ARCHITECTURE students from the University of Sheffield are lending a helping hand to boost awareness of a former stately home’s crumbling plight.
Grade II-listed Grimethorpe Hall - which was built in 1670 for Robert Seaton - has long been the subject of a series of failed bids to bring it back into use since it was last occupied more than half a century ago.
Students Emily Baker, Kay Russell, Radita Pramesti, Christine Cheung, Emma Stone, Tom Durham, Natalia Hryszko, Jack Daniel, Daniel Glaser, Cameron Clark and Martin Puig-Chen are all involved in the scheme, which has seen drones being used to provide imagery for remodelling mock-ups.
The work - which forms part of a bigger project - was put on display at St Luke’s Church in Grimethorpe on Wednesday.
Peter Stevenson, from Grimethorpe Residents’ Group, helped set up the students’ and remains optimistic about the ailing hall’s long-term future.
“I don’t think there will be a ‘eureka’ moment at Grimethorpe Hall which secures its long-term future, but the students’ arrival - and their brilliant project - gives us renewed optimism as it raises more awareness on a bigger stage,” he told the Chronicle.
“Historic England have been involved with this project and the students’ work has been excellent.
“Grimethorpe Hall is such a big part of Barnsley’s history.”
Although it has not been lived in since the 1960s, it has had a colourful history since and was saved from demolition in 1981 when then-owner National Coal Board was unsuccessful in flattening the Brierley Road structure.
However, it was named on Historic England’s annual heritage at-risk register last year and conservationists then entered into ‘positive’ discussions with Grimethorpe Colliery Band to take over its running as a base.
The hall was escheated - which effectively means its ownership passes to the Crown when a company dissolves - but it is hoped that Historic England’s acknowledgement of its importance and its Grade II listing will all go in its favour long-term.
A statement on behalf of the students added: “Grimethorpe Hall is currently in disrepair, due to its lack of ownership - however we see great potential.
“Our brief is to explore and create a strategy for the future of the hall, working with the local community.
“The project runs as a part of the ‘Live Projects’ programme, in which groups of masters students work with a range of clients, aiming to implement real changes within communities.”
Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock said she will help keep the hall in the public light.
“Built over 350 years ago, the building is Grade II-listed and on the at-risk register.
“I am very supportive of those in the Barnsley community who are working together to save part of their local history.”
