Tyntesfield roof uncovered after years under wraps
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The exterior of Tyntesfield covered in scaffolding during restoration work
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Latest update 27.03.2013 15:12
For the first time in nearly two years, the magnificent Gothic Victorian mansion is free of its scaffolding, revealing the full colour and glory of its restored roof.
The roof has been hidden for over 18 months behind one of the largest temporary free standing scaffold roof structures in Europe, the size of 10 tennis courts, while repairs and restoration work were taking place.
Over the years the striking original diaper pattern created by the roof tiles was lost due to intermittent repair work that took place before Tyntesfield was acquired by us. The deteriorating condition of the roof also caused considerable water damage to the walls of the house and some of its contents.
Now watertight and weatherproof, the newly cleaned and restored black and red tiles display the bold geometric colours and patterns that were first seen by the Gibbs’ family in the 1860s.
An incredible time lapse film, mounted on its own scaffold, has captured the dismantling of the scaffolding which took 14 weeks to remove. Taking a shot every 10 minutes between 7am and 6pm, 5 days a week, the film has recorded the entire process of dismantling which saw the removal of 28 miles of scaffolding poles, 11 miles of scaffold planks and over 24,000 fittings.
Inside the house, dozens of contractors have worked in all of the 106 rooms during the last two years and have completed new plumbing and humidistatically controlled heating. One of the first houses in the country to have electric lighting in 1890, Tyntesfield has also been rewired and now every room boasts electricity.
Thousands of amazing objects and family mementoes which were carefully packed away and moved into storage during the project have also returned.
Meghan Wilton, Tyntesfield’s Acting House Manager explained:
'This colossal project has been a bit like moving house, but imagine a house with over 100 rooms and more than 40, 000 objects, ranging from Victorian cooking utensils and toys to rare and delicate pieces of furniture.
'It’s incredibly satisfying to see all the work complete as we begin to re-present the rooms, evoking the different ways all four generations of the Gibbs’ family used the house. The Main Hall, for example, with its comfy chairs and jigsaw puzzles, recalls its time as a family living room in the 1890s, making it the perfect place to stop off and relax. I can’t wait to see the visitors’ reactions.'
One of the country’s finest Victorian estates, Tyntesfield was saved by the nation in 2002 after a huge fundraising appeal. Through public donations and a grant of £17.5 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund £25 million was raised in 100 days. With further help from the Heritage Lottery Fund to the tune of £20million, Tyntesfield is being brought back to life.
