Generous South Yorkshire companies are being urged to ‘fork out’ for a Wentworth Woodhouse ‘wishlist’…
The CEO of the preservation trust restoring the Rotherham stately home to its former glory is appealing to businesses to upcycle or donate desperately needed items.
“We have a long list of equipment which would help us greatly, but it’s early days for us and we can’t afford the vital pieces we urgently need,” said Sarah McLeod of WWPT.
“We’re not proud – we will gladly take secondhand donated items. We suspect many of things on our wishlist could be lying redundant at a builder’s or engineering firm and promise we will put them to great use.”
Top of the wishlist is a secondhand Kubota mini cart, or a redundant golf buggy, which could be used to transport elderly visitors around the grounds and enable staff to ferry equipment needed at outdoor events. Currently the only way is for a ‘chain gang’ of staff to pass items down the line.
A fork lift truck is also on the list.
“We have to carry everything by hand right now – including stock for our cafe and bars, building materials and refuse. That involves too many people, takes too much time and lifting heavy things is no good for our backs,” said Sarah.
A portable building is needed for the volunteers who are working hard to develop the gardens. Currently there is nowhere in the grounds for them to wash their hands, eat their lunch and take shelter in bad weather.
And a supply of crowd barriers is required to keep visitors safe and protect heritage features at major events.
Crowds are anticipated at a number of summer open air events – a production of Sense and Sensibility by Chapterhouse Theatre Company on August 30, movie nights featuring recent box office hit The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, on August 24 and 26 and Eighties classic Dirty Dancing on Saturday August 25. (For ticket information go to www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk)
WWPT also need a set of semi permanent toilets so visitors at outdoor events, particularly those with disabilities, can spend a penny in comfort.
Companies willing to donate, or help to fund, an item on the Wentworth Woodhouse wishlist should contact Sarah McLeod on 01226 351161 or at Sarah@wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
