Barnsley Archives’ Conservation programme – The Gardens at Wentworth Castle 

During 2024, thanks to funding from the National Archives, the extensive records of Lancaster and Sons of Barnsley – a long-established firm of chartered surveyors, auctioneers and estate agents – were catalogued for the first time by James Stevenson, our project archivist. The collection includes many early records from the Wentworth Castle estate.  

One volume of particular interest is a detailed gardeners’ wage book (ref. A-94-B-5-4-22) which covers the period 1917-1931. The existence of this book wasn’t previously known to us, or to the hardworking group of archive researchers who meet at Wentworth Castle each week to explore, research and discuss the history of the large estate. So naturally it created a lot of interest. 

The downside was that the wage book was in a terrible state of disrepair. In particular, there was significant damage to the leather binding, caused by water many decades ago. The volume was also very dirty, stained, discoloured and there was evidence of previous mould damage. It couldn’t be used safely by researchers due to the risk of further damage. Now, following a programme of professional conservation work, we can open the pages and examine it more closely. 

Wentworth Castle Gardens are the only Grade-I listed gardens in South Yorkshire. They were created in the 18th century by the Earls of Strafford as a symbol of wealth and status, and as part of an intense rivalry with their cousins at Wentworth Woodhouse. 

The Gardens are run as a unique partnership between Northern College, the National Trust and Barnsley Museums. So as a contribution to the partnership, we are delighted to be able to make this volume accessible for the first time – it helps to tell the unique story of the development of the estate and its wonderful gardens. 

Barnsley Archives and Local Studies have an ongoing conservation programme to ensure that the 4000 collections in our custody can still be safely used by researchers many years, decades and centuries from now. The programme is a crucial part of the work we do and is supported by Barnsley MBC, the Friends of Barnsley Archives and the Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust.  

Paul Stebbing 

BMBC Archives and Local Studies Manager