive exhibits; spend time in a away known today as Wentworth vibrant creative art-space in the heart ROAR are an Arts Council funded Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate Castle. of Barnsley town centre; explore a National Portfolio Organisation stunning Georgian country house who’s ethos recognises that creativity The Estate is a diverse rural estate The only Grade I listed parkland and museum set in 70 acres of recently is fundamental to our ability to centred on Wentworth village and gardens in South Yorkshire and once a restored historic parkland and stimulate social change. ROAR help to has an immense history and a wealth closed world for the privileged few, it beautiful landscaped gardens and demonstrate the value of the arts as a of heritage, attractive landscapes is now open to the people of Barnsley meander through a 17th century tool for regeneration, through health (including the landscape around and beyond as a place of learning working water mill set in 240 acres of and well-being, partnership working, Wentworth Woodhouse) and abundant and fun, reflection and relaxation. The tranquil country park. promoting Rotherhams’ cultural life, wildlife. It is maintained with continuity , Barnsley Council and sharing good practice, being flexible and conservation in mind as well as Northern College have created a new Rotherham Museums, Arts & Heritage and responsive to members’ needs, being a thriving rural community. partnership to work with volunteers horizon scanning for collaborative The Estate is committed to developing and the local community not only to Clifton Park Museum is home to projects and funding and business the area as a destination and has care for the gardens and parkland, but Rotherham Museums, Arts & Heritage investment. recently invested in signage and also to find ways to make it a part of who care for and share Rotherham facilities in the village. many more people’s lives. Archives & Local Studies alongside This dynamic organisation supports a range of heritage sites including over 224 artistic practitioners and Wentworth Castle Gardens WE will work in partnership with Catcliffe Cone, Keppel’s Column and organisations who live and/or work Wentworth Castle Gardens to When William Wentworth, the 2nd Earl Waterloo Kiln. in and around Rotherham to gain the of Strafford died childless, his nephew celebrate our shared heritage and Across these sites visitors dive skills and resources needed to achieve Thomas Wentworth expected to inherit offer a joined up destination for visitors into Rotherham’s rich history in an their creative endeavours. the family fortune and their grand and local communities. interactive museum; lose track of time home at Wentworth Woodhouse.

14 14 15 1

£12 million WE in numbers contribution to the South Yorkshire economy 2

Attracted over £9.7 million in national funding 6 to Barnsley and Rotherham 27,100 people attending events a year

Key to infographic: 1) Gross Value Added (GVA) calculated using best available figures for 2019 3 employment, tenants, visitor numbers, construction spend, number of volunteers 2) Combined figures for donations and grants in 2018/19 566,888 5 3) Estimated numbers for 2019; 550,000 Elsecar Heritage Centre and 16,888 to visitors Wentworth Woodhouse every year 48 artworks, 4) Combined total of guided tours. In 2019 access to Wentworth Woodhouse was by performances, tour only installations telling the 5) Number of artworks commissioned by the Great Place WE programme story of Wentworth and Elsecar in new ways 6) Number of people attending Great Place WE events in 2019

7) Combined total. An estimated 80% volunteers come from Barnsley and Rotherham

8) Number of young people taking part in workshops and visits in 2019 4 9) Several additional listings and designations are currently in progress 16,888 10) 50,000 linear meters of scaffold tubes used in the restoration project visitors given 11) Estimated numbers of visitors who have taken the rooftop tour up to March 2020 a personal tour 12) Small and medium sized enterprises and micro-businesses who are tenants or stallholders at Elsecar

13) and a LOT of cake and scones!

16 10 7 Scaffolding 5.5 times 67 staff and 383 the height of Everest 13 volunteers helping to restore Wentworth to care for and Woodhouse’s roof 82,503 cups share WE of tea drunk by visitors per year 11

…and over 5,000 12 9 visitors braved 135 steps to enjoy the Home to 143 Over 100 view from the top local businesses listed of the roof! and 75 pop-ups buildings each week

8

2,371 pupils and students learning from Wentworth and Elsecar’s rich heritage

16 17 In 2018 WE capitalised on the Tour de Yorkshire road cycling race passing both Elsecar and Wentworth Economy; Woodhouse by holding a creative community celebration. At the very contributing towards a creative recovery heart of the celebration was the Great Place ethos of fostering a strong sense of local pride and nurturing the aspirations of young people in Micro case study: Tour de Yorkshire Barnsley and Rotherham. WE have used the Great Place A strong culture and heritage Key benefits: At Elsecar, artist Gemma Nemer and investment to bring tangible economic offer enhance the attractiveness of residents drew inspiration from how benefit to the area through culture and • Tour de Yorkshire brought £98 locations to live and work, provides Elsecar was decorated for the King’s heritage, for example: million to the Yorkshire economy many of the creative skills required in visit in the 1900s by creating vibrant modern society, acts as an accelerator • Additional visitor spend in the area • WE were seen on TV by decorations for the village to welcome for regeneration and can be a focus 11.2 million people worldwide the race. for Covid-19 recovery. • Enhanced profile for WE and • Award-winning - Wentworth At Wentworth Woodhouse, artists Culture, arts and heritage makes Barnsley and Rotherham Woodhouse won the ‘Best Land Art’ Landmark Collective created bespoke a £200m GVA* direct and indirect • Supporting jobs and local award and Elsecar was a runner-up land art on the lawn. The stunning contribution to the local economy and businesses in the ‘Best Dressed Village Award’. design was based on the old story of 6,400 supports jobs. Nationally this guests being given confetti to scatter sector grew by 34%*– faster than any • Strengthening the creative supply • 3,800 people came to WE to along the houses halls to find their way other sector. chain through artist development witness the races and improved networking back to their rooms. Culture, arts and heritage have • Over 90 children, 12 Barnsley significant wider economic and social • Building capacity for high quality College students and 73 local * Gross Value Added benefits including supporting tourism, cultural and heritage programming people got involved in workshops. * 2010-15 creative industries, health, education, • Developing workforce skills and community and individual well-being raising the aspirations of young contributing at least a further £170m to people and residents. the local economy. ‘ Now more than ever, we need to recognise the huge contributions that art, culture and heritage make to our economy and our quality of life and, despite the challenges find creative ways to actively strengthen our creative talent and organisations.’ Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region

18 ‘ Breath-taking experience, makes you stop Well-being; and think about your existence and the role through positive inclusive experiences you play on this planet, truly beautiful and thought provoking.’ Attendee

Culture, arts and heritage bring 1.2bn Individual well-being impact - such worth of individual well-being benefit as increased confidence, social to Sheffield City Region. connectivity and life satisfaction. Great Place has demonstrated that Community well-being impact – WE’s heritage can have a wide range such as social relationships, sense of of beneficial impacts (sometimes belonging, pride of place, ownership life-changing) on the physical, mental and collective empowerment. and social well-being of residents and communities in Barnsley and Rotherham: ‘ It was fabulous, a real fun afternoon, Micro case study: We are great Gemma and Becky aka ‘We Great jaws ache with laughing - thank you.’ Ladies’ were the creative practitioners Key benefits: behind ‘We are great’. The project Attendee • Using creative methods to tackle worked with young people who are difficult social and societal issues struggling socially, academically and by engaging hard-to-reach young who are often not coping well in the people mainstream school system. To reach those who would benefit most they • Creating awareness of the positive work closely with schools, Barnardo’s change the arts can have young carers’, foundation learners • The energy and creativity of the at college, pupil referral units, youth practitioners has motivated young service team and the probation team. people and helped to move them A participant’s journey through the forward to a happier and more project begins with We Great Ladies secure state of well-being spending time getting to know them, • Empowering young people by who they are and where they’re giving give them a platform for their from. Art and drama activities then voice and creativity. get participants actively involved in their community and inspired by the heritage around them.

18 19 Micro case study: Man Engine Key benefits: Pride of place; • Mass media coverage from papers, helping everyone radio and the BBC which was watched by millions • Sold out to a capacity of 4,400 tickets • Supporting the local economy:

Successful places are not just defined • Key contractors/suppliers for the by their economic output; they have a event were mainly from Barnsley high quality of life, creative vibrancy, and Rotherham attract talent, drive investment and • 12 food traders and 17 craft have a sense of cultural identity. makers (including local traders) Great Place has fostered a sense of • Many attendees spoke of a feeling belonging and ownership in WE of immense pride in the area’s unique heritage through place-based industrial heritage. working. At the heart of the approach have been the principles of: The Man Engine is the largest mechanical puppet ever built in • Creative approaches Britain. Standing at a whopping 36- • Authenticity feet tall, this giant Cornish tin miner is made from re-purposed industrial • Collective action and co-creation heritage material and has been touring • Community ownership. England. Great Place brought the 45-minute spectacular show of movement, poetry and stories to WE to put the sites’ rich industrial heritage centre-stage whilst ‘ It was entertaining while also being attracting new audiences. The team worked with local performers, artists respectful, a difficult balance to strike. and musicians to develop content to accompany the puppet’s performance. It made me even more proud of our The Rotherham Music Education Hub, industrial heritage. Grimm&Co and a team of young ambassadors supported the event. Makes you part of the local community, the local area, give you that connection.‘ Local Volunteer

20 ‘ The buzz from the young people just hit The sky’s the limit; you when you came in the room, they were raising aspirations of children and young people worried that the kids would find it boring, but it was completely the opposite!’ Rachel Blake, Project Manager WE Great Place

Low engagement, aspiration and attainment figures for the region have ‘ Creativity can be an Micro case study: Work-wise We Great Place teamed-up with created a mandate for change which Work-wise; an employer inspired Key benefits: WE has a strong role to play. The answer or a bridge and led initiative for the engineering, Durham Commission on Creativity from where young • Over 5,500 young people manufacturing, technology and related and Education has reinforced the empowered and preparing for sectors. The 2.5 year programme importance of programmes such as people are to where the future supported young engineering Great Place in equipping children ambassadors who were looking to for the modern world and the role they want to go.’ • The heritage of Elsecar and follow a career in engineering. heritage has to play in this. Wentworth Woodhouse created Gemma and Becky – a memorable learning environment Through creative challenges at Elsecar, Great Place has showcased exciting, We Great Ladies which sparked creativity and participants gained knowledge, inspiring and engaging ways to understanding amongst local skills, aptitude and opportunities empower children and young people young people for employment. Once inspired through the arts and heritage; they created business models and equipping them with the skills they will • Building connections and bridges presented their concepts which were need for a successful, and happy future. between schools, businesses and judged by engineering employers. artists Young people also had the chance • Helped Work-wise as an organisation to work with an artist to create a move from STEM to a STEAM piece of Wentworth-inspired art and approach incorporating the arts. a poet in residence writing and having conversations on what makes a great place.

20 21 WE are you,

WE are yours,

WE are stories of the known and unknown,

WE are the past and

WE are the future

WE will make a difference...

22 23 ‘ How tiny we are on this vast planet. I feel peaceful, relaxed and calm in one of my favourite places. Thank you!’ Attendee

23 Prospectus concept and content curated by Heritage Insider and graphic design by Genie Creative by Heritage Insider and graphic concept and content curated Prospectus

Wentworth and Elsecar is one of 16 Great Places across England to benefit from funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund in collaboration with the Arts Council England and Historic England. This programme enables arts, culture and heritage to work together to help make the local area a better, more productive place to live and work.

Wentworth Woodhouse Elsecar Heritage Centre Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley, S74 8HJ Wentworth, Rotherham, S62 7TQ www.elsecar-heritage.com www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk

All photographs courtesy of James Mulkeen, Graeme Oxby and Dominic Somers

Economic data taken from Unlocking the Potential of Culture, Arts and Heritage in South Yorkshire (2020). ChamberlainWalker Economics and additional analysis by Chamberlain Walker.