AROUND TOWN MEETS
SAVE Britain’s Heritage. SAVE already had plans in place which His Royal Highness; The Prince of Wales had shown interest in.
With her family in London during her High Sheriff year
High Sheriff of South Yorkshire in 2012
During her time in office as High Sheriff, a friend suggested that Julie approach the Newbold family at Wentworth Woodhouse about holding her summer reception there which they fortunately agreed to.
normally give lifetime achievements out as it writes you off as finished,” she laughs.
Nominated by people who she has mentored, mainly fellow women in business, Julie says she is really fortunate to be recognised by so many organisations and is happy that women have more opportunities now.
“I was instantly in awe of the place and knew it deserved to be full of people which sadly it wasn’t. It had been excluded from the community for many years and was in clear need of work which couldn’t possibly be funded by the wealth of private individuals.
“You’re not here long on this world and I want to make a difference as much as I can ”
“You’re not here long on this world and I want to make a difference as much as I can – I just thought the biggest difference I can make in Rotherham is to try and preserve this glorious building and its heritage.”
Julie spoke to the Newbold family about the future plans for the house who put her in touch with Marcus Binney, president of
“They were having a meeting at Clarence House and I’d never been to our future King’s residence so thought I might tag along and find out more. About 20 people were sat around his dining table, all of whom I didn’t know and we had to introduce ourselves to Prince Charles and say why we were there.
“I thought – yikes, why am I here? Luckily I was right at the end and so had time to think. There were all these noble people, sirs, ladies, dukes and senior people from every heritage group imaginable. Yet I had the most important job at that table as I was the only one from our region and so needed to speak up and represent the people of South Yorkshire.”
From that meeting, Julie became a founding member of the board of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and was asked to chair the trust, leading in the negotiation of the sale price and raising the funds for the acquisition and immediate emergency repairs over a rollercoaster four-year period.
Fortunately the hard work paid off and the trust acquired the house last year. Since then, they have hit all of their expenditure targets but now need to keep
“I’ve managed to cut out the weekends to spend time with the family but I’m still negotiating the 40 hours”
fundraising alongside the introduction of a master plan to keep Wentworth Woodhouse alive.
Outside of work, Julie found personal happiness again last year after marrying her partner, Iain, in Florida followed by a blessing at her second home, Wentworth Woodhouse. They say life begins at 60 and with a newly-extended family which now numbers six children and six grandchildren, it may be time for Julie to finally put her feet up and enjoy the fruits of her labour.
“For me, success is not about people trying to match what I’ve done. It’s a very personal thing and you always have to concentrate on whatever it is you want to achieve. I’m so proud first and foremost of my family, then of the volunteering I’ve done, and then of the business I grew.”
One of her proudest
achievements to date was being appointed High Sheriff of South Yorkshire in 2012 which in turn led to her most recent role as chair of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
“When I sold the business, Iain was ecstatic about the prospect of me only working 40 hour weeks and having the weekends off. I’ve managed to cut out the weekends to spend time with the family but I’m still negotiating the 40 hours.”
Friends at Wentworth Woodhouse
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