Ice House
sits the privy midden; the original toilet which was once used by the Spencer family, with separate doors for boys and girls. Although covered in moss and sheltered by the trees, this area will be cleared and sign posted to give the throne some dignity back.
Another obscure feature is the ice house, a brick built igloo which is frozen from view by the woods. Here, ice from the lakes would be stored for the summer to make ice cream or cool the cold stores in the Hall’s kitchen long before electric
hall to garden. This connection means children can also learn how food goes from ground to plate – digging potatoes straight from the ground to prepare in the Victorian kitchens.
The courtyard outside the volunteer hub will be paved and a new south front entrance made from the arched summer houses which currently conceal the actual entrance.
Privy Midden Toilet
refrigeration. While it is too small to enter, plans are in place to provide photographs and information boards for visitors to see the exquisite bricklaying skills that form the dome. To the west of the Hall, behind the walled gardens, are the old stables which subsequently became the workers cottages. While some of these are privately owned, Barnsley Museums owns two of the cottages which have been derelict since taking over the site in 1957. These quaint listed properties will be renovated and rented out to residents towards the end of the year.
A third building is also up for development, with the walled garden cottage set to become a volunteer hub complete with shop, kitchen and training room. By providing a comfortable base, it is hoped that the museum’s volunteer base will flourish and grow.
The Walled Gardens While the volunteers’ hub gets a makeover, the walled gardens are also set for a charming change to renew the Georgian formation. Although the former kitchen gardens, there is currently no direct access to the Hall itself. An archway will be cut in the adjoining wall to lead visitors straight through from
Inside the gardens, the layout will be transformed dramatically. The 1980s pond will be filled in to create an events space, with seating areas planned in place of the clematis archway and the derelict glasshouse. An original Georgian pond, which is thought to have been filled in decades ago, will be uncovered and dug back out. The second glasshouse to the front of the walled gardens currently houses fruit trees such as peaches and nectarines. But the stand out vine is that of the Cannon Hall Muscat; a 200-year- old sweet grapevine brought back from Greece by John Spencer Stanhope. Grown from a seed, this has become the Mother Vine from which all modern vines have been cut. With the help of volunteers, Cannon Hall are hoping to complete further research into its origins to compile more detailed information for visitors.
Around the walls of the gardens sits the renowned pear collection made up of over 70 varieties, with the oldest dating back 200 years. Research will be done to find the correct names, ages and varieties to ensure they are all plotted properly. Not just fruit, the gardens are also home to a botany of azalea and rhododendrons, with the museum being given specific dendrology funding to analyse the DNA of these woody plants when they flower in May.
Activities at the Park
and Gardens Organised by Parks and Gardens Heritage Officer, Annice Fuller, the project sees a spectacle of well- loved events return. In late summer, the museum will be hosting its annual pear day, with pear themed events and activities based around what to do with pears and fruit such as cider and pie making. Historical re-enactments will also continue to be a roaring success at the visitor attraction.
In addition to these popular events, there will also be a wide range of new activities on offer. By working in four specific areas of interest – archaeology, history, horticulture, and ecology and biodiversity – the team hope that there is something for everyone to get involved with. For those interested in archaeology, there will be the chance to grab a shovel and search for the missing Georgian pond in the walled garden or the plunge pool in the Fairyland.
Children will be able to get involved by joining the young rangers club and taking part in orienteering or outdoor learning classes. For horticulturalists, there will be chance to delve back and discover the history of the many fruit trees in the gardens.
And with sustainability at the heart of the project, visitors will be able to learn more about the environment and the species that call Cannon Hall home through the many ecological activities that are planned.
Exciting opportunities to take part in hedgerow crafts, such as the traditional woodturning skill of bodging or going on a bat walk to discover the six species of bats that roost in the park, will also be on offer.
By offering a host of activities, the project team are aiming to engage every part of the local community and promote the importance of safeguarding our surroundings through restoration projects such as this.
Volunteering
The project team are keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in this fantastic project and in helping to preserve the park and gardens for future generations. Whether you want to gain or enhance your skills, share your knowledge or meet new people, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.
For green fingered gardeners, the volunteer team are always looking for budding horticulturists to join their ranks and help tend to the many plants and trees on site. They are also launching a volunteer pear group for anyone interested in helping prune, graft and look after the fruit trees.
The team are also keen to hear from anyone who would be willing to form a history group to discover more about the Cannon Hall parklands. For more information about volunteering, contact 01226 772002 or email cannonhallparkandgardens@
barnsley.gov.uk
Follow us With all work set to be completed by 2020, keep updated with what’s happening throughout the project
www.facebook.com/CannonHallMuseum
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