Welcome back! Raby gears up for reopening with an exciting Summer programme Sustainable Forestry Plus Read how Raby Estates Curlew Habitat and woodlands are sustainably Population Project managed under long term Restoration, forestry plans Restoration, Restoration – work begins to restore iconic County Durham properties Image credit: David Grey History | Nature |Holiday | Property Spring 2021 Each year during the winter months, In 1900 the post was held by a Mr Raby Castle many historic buildings close their Thomas Barker. His Annual Salary doors to visitors. Raby Castle is no was £75, making him the highest paid gears up for exception and after a busy festive member of staff in the household. The period, the castle closes before average wage in the UK at the time was Welcome reopening, with opening again in the spring. just over £42 per annum. new spaces on While the doors have been closed, this As the most senior servant in the period has been anything but quiet for household, Mr Barker was responsible show for the the castle team, as work to care for and for the management of the male maintain the collection has continued servants and for overseeing the behind the scenes. Traditionally, these smooth day-to-day running of the first time. months see the winter deep clean house. His job centred around a daily back! with conservation work and collection meeting with the Henry de Vere checks taking place, as the castle Vane 9th Baron Barnard where he prepares to welcome visitors in the took the orders for the day and then year ahead. saw that they were carried out by his team of footmen as well as the Some of the furniture originally Housekeeper and female servants. supplied for the Octagon Drawing He advised Lord Barnard on wines Room by the Bond Street company G. and spirits and he kept a meticulous J. Morant has been returned to display record of the valuable contents of the after being rested for a couple of years. wine cellar, selecting the appropriate It is a reminder of how the room would accompaniments to the dishes being have looked, and how it would have prepared in the kitchen. been used in the past. Mr Barker’s role was very visible, he A new beautiful gilt and gesso mirror would announce dinner and carry in has also been installed in the Small the first dish. He would be on-hand Drawing Room. Dating from around throughout the meal to attend to the 1865, this lovely piece decorated with family and their guests. The Butler scrolls and leaves shows the room also held special responsibility for the at it’s finest. Positioned opposite valuable china and silver. He would another fine mirror means that the ensure that cutlery was polished reflection creates the optical illusion of before laying the perfect table, and infinity – an endless line of sparkling that there were no finger prints on chandeliers. the sparkling crystal glassware. After New for Raby Castle in 2021, the castle use, he would check that every piece team are delighted to open the doors was accounted for before it was locked of The Butler’s Pantry which has been away for the night. recreated in the original setting. The Butler’s Pantry at Raby Castle The Butler’s Pantry was the personal includes the original knife cleaning office space of Raby Castle’s Butler. machine, the bell system by which A hub of activity, it was from here members of the family or their guests that the Butler managed different could summon the servants and aspects of the household, rather like the original Butler’s desk, used by a a conductor keeping an orchestra in generation of men who kept the castle perfect time. working like a well-oiled machine. The Castle reopens on Wednesday 19th May – visit www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle to book tickets. To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Spotlight Restoration of Spring Hill and Unthank Cottage Work has begun to carefully restore one of Upper Teesdale’s landmark properties, Unthank in Harwood. Unthank overlooks spectacular scenery across the dale, with views down Harwood Beck and the River Tees. The renovation is one of the biggest residential The teams’ skills and dedication have already seen refurbishment projects in the estate’s history and the successful renovation of another property it is hoped the completed three-bedroom property in Upper Teesdale, Spring Hill Cottage, another will be available for let next spring. previously derelict property with impressive views across the dale. Spring Hill Cottage has undergone The derelict farmhouse has been undisturbed for complete renovation with new timbers, plasterwork over 40 years and we have been working closely and interiors. It has been a fantastic experience for with an ecologist to protect the wildlife habitats our whole team, including our apprentice who is in the area. A barn owl box has been put in place learning his trade in a unique and very rewarding in one of the barns for nesting, and great care is environment. being taken to minimise disruption to the natural environment. At Spring Hill our challenge was to retain the original character of the building whilst Local artist reimagines introducing modern infrastructure to the property. Compliance was a major part of the refurbishment rural locations at Raby work, and rather than installing traditional methods for heating and hot water we fitted an Over the last 12 months The project included transformation of air source heat pump as a sustainable renewable two sites on the Raby Estate into unique energy alternative. Air source heat pumps local artist Steve Messam visual landmarks. Bespoke and unique have been fitted to four other estate property has been working on a tensile textile forms were used to fill refurbishments currently underway. new project, The Architect and wrap the structures, adding form and colour that imagines them in new The roof timbers and floor joists will be replaced, The refurbishment of Spring Hill Cottage also of Ruins, where site- ways, and were photographed to capture having been exposed to the elements for many included the conversion of an adjoining byre to the moment when the landscape was years, and there is currently no mains drainage or create a full height living space with a vaulted specific installations were changed by their presence. Images of electricity. The task ahead is significant, but it is ceiling. This beautiful property is now the home to undertaken in Teesdale and the installations will be featured in an one that our small in-house project team feels very our High Force managers Andrew and George, who Weardale, including on the outdoor exhibition at Ushaw College privileged to be tasked with. moved there in April. Raby Estate. until early July. Karl Hankey, Compliance Manager To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Update Update Raby recruits for an Estate Ranger Restoration of Gainford Hall In Upper Teesdale, situated in the Sharing these incredible landscapes with visitors is Gainford Hall on the outskirts of Gainford in County Durham, is a real privilege. We take our social and community North Pennines AONB, (Area of responsibilities very seriously, and as part of our an impressive Elizabethan manor house, built between 1600 and Outstanding Natural Beauty), Raby commitment to safeguarding these spaces we are 1603 for the Rev John Cradock, vicar of Gainford. This striking Estate manages some truly unique recruiting an Estate Ranger to join us working in Grade I listed building has a double-pile plan form (two rooms this spectacular area. The newly created Estate landscapes. Ranger position will help enhance the experience deep) and is believed to be one of the earliest examples of this for visitors, providing information, support and At the heart of this area of the estate is High Force type of building in the North East. guidance to help people experience and appreciate Hotel and Waterfall. The waterfall attracts tens the natural environments in Upper Teesdale safely Gainford Hall has not seen any major Gainford Hall recently came back under the of thousands of visitors each year, and is one of and respectfully. This is a community customer restoration for over 100 years and as a result, management of Raby Estates and its removal the most natural, iconic visitor attractions in the focused role, and as well as monitoring and has fallen into a state of disrepair. Gainford from the at-risk register is a priority for the North of England. Raby Estate also manages the maintaining the local environment the post holder Hall is on Historic England’s Heritage at-risk Estate. The repair and renovation of this surrounding areas on the North banks of the River will also lead guided walks, educating the public register, reflecting its need for significant remarkable building will begin in the coming Tees, including the falls at Low Force, which are about this unique area. We look forward to sharing and extensive repairs before any of its fabric weeks, and we look forward to sharing further incredibly popular with visitors. further details of this appointment in the next is lost. progress as we restore Gainford Hall and newsletter. secure its future. Creative competition winners enjoy Raby Castle’s Easter Trail Young artists from across the region got creative last month as part of our Easter Egg competition to design the eggs for our Easter trail. The top 12 designs were included in our Easter trail at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, with the winners receiving entry to the trail during the Easter holidays and a prize.