Volunteering Journal 

This blog records my volunteering journey at Wentworth Woodhouse, the stately home of the former seats of the Wentworth and Fitzwilliam families.

I hope that my journey will inspire you to visit this remarkable historical house and to appreciate its extensive history, aiding in its restoration for the enjoyment of future generations. However I will not give away too many secrets, best to see for yourself.

For those who don’t know or have never heard of Wentworth Woodhouse, it is a Grade I listed country house in the village of Wentworth, near Barnsley, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham in South Yorkshire. The house has an amazing history being once the seat of the Rockingham’s to the Fitzwilliam families. Today it is managed by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, which rescued it from falling into total disrepair, without the trust’s intervention it would have struggled to survive for much longer. 

My fascination with the house extends over the years, I recall admiring the house from a distance when visiting the grounds to watch friends playing hockey during the time it was a college. However, my interest deepened while researching my Lincolnshire family. It transpires the Fitzwilliams held the title of lords of the manor of my ancestral village of Anwick, Lincolnshire. My research established that my ancestors rented land from Earl Fitzwilliam, and he also played a significant role in draining the fens in Lincolnshire.

My volunteer journey began on 29 May 2024 I follow Woodhouse Woodhouse on Facebook, they were asking for applicants for volunteer room stewards. I decided to apply so the next morning I sent an email. Subsequently, I was asked to supply two references following which an interview was offered, and on 25 June 2024, I was offered a volunteer post as a room steward. I was delighted.

Notes from my Journal

I was not due to start until July 27. However, there was a new exhibition opening in the house, and on the 9 July, I am due at the big house at 2pm to learn about the exhibition and understand our roles as room stewards.

The exhibition is of the equine artist George Stubbs, the renowned artist who had spent time at Wentworth painting the horses owned by the Rockingham family, he also painted the family’s famous racehorse Whistlejacket. 

I treated myself and bought a copy of the famous racehorse Whistlejacket, painted by George Stubbs.

July 27 – The first days are always nerve-wracking, whilst being apprehensive I was really looking forward to the day. The journey to Wentworth takes about 30 minutes, it’s early the roads were clear so I arrived, parked and made the walk to the front door. When I arrived the door was locked, well I really did not expect the grand doors to be open just for me! Fortunately, someone saw me looking a bit lost and let me in. I have since located the doorbell!

I was introduced to some other volunteers they were friendly and made me feel at ease very quickly.  Following a briefing I was buddied with a very experienced volunteer, he was very supportive and gave me lots of valuable information all useful for future reference. On this day we were stewarding on the newly opened George Stubbs exhibition – Beneath the Surface.

When my shift was over, I recall walking out the front doors, I turned around and just looked at this grand building feeling rather chuffed to be part of the team.

3 August. On my second day as a room steward, the volunteers I met today were so friendly and encouraging, giving me lots of hints and tips. My role today was a floater, relieving other volunteers who were stewarding the Stubbs exhibition. I was working in the Marble  Saloon, a magnificent space which always has a wow response from visitors. Really enjoyed today, lots of dialogue with visitors and felt more confident with my role.

Fact🧐 The Marble Saloon

Q. A world-famous Russian ballet dancer performed in the Marble Saloon for King George V and Queen Mary during their 1912 Royal visit. But who?

A. For decades, it was believed that the famous ballerina had been Anna Pavlova, but recent research by a member of our Research Team has revealed that the dancer was actually Lydia Kyasht, Pavlova’s more famous (at the time) compatriot, friend and fellow graduate of the Imperial Ballet School at St Petersburg.

Sunday 4 August. The opportunity arose to go on the Black Diamond tour, there are several tours offered to the public, including a house tour. This tour offered the opportunity to see other areas of the house and get more history on the families who lived there.

The tour is in alliance with the book by Catherine Bailey.

“Catherine Bailey’s highly-acclaimed book Black Diamonds brought the plight of Wentworth Woodhouse and its incredible story to worldwide attention. The author has again put pen to paper and created the Black Diamonds Tour, a fascinating insight into the story which takes visitors through the twists and turns of the House’s history with one of our specially-trained guides“. Tours for this end on Sunday, 24 November 2024.

End of August. Now four weeks in as a room steward, my knowledge is getting better, and I’m thoroughly enjoying sharing my new understanding of the house with our guests.

Throughout the past weeks of my volunteering journey, I have gained an understanding of artists, the families of the house, and the areas of the house opened to the public.

Volunteers – There are over 300 volunteers on the books at Wentworth, and what struck me very early was the dedication, expertise, and affection for the house from all the volunteers I have met and worked with. Their passion is truly inspiring.

Over the last three months, my experience at the big house has involved volunteering at the Stubbs exhibition, during which my appreciation for art has been significantly heightened. We had to stay in our designated area which allowed me to spend time with these iconic paintings and share the knowledge I have acquired with our visitors, which has been a real pleasure.

It’s now November, the Stubbs exhibition is finished and I am able to spend time moving around the house and learning more about the history of the rooms the visitors have access to. I am loving my time at Wentworth Woodhouse and look forward to 2025 and continuing my volunteering journey at the Big House.

What next?

Now, the next big event is Christmas, and the house is closed until Tuesday, 3 December being prepared for the festive season, the house and gardens will be adorned with lights and decorations. The theme this year is Twas the Night Before Christmas, taken from the poem A Visit from St. Nicholas.

I will share a little of Christmas at the House with you when it reopens.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Contact me at jackocats2@gmail.com