annual review 2019 Chair’s welcome

When I and fellow members of the Board of Trustees look back on what has been achieved in this, just the second year of the Trust’s term as custodians of Wentworth Woodhouse, it is with pride and astonishment that we recognise just how much progress has been made by so few. We are blessed with a small, dedicated staff team who respond to the ever changing challenges on a daily basis, the demands of the project are very high and the commitment they show is truly remarkable. We have a high calibre of staff whose first thoughts are always to the needs of our visitors. Our resources are limited and the team give far more than we could ask for. My admiration for them is never waning and on behalf of the Board I thank you all, paid staff and volunteers alike. You are a credit to the Trust and the people and visitors whom you serve. More and more people now know about Wentworth Woodhouse, as a place to visit, as a major restoration project and as a Trust that cares about and works with community groups from across the region. We are expanding rapidly both in terms of the activities we are delivering, the numbers of people visiting and the new jobs we are creating. It is a very exciting time and I hope you will enjoy reading about our achievements within this report and continue to support us. This project is a catalyst for change for the people of South : the communities we serve, our staff, volunteers visitors and supporters and we cannot do this without your on-going help.

DAME JULIE A KENNY DBE DL CHAIR OF WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL: [email protected]

02 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 TRUST OBJECTIVES partnerships The objects of the charity are specifically restricted to the following: To develop appropriate partnerships “To acquire and preserve for the benefit of the nation the whole or with others including stakeholders who share our values and subscribe to our any part or parts of the buildings, grounds and surrounding land known as long term vision. Wentworth Woodhouse in the Metropolitan Borough of and which are of special historical, architectural and constructional heritage and interest reach new audiences (“the building”) together with such fixtures, fittings, furniture, pictures and other To provide a world class, inspirational chattels (“the contents”) are as contained within or form part of the building and enjoyable experience for all, with and which are in their own right or by association with the building objects of equality and diversity as key drivers of particular historical, architectural or artistic interest”. our audience development plan. professionalism regeneration opportunities To operate with openness and transparency, promoting best practice, Always attaining to the very highest Using Wentworth Woodhouse as a behaving professionally and acting conservation standards to protect and remarkable heritage asset to provide respectfully towards others at restore the site, its buildings, structures multiple year round opportunities for all times. and landscape through balanced and the advancement of skills, education appropriate re-use, finding creative and life-long learning by way of care for our environment solutions leading to an economically training, work experience, volunteering Be committed to sustainable policies sustainable future. and employment, whilst enhancing and practices. Environmental concerns knowledge through scholarship and are essential to our decision making. engagement academic research. We understand the value of acting in To engage with, listen to and work an environmentally responsible way to with local communities and wider working relationships minimise the impact on the environment audiences. Engaging hearts and minds To work with the Fitzwilliam Wentworth from our operations. to celebrate the site as an asset to Amenity Trust to ensure that the region and the nation. Offering Wentworth Woodhouse, comprising entrepreneurial spirit a positive long term contribution to the house, gardens, park and To operate a creative and solutions the economic and social life of local monuments, is preserved as an entity, focussed business with commercial communities and acting as a driver for for the benefit of the local community flare whilst always seeking to deliver Rotherham and the wider tourist offer. and the Nation. our charitable objectives.

“More and more people now know about Wentworth Woodhouse, as a place to visit, as a major restoration project...”

DAME JULIE A KENNY DBE DL

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 03 regeneration

The Wentworth Woodhouse Masterplan “A New Life 2018” was published October 2018 and copies are available online at www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk

Phase One of the emergency works programme is now almost at an end. This work involved the complete replacement of the roof slates on the Bedlam wing of the building. Having opened up the roof a number of unforeseen issues were found with the roof timbers and structural support measures had to be introduced. The Chapel roof has also been completely removed and currently lies open but protected by the temporary roof that has been erected as part of the Phase 2 works. Again a number of issues were discovered with the Chapel roof which will be completely restored along with the internal ceiling and chandelier over the coming weeks. The Riding School, also included in the Phase One works has now been stripped of its slates with new slates currently being laid. Phase One works are due to be completed this Autumn.

phase two Anyone visiting the site recently and over the coming year will clearly see the scale of the restoration works taking place, given the enormous scaffold that now completely engulfs the central part of the historic east front of the Mansion. The Phase Two contract being delivered by Robert Woodhead Ltd, forms the largest phase of the Treasury funded emergency works project and includes the replacement of roofs and repairs to high level stone work, statues and urns. The scaffold will be in place for 16 months with the roof top work visible to those on the roof top tours who will also see the restoration to the urns is taking place at ground level. MULTIPLE CHALLENGES Though this year the project has been very much in its early stages, it has already presented multiple challenges to the team. As the house is a Grade I listed building, the scaffolding could not be attached to the building and so is secured to the ground with platipus anchors, which are drilled to the ground and are designed to splay out to prevent the scaffolding from lifting off the floor in heavy winds. Friction ties have been used to tie the scaffolding to the walls and extra strength given to the scaffolding structure through doubled up fittings.

04 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 Phase Two forms the largest phase of the Treasury funded emergency works project and includes the replacement of roofs and repairs to high level stone work, statues and urns. challenges Our thanks go to all of the partners The extremely heavy urns involved in this project but particularly (approximately 600kg each) needed to Historic England who provide to be lifted down for restoration. tremendous guidance and support, Some of them were only being held our Architects Donald Insall Ltd and by their own weight due to their Site Manager Andy Stamford. timber pins rotting over time. Lifting BEHIND THE SCENES them was challenging as the majority As well as this very visible work, further of the weight sits in the middle of improvement and planning to secure each urn due to their shape. the future of our site is undertaken An innovative scaffold frame was behind the scenes on a daily basis. constructed around each urn to Over the course of the year much work secure them when lifting, as well as has been undertaken including the extra clips added to the surrounding installation of improved fire detection, scaffolding to allow the crane crew a detailed access and parking study, to clip on and off more easily. The the submission of bids to extend crane crew were also able to remove the visitor offer including facilities the historic glass lanterns that require in the gardens, and new community restoration but are incredibly heavy. engagement programmes and events.

FACILITIES AND and secure. With significant derelict Our maintenance team is made up MAINTENANCE buildings at the entrance to the site of a talented and generous group With so much building work taking presenting security and safety risks, of contractors, specialist heritage place, a key focus for us this year, has investment in additional security contractors, and volunteers who been fire management and detection. has had to be made and thanks goes regularly go the extra mile to help We have worked with our specialist to Police who have us restore and maintain things fire engineers to upgrade our current helped us on numerous occasions this from drain clearance to chandelier systems and to integrate the current year and are increasing their patrols restoration, and recently extending to building works into our automatic and use of the site for training. surveying – we are very grateful for reduced, cost price and gifted time systems. The buildings on site operate Our maintenance strategy is to make and items. within a strict no flame policy and systematic improvements across very stringent rules are in place all areas each year. With a site this As we learn more about the building with regards to any unavoidable hot large it would be easy to expend our and its needs we have developed a works and how they are managed. resources on one item alone, instead ‘Wish List’ which will form a key tool We have invested in the best, safe we try to spread our budgets to make in our fundraising efforts. The list use fire extinguishers on the market sensible, incremental improvements, includes 50 items and “asks” from and work very closely with the local some which are clear to see, others restoration of an urn to the provision and Heritage Fire Brigade Offices to are not. This year approximately of a golf buggy to save time traversing ensure that we apply best practise 200 metres of fencing on the East the site. on our site – we thank the local fire Front was replaced, any visitor to brigade for all their assistance across the site will easily be able to tell the site. which is the old and which is new The installation of fibre broadband – our old fences are no more than last year has enabled us to extend our a collection of sticks! Other Wi-Fi to the café and our reception less visible improvements are areas and we plan to extend this to storerooms which we are access in the coming years, but clearing, decorating and bringing with a footprint of 3 acres, this is an back into use. expensive and challenging task that We continue our quest to make our needs to be done sympathetically site more accessible for all – our within our historic setting. ramp to ground floor has been kept The installation of fibre broadband clear of scaffold for delivery, buggy has provided opportunity to and wheelchair use and our long-term install state of the art surveillance plans to increase accessibility across equipment to help keep the site safe the site are beginning to form.

06 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 We are working on 1,500m² of the roof which is equivalent of about six tennis courts

Each urn weighs about the same as an adult polar bear!

50,000 metres of scaffolding poles have been used – laid end to end, they would be 5.5 times taller than Mount Everest The scaffolding reaches 30 metres high, the same as six double decker buses! decker six double as same the high, 30 metres reaches scaffolding The

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 07 engagement

Fifteen new Visitor Guides were recruited into paid work this year, some from the current volunteer team and some new external additions to the team, to deliver the core visitor offer and provide exceptional visitor experience.

TELLING OUR STORIES A training workshop in customer services and tour guide delivery was developed and delivered to the new Visitor Guides and the Guide Support volunteers. Professional development of staff is important to us and all training is evaluated to ensure it is impactful. We continue to see positive feedback on Trip Advisor and emails from group visits thanking specific Visitor Guides and the team for their day with us. The Garden Tour has seen improvements over the year. The snowdrop special tours that ran in February 2018 were a huge success. Keen to build on this, the garden team led by Head Gardener Scott Jamieson worked hard to ensure more snowdrops were moved and replanted ready for February 2019. The visitor numbers soared for February garden tours from 247 in 2018 to over 750 during the same 4 week period in 2019. Further development to the visitor offer includes a series of specialist tours; “Hidden Tours” taking visitors behind the scenes, “Conservation Tours” led by architects and contractors working on the capital works project and “Wentworth According to Bob”. Bob’s tours have been proved extremely popular, offering visitors a unique chance to experience the house and to hear stories from someone who previously worked as a joiner for the last Earl and his family. VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDES Over 20 Volunteer Tour Guides were recruited, trained and inducted in preparation for the new rooftop tours which launched in July. We run 6 rooftop tours a day with up to 20 visitors per tour. The overall visitor offer has now expanded to include a total of 12 tours a day, 5 days a week with group visits running all week alongside these.

08 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 A training workshop in customer services and tour guide delivery was developed and delivered to the new Visitor Guides and the Guide Support volunteers. ROOF TOP TOURS systems that have been introduced • A range of merchandise bearing The roof top tours provide access and integrated into the existing site the hashtag #WENTUPWORTHIT along a dedicated visitor walkway, system. including pens, mugs, bookmarks offering a spectacular view of the The tours operate in a similar way to and children’s teddy; BuilderBear. many roofs across the house. the existing tour programme, with a WELCOME HOUSE tour guide and Much of 2018 included working backstop per towards opening the house for tour, but with ‘commercial free flow’ within some of the addition of the ground floor rooms. This allows the a lift operator, house to welcome and engage with whose role people walking past and encourages is dedicated them to use the tearoom and shop. The to the safe house is now open for this ‘commercial and effective free flow’ from Tuesdays to Sundays. operation of Internal signage has been placed the passenger along this visitor route to help orientate hoist; these visitors and a new team of Welcome roles rotate Volunteers have been recruited to throughout the welcome and engage with them. The day to keep administration team have moved to interest for the Pillared Hall entrance to create a Visitors can also witness conservation our team as well as visitors. welcoming reception, they are also and restoration in action as they We have also implemented: equipped to deal with, and process, look down onto the contract works queries and bookings. The Pillared • A ding-dong-donation-station, taking place. The introduction of Hall has now become a far more allowing visitors to donate from such a visitor offer was not without vibrant and busy area, considerably the top of the scaffold, and hear a its logistical challenges, with many different from how it felt a year ago. inspections by relevant authorities, bell ring right at the bottom as the the facilitation of passenger lifts to donation passes directly into the shop SIGNAGE allow full access for all visitors, the • A selfie station, allowing visitors to Signage has been installed along the purchase of standby generators take photos of themselves and others visitor journey from the entrance to for evacuation in the case of power in the party, with the hashtag the site, helping visitors to orientate failure, and portable fire warning #WENTUPWORTHIT and to give a sense of arrival.

10 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 Garden volunteer numbers have increased significantly over this last year.

THE GARDENS This increase, coupled with input It is a significant variety, providing the The Camellias in our collection have from Willow School who specialise parentage for thousands of modern been the centre of attention this year in the education of children with hybrid tea roses. following visits from the President learning difficulties and behaviour of the International Camellia Society issues, has led to the development of a WENTWORTH and the Garden truly diverse group. GARDEN CENTRE Manager of Our thanks go to the Airey family of Chiswick House, WENTWORTH Wentworth Garden Centre, who this who, along with SCHOOL year opened up their own historic a past curator This Spring saw the gardens to our tour groups, allowing of the historic inception of “The the full story of the garden’s history Chiswick camellia Edible Garden” a school to be told. The reunion means visitors collection, vegetable growing can now pass freely into the site of the discovered that group, from Wentworth Japanese Gardens and view the area our collection is C of E Primary School. once dominated by the vast kitchen of great historic The group visits garden. Working collaboratively significance. every Friday to plant with our neighbours is key to our One of the plants seeds and cultivate core values and the new partnership “Alba Plena” a small area of the certainly enhances the visitor offer. may possibly be garden; to date the Our garden features are now the oldest plant harvest has included beautifully adorned with signage, of this variety garden peas, radishes, giving the garden a more welcoming in the western various salad crops feel for our visitors. world, having first and new potatoes. An being introduced enthusiastic group, to England as they are eager to help a variety from China in 1792. With and as space for growing crops is assistance from the garden team at limited, they often turn their hand Chiswick House propagation material to other garden chores including will now be taken to their nursery clearing nettles and brambles. A new and grown on for us ensuring we have generation of keen gardeners has at least one duplicate collection. been born. GARDEN VOLUNTEERS FITZWILLIAM ROSE Garden volunteer numbers have In spring 2019 the Lady Mary increased significantly over this Fitzwilliam rose, bred by renowned last year with the original 10 now rosarian Henry Bennett and named in increased to 31, giving an incredible 1882 for the daughter of the 6th Earl, 4010 hours of service in the garden. was reintroduced to the gardens.

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 11 “This house has a magic of its own. Such an asset for the people of Rotherham to enjoy and learn about its history. I love to contribute to help bring it back and save it for future generations to continue its preservation.”

Volunteer Feedback from quarterly meeting opportunities

The impact of volunteers at Wentworth Woodhouse is, like the house itself, huge. Not only do volunteers support the WWPT with income generating functions including the shop, weddings and events, they also act as ambassadors for the Trust.

VOLUNTEERING Anecdotal evidence suggests that volunteers gain significant personal satisfaction and wellbeing - a form of self-social prescribing - from being part of a team of people with a common goal. Incredibly the total financial value of volunteer activity on site over the year equates to at least £340,115.

Between April 2018 and March 2019, 68 new volunteers started giving their time to Wentworth Woodhouse. This brings total volunteer Volunteer Feedback from numbers up to 183 – a 59% increase on the quarterly meetings: previous year. “It’s a wonderful place to be. New volunteer roles including Visitor Gives me an interest out of work. Welcome, Rooftop Tour Guide, Specialist All the people are very nice. You Maintenance and Laser Machine Operator feel appreciated.” have been developed. The volunteers have participated in training including “I know exactly what is barista, customer service, fire expected of me. Everyone extinguisher handling, and operating is helpful, informative and the laser machine training. friendly. It is a beautiful setting and a bit of an adventure The volunteer tour guides and watching everything unfold.” backstops continued to provide entertaining and informative “Huge thanks for organising last tours of the house, bringing night! (quarterly meeting). in vital income and great It was wonderful to sit in the sun feedback via TripAdvisor. sharing food, drink and laughter with my volunteer colleagues In total the tours team and the WWPT team - a really contributed 3,050 special treat.” volunteer hours. “Every day is different – different people different jobs but we’re all working to make the house great again! I feel as if I am giving back.”

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 13 Overall volunteers contributed an incredible 22,332 hours to the success of the Wentworth

Thanks to the commitment of volunteers Woodhouse Preservation and the amazing work of the Trust, this Trust during the year. gorgeous house is being saved from slipping into disrepair.” “Went with two friends on the snowdrop walk on 10th February in the ‘ARTWORKS’ VOLUNTEERS morning. Our leader was a Joan who ‘Artworks’, a group of adults with learning difficulties gave a fascinating tour of the private visit the garden weekly and give their time as volunteers gardens with lots of information about - benefitting themselves and the wider garden. Artworks the grounds and history. Her passion have also created unique gift ideas inspired by the garden, and love of the venue was evident” which will form part of our retail offer. The well-established “A great history and hopefully a Tuesday garden volunteer group ‘Welly Wangers’ appeared wonderful future. Reg, our guide, in the press and continue to work wonders in the gardens. was inspirational. All the volunteers, Their success had been built on and now a large group of whatever their role, couldn’t have been Wednesday volunteers has been established with similar more helpful.” successful results. “The tour we took was informative and well presented by Emma, one of The garden teams and the dedicated army of volunteers that Artworks have contributed are saving Wentworth for generations to come.” 4,010 volunteer hours over the course of the year.

The Housekeeper in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator have continued to develop a small team of volunteer housekeepers to concentrate on caring for particular areas of the house so we can develop ‘cyclical’ cleaning to keep the public areas of the house presentable. In total the housekeeping team contributed 860 hours this year. The ‘reception’ role continues to flourish and offers visitors a warm welcome to Wentworth Woodhouse. The Front of House team contributed 1,873 hours.

Specialist volunteers bring their own set of skills to bear on the house including Dave Johnson, a specialist in brass work who has restored the Chapel chandelier and worked specifically on historic door furniture. Brian Gleadhill who worked on the house’s rain water goods and drains 50 years ago (and met his wife here) returns weekly to carry out a similar role as a volunteer. His knowledge of the house is invaluable and unique. In total, maintenance volunteers contributed 832 hours.

14 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 2,729 hours were given in various volunteer roles including archiving and research, laser machine, office, meetings, training, supervising the shoot, clearance, surveying and corporate social responsibility.

RESEARCH TEAM now open 6 days a week to tour visitors and the public The research team meet on a monthly basis and were alike. Our Catering Manager now oversees a team of 15 tasked to fact and myth bust the current tours amongst full and part time staff, many of whom are from the local other research specific topics. All research is digitised community. and will soon be archived and themed. Most recently the With the unenviable task of keeping the house clean our research team worked on auction catalogues to identify Housekeeping team has also grown with new 2 recruits ‘lost treasure’s’ that once formed part of the house’s joining the Head Housekeeper. They are supported by a collection. This was then turned into a special tour that ran small but dedicated team of volunteers who ensure that during the Antiques Fair. the house remains clean and tidy despite the growing A WARM WELCOME visitor numbers. As activity at the site grows, so does the team. We now Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have a total of 49 members of paid staff (equating to 23 More and more companies are showing support for our full time equivalents) across a range of departments. Our work by participating in our CSR programme. Groups from greatest area of expansion has been in the tour guide team the Environment Agency, Royal Bank of Scotland, and with 17 part-time paid guides now delivering tours of the AMEY Engineering amongst many others have attended, house and gardens with more currently being recruited. ensuring that significant areas of work are completed Likewise, the catering function has expanded with the café across the site.

AMEY (ENGINEERING) CSR DAY: “It exceeded my expectations. All staff were a credit to the trust, maintaining our enthusiasm and interest in Wentworth. I left wanting to revisit and explore more of the house.” “The tasks that we were asked to do were clearly explained and also the reasoning behind them. It was great that Scott remained with us and did the task alongside us – this has not always been the case at other venues. Spending the time with Scott made the day really interesting as he has so much knowledge about the history of the house and also the future plans.”

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 15 working relationships

WWPT senior management and representatives of the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust have throughout the year met up to update on project progress and to discuss any relevant issues including the management of major events.

The two organisations jointly commissioned a detailed study to investigate options recommend solutions to access and car parking challenges, and entry and egress on site and adjacent areas. The report is now in draft form and consultation with stakeholders will begin shortly. Making Connections By courtesy of Sir Phillip and Lady Isabella Naylor-Leyland, members of staff and volunteers were invited to visit , the Fitzwilliam house near Peterborough earlier this year. The group was welcomed by Mr William Craven (Assistant Agent) and Mr David Halliwell (Butler) at the church in Marholm, where many Fitzwilliam’s are buried, including Tom, the 10th and last . Then on to the house, which, like Wentworth, has two very different sides and you are unable to see one side from the other. In January this year the Trust was bequeathed the collection of the late Mr Roy Young which included items relating to the family, house, estate, school and church. We are currently documenting the collection, which will certainly be of great value and use to us as we develop the interpretation plan for the site. In June, we had a curatorial visit from Gareth Hughes, Curator at Welbeck Abbey, the home of the Dukes of Portland. Our own team will be making a reciprocal visit this year to learn and exchange knowledge. Members of staff recently attended a symposium at Dublin Castle on Thomas

Coolattin House Wentworth, the first series of lectures to be held on this fascinating and important man for over 20 years. The content proved very educational and the team made new connections, including representatives from Coolattin (the Fitzwilliam Irish Estate) who plan to visit Wentworth in August.

16 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 working The Trust was bequeathed the collection of the late Mr Roy Young which included items relating to the family, house, estate, relationships school and church.

King and Queen Mary visited Wentworth Woodhouse for four days, in the summer of 1912 out. As part of the tendering process the companies partnerships were asked to provide an outreach plan to engage young people. The programme Durham submitted included The partnership between the Wentworth Woodhouse engaging 30 secondary school students and one class Preservation Trust and the (NT) continued of Year 6 primary school children. The secondary school to flourish over the year with over 50% of our visitors students were chosen by the school; many were students being NT members. Almost three quarters of the grant identified as either more-able or less engaged at school. aid provided by NT over the year was used to create new The majority of the students were boys, chosen as part posts and pay salaries. Today there are 9 employees at of one of the school’s initiatives to increase school the site who are fully supported by the support we receive attendance. The project also provided an opportunity for from the NT. a primary school to visit; Year 6 from Wentworth Primary The input from NT has not just been limited to financial School attended bringing 16 students. support. On-going expert advice from NT on digital Creative Pathway marketing; visitor experience approaches (most Targeting those most in need, artists Becky Newbold particularly in the context of the new roof top tours with and Gemma Whelan have worked this year on the which the Vine were extremely supportive); interpretation development of a creative programme to support and signage; and procurement has proved extremely disadvantaged young people in the area. Initially they valuable to WWPT and has helped to really facilitate undertook a research and development phase before knowledge exchange. This was highlighted during the progressing with the delivery of tasters at Wentworth partnership day held at Wentworth for National Trust Woodhouse for a group of young carers in partnership General Managers and regional staff. with Barnardo’s young carers, a pupil referral unit and WWPT is a key partner in the WE Great Place programme planning activity with the Youth Offending teams. Tasters funded by the Arts Council England and the Heritage were focused on motivation and aspirations, personal Lottery Fund. Working alongside Rotherham Metropolitan development and behaviour management. Borough Council and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Wentworth Woodhouse and have been developing a more cohesive approach to the visitor offer in the two boroughs by way of events, education and arts reach new audiences projects. ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITIES Artist in Residence Following on from the success of last year’s Man Alun Kirby was appointed as the very first Wentworth Engine event, and with the support of the Without Walls Woodhouse “Artist in Residence” and has been busy partnership, in July this year WE Great Place hosted the researching Sheffield WE Wonder Festival on the West Front lawns. It proved to Archives for records that be a tremendous success with over 2,000 attendees made relate to the gardens at up mainly of local families. Wentworth Woodhouse. WE Great Place continued to pilot a one-day workshop This content has formed targeted at secondary schools that covered heritage, the foundations for arts and enterprise, where students became a business creating a series of for the day and planned out a concept that would installations across the attract young people to Wentworth Woodhouse. The first gardens which were cohort was made up of five sessions, delivered with 430 showcased at the WE students from Horizon and Wickersley. Seven sessions Wonder Festival at the were delivered in the second cohort, with 430 students Ice House, Punchbowl, from Barnsley and Rotherham Secondary Schools. Ionic Temple and the The sessions were very well received by the students, Camellia House. Alun also teachers and staff at Wentworth. The day was designed welcomed the Creative to contribute to Ofsted outcomes, career plans and the Pathways project to Gatsby benchmark. Wentworth and conducted During these Heritage Enterprise Days the young workshops with them. participants engaged with Wentworth Woodhouse and Geophysics in the Garden the story of the Fitzwilliams. The day sessions included a As part of the work to reinstate some of the hidden and creativity session with Rotherham based professional artist lost features in the Wentworth Woodhouse gardens, a James Brunt, social innovation competencies workshop geophysical survey was undertaken on the area known with a local business person and a marketing workshop as the sunken garden. Archaeological Services Durham with an expert from the private sector. The day culminated University were contracted to carry out work. In all two with student teams presenting to each other and scoring days were spent undertaking the survey; a resistivity based on peer review. Learning from this activity is survey and a magnetometer survey were both carried contributing to a European funded project, Nemesis.

18 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 performance and to explore ways of developing our professionalism business. Ideas from the team are always very welcome. Our partnerships with other organisations allow us to Our ever growing team remain committed to providing exchange knowledge and ideas with others who have faced the highest level of customer service. Staff, both paid similar challenges. We endeavour to deal with mistakes and volunteer, attended various training courses across and complaints effectively, learning from them and the year as we endeavoured to deliver opportunities for improving as we grow. professional development for our employees. Quarterly staff and volunteer meetings have continued in Staff meetings take place every Friday morning and staff the house and gardens, some social gatherings and others are encouraged to speak honestly and openly about information exchange sessions. care for the environment

National Citizens Scheme In July 2018 two groups of young people from Rotherham joined us for a week as part of the National Citizenship Scheme. Each group was given a garden challenge; the first to reinstate the rose garden in the very overgrown and run down walled garden, the second to carry out an excavation of the Victorian sunken garden. It was very hard physical work and a challenge many thought could not be overcome with groups so young and inexperienced. By the end of the week, and much to everyone’s delight, both teams had successfully completed their challenge and both gardens looked stunning. Victorian sunken garden before Out thanks goes to all involved and we look forward to welcoming groups from NCS again later this year.

Victorian sunken garden after

Rose garden before Rose garden after

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 19 Volunteer Feedback from quarterly meeting

From traditional small family gatherings to large, extravagant weddings, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers ensure that every aspect of the day is run smoothly and with dedication. entrepreneurial spirit

We rely heavily on the commercial arm of our business, which includes catering, retail and our very popular wedding offer. These all provide much needed revenue for the site and the extensive regeneration project currently being undertaken.

RETAIL Our first retail area opened in 2018 and provided a great deal of learning in terms of the product mix but It quickly outgrew itself and in 2019 was moved to a much larger space. The theme for the year, in line with the new tours, has been “The Year of the Garden” and the products and displays reflect this. New ranges have been added including bespoke beer and gins, soaps, candles, throws and various garden gifts. The retail offer will complement visitor programming and the release of any film and tv programmes filmed on site. A small range of rooftop merchandise has also been purchased. WEDDINGS The house hosted 8 weddings in the year, with a variety of themes and styles. Over a hundred wedding guests flew in from America to attend one wedding and were in awe of the house, spreading the word when they returned home. The largest wedding hosted 320 guests, with dining spread over four state rooms. A total of over 1700 guests attended weddings at Wentworth over the last twelve months. From traditional small family gatherings to large, extravagant weddings, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers ensure that every aspect of the day is run smoothly and with dedication. The house facilitates a wedding show round weekend every month to accommodate the number of enquiries we are now receiving on a daily basis.

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 21 EVENTS 2019 and others including Renishaw Hall, Rotherham in his grotto. Over 5000 Chatsworth House, and an exploration visitors attended the market with 250 It was a busy year for the events of “Technology in the Country House”. attending the choral concert. department as we explored new ideas In all over 800 guests attended the for events with a view to attracting lectures. Our thanks go to all of the RE-ENACTMENT SOCIETY new audiences to the site from the speakers involved in the lecture series. The Sealed Knot is the oldest re- surrounding communities, as well as enactment society in the UK, a visitors from further afield. The events sponsored walk registered educational charity, and the programme has been developed to In September 2018 one of our single biggest re-enactment society in encompass the core values of the site dedicated volunteers Liz Davis helped Europe. In May 2019 we hosted our first whilst also trying to understand the to plan and deliver a sponsored re-enactment on the West Front lawns. needs of our visitors. We aim to be walk which raised over £1400 for The Civil War themed re-enactment was inclusive for all and to be imaginative Wentworth Woodhouse. More than 30 relevant as Wentworth Woodhouse was in our approach to programming. people participated and Liz was aided once the home of Charles I’s advisor

Chapterhouse Theatre Company – The Secret Garden The Sealed Knot re-enactment society

In June 2018 and again in July 2019 we by several other dedicated house and friend Thomas Wentworth, 1st hosted four separate performances of volunteers who ensured the safety of , whose execution at outdoor theatre, with the Lincolnshire those on the walk. The Trust would the behest of Parliament was a major based Chapterhouse Theatre Company; like to extend its thanks to Liz and her factor in the build up to the outbreak in 2018 A Midsummers Night’s Dream, fellow walkers. of the Civil War. Although this could be Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the perceived as a special interest event, it Baskervilles, Sense & Sensibility and in ANTIQUES FAIR attracted many local families who came 2019 keeping with our annual theme of In November 2018 and again in June to site to relax in the gardens whilst also gardens – The Secret Garden. 2019 we were pleased to welcome the learning and engaging with the history team from Galloway Antiques Fairs. outdoor cinema evenings right on their doorstep. Galloway Antiques hosted a variety In August 2018 Wentworth In June 2019 Wentworth of traders who deal in fine arts and Woodhouse hosted its first outdoor Woodhouse was pleased stunning jewellery. The house was cinema evenings, opening to a sell-out to host classically- transformed for both events, with crowd of 1500 attendees. The Oscar renowned pianist and accessibility for all as the stall were all winning “The Greatest Showman” conductor Janusz Piotrowicz, presented the lower floors of the house. opened in a spectacular way as the founder of L’Orchestre du Over 1500 people attended each event sun set on our beautiful west façade Monde, for two mesmerising which will become a regular feature in the rock choir performed their own recitals featuring the works of our annual events programme going wonderful modern musical melodies. Chopin and hosted in our stunning forward. The second evening we hosted “Dirty Room. Janusz has Dancing” which proved to be another Our festive offer for 2018 included toured the world as a pianist, even high selling evening. an annual choral concert which playing for the Pope at age 5 and The annual lecture series began was delivered from the Thurnscoe has conducted The Hallé, Royal in 2018, our first series “Historic Male Voice Choir and a three-day Liverpool Philharmonic, The Royal Houses” welcomed a number of Christmas market. The Christmas Philharmonic, London Mozart Players notable speakers. Lectures included market featured wooden cabins and and Royal Northern Sinfonia. We are the Clifford Newbold Memorial a festive tepee. Santa even popped very grateful to Janusz for his support Lecture on Wentworth Woodhouse, by to meet with the children of of Wentworth Woodhouse.

22 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 WE WONDER FESTIVAL have worked with the Wentworth HAUNTED HAPPENINGS The WE Wonder Festival held in July Woodhouse team, and on each The Haunted Happenings team were 2019 provided a safe and engaging occasion they have delivered an on site again throughout both 2018 space for families whilst also making outstanding evening whilst also and 2019 coming to site once a month good use of the West Front gardens. helping to fundraise for the house. in search for paranormal activity. WE Wonder was created to engage Our thanks goes to them. We have welcomed just under 1000 families, children and even adults’ people since 2018 on these events. minds into the world of the strange WENTORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL and unknown. Focusing on recycling The Wentworth Music festival is now Wentworth Woodhouse has always and the fate of our planet WE Wonder in its 3rd year. The event, which is attracted film crews, frequenting the attracted over 2000 visitors. The hosted by third-party organisers Toby house and grounds and transforming event included a mixture of land Foster and Steve White, attracted an each space with their own unique set artists, portrait artists, performers, audience of almost 4000 people. The designs. We have had the honour to bush crafters and a cast of magical festival is a family day out, aimed at all host BBC’s Gentleman Jack, ITV’s volunteers from Grimm & Co; this age groups. This year we welcomed Victoria, and Universal’s new Downton one-day event aimed to get people to some excellent artists including Dr & Abbey feature film which portrays the unplug from technology and re-engage the Medics, Tony Hadley and Republica, visit of George V and Queen Mary to with the environment around them. we also welcomed back Soul Sensation Wentworth Woodhouse. Our thanks The provision of a Mobiloo and adult and a mix of local and up and coming go to all of the volunteers who help to changing facility helped several families artist. All acts were well received and steward these filming sets, the hours for enjoy the day and to feel welcome. WE the event itself was very well executed which can sometimes be very long and Wonder will return in the winter with WE with the full support of Rotherham late into the night. WONDER NOIR. Metropolitan Borough Council, the emergency services and local village On a beautiful summer evening in groups. The music festival included July 2019 the Rotherham Symphony a new offering of a quiet space for Orchestra delivered a stunning anyone who needed a break from the gardens themed chamber concert hustle and bustle of the main with special guest Soprano, Charlotte event. Kenny. The RSO was initially created to give the town a professional standard orchestra to showcase the The WE Wonder Festival held in July vast musical talent in Rotherham. 2019 provided a safe and engaging space This was the second year RSO for families whilst also making good use of the West Front gardens. During the period from April 2018 to March 2019 the Trust attracted £4,288,473 through fundraising activities. fundraising

Fundraising is key to everything we do and over the course of the year a number of activities took place and funding bids were submitted in order to progress the development of the site.

The “Make your Mark in History” campaign has continued to attract messages of love, remembrance and celebration from our visitors who have donated funds in order to have their special message engraved on to a new roof slate. The Trust purchased its own laser printing machine and a group of dedicated volunteers trained to become operators this year. All slates are now engraved in-house. To date (August 2019) 726 slates have been engraved and £45,291 raised. The campaign will now run until October 2019 when it will close as the slates will be placed on the roof. FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Our fundraising committee is now well attended and a number of new initiatives are underway. New collection boxes have been distributed across the local area to complement the big collection dome in the Pillared Hall. The roof top Ding Dong Donation Station has also proved popular. During the period from April 2018 to March 2019 the Trust attracted £4,288,473 through fundraising activities of which £4,076,518 was restricted.

Funding Applications Made during the year Pilgrim Trust (Camellia House) £20,000 Grant awarded AHF (Camellia House) £17,500 Grant awarded Fitzwilliam Amenity Trust (Camellia House) £25,000 Grant awarded Ian Addison Charitable Trust (Camellia House) £21,000 Grant awarded Historic England (Camellia House) £30,000 Grant awarded Historic England (Stables) £30,000 Grant awarded Garfield Weston Foundation (Camellia House) £150,000 Grant awarded AHF (Stables) £ 20,000 Grant awarded Great Places Access and Parking £10,000 Grant awarded Great Places Activity Planning £2,000 Grant awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund Development of Camellia House and Stables £1,507,400 Grant awarded Delivery of Camellia House £3,386,300 Application submitted Ecclesiastical (Camellia House activities only) £50,000 Application submitted Sylvia Waddilove Foundation (Camellia House) £30,000 Application submitted

Total Value of applications awarded / awaiting outcome £5,287,200 over the year

WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 25 finance

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust - Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) Period ended 31 March 2019

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Total funds Funds Funds Funds 2019 2018 £ £ £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations & legacies 211,955 4,076,518 - 4,288,473 8,871,856 Charitable activities 152,258 - - 152,258 303,421 Other trading activities 400,541 - - 400,541 179,936 Investments 2,634 - - 2,634 2 TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 767,388 4,076,518 - 4,843,906 9,355,215 Expenditure on: Raising funds 271,912 3,087 - 274,999 763,204 Charitable activities 597,492 1,951,907 - 2,549,399 481,407 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 869,404 1,954,994 - 2,824,398 1,244,611

Net income / (expenditure) before transfers (102,016) 2,121,524 - 2,019,508 8,110,604 Transfer between funds 33,497 (48,997) 15,500 - - Net income / (expenditure) before other recognised gains and losses (68,519) 2,072,527 15,500 2,019,508 8,110,604 Net movement in funds (68,519) 2,072,527 15,500 2,019,508 8,110,604 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 364,161 811,151 7,253,683 8,428,995 318,391 Total funds carried forward 295,642 2,883,678 7,269,183 10,448,503 8,428,995

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust - Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2019

GROUP CHARITY 2019 2018 2019 2018 £ £ £ £ Fixed Assets Tangible assets 89,104 47,224 85,454 46,216 Heritage assets 7,269,183 7,253,683 7,269,183 7,253,683 7,358,287 7,300,907 7,354,637 7,299,899 Current assets Stocks 44,191 5,880 316 968 Debtors 96,961 91,318 134,021 84,788 Cash at bank and in hand 3,413,940 1,220,716 3,329,795 1,219,709 3,555,092 1,317,914 3,464,132 1,305,465 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (464,876) (189,826) (433,905) (208,934) Net current assets 3,090,216 1,128,088 3,030,227 1,096,531 Net assets 10,448,503 8,428,995 10,384,864 8,396,430 Charity Funds Endowment funds 7,269,183 7,253,683 7,269,183 7,253,683 Restricted funds 2,883,678 811,151 2,883,678 811,151 Unrestricted funds 295,642 364,161 232,003 331,596 TOTAL FUNDS 10,448,503 8,428,995 10,384,864 8,396,430

The company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue on 17 September 2019 and signed on their behalf by: Dame Julie Ann Kenny DBE DL Chair, Trustee. Company Registration Number 08809187 BHP LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor, 21 September, 2019, 2 Rutland Park, Sheffield S10 2PD The above is a summary of the consolidated statement of financial activities and balance sheet which is consistent with the audited accounts of the Trust. The audit report on these accounts is unqualified.

26 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 thanks

Working at Wentworth Woodhouse is not easy, the expectations on the team are great. Everybody works beyond the call of duty, often outside of their comfort zone, trying to go that extra mile to make the project a success. It is true to say, we laugh, we cry and we all at times I am sure, feel somewhat overwhelmed with the enormity of the challenge. But we are a team, both paid staff and volunteers and I know that we all love coming into work. We all see this as our own personal challenge and we all take great pride in the work we do. This report only highlights what fantastic things can be achieved when people pull together, dig deep and give it 100%. Here’s to a great year – may there be many more to come!

SARAH MCLEOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL: [email protected]

GROUP CHARITY PATRONS lady juliet tadgell marcus binney CBE Trustees

DAME JULIE A KENNY (CHAIR) DBE DL

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE KCVO CBE DL

sir philip naylor-leyland Bt

james berry

JOHN CALDWELL

simon alexander carr

timothy cooke OBE WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST Wentworth Woodhouse Wentworth Rotherham S62 7TQ

Rachel Cowper Tel: 01226 351161 Email: [email protected] TO KEEP UP TO DATE FOLLOW US: @Wentworth_House wentworth.woodhouse.10 wentworth_woodhouse Charity Number 01155374 © Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust 2019

MARTIN DRURY CBE Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust wish to thank the following organisations for helping us this year

KEITH RONALD KNIGHT

JOHN MERLIN WATERSON CBE