Roof conservation work going on to prepare historic Holker Hall in South Cumbria for its 2025 opening has uncovered a hidden roll call of local craftsmen going back 125 years.
The surprise discovery in the form of signatures etched into the original lead flashing and a downpipe was made by Holker’s conservation architect Lilian Tuohy Main whilst inspecting the roof structure of the iconic neo-Gothic Hall.
It was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1871 and some of the signatures date back as far as 1899, inscribed by local craftsmen to show pride in their work.
According to Lilian, the older signatures would likely have been from plumbers, as they were specialists in working with lead at the time.
The etchings discovered include two that are over 125 years old, dated May 1 1899 with the names J Simms and Ges Smyman.
Another, from shortly before the First World War, belonged to a Fred Windom.
Holker’s conservation team are appealing to local people for any information they have relating to these craftsmen from the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
The discovery has sparked a public appeal for more information.
Lillian said: “Local trades, whether they were plumbers, carpenters or glaziers were instrumental in first creating then preserving the fabric and beauty of one of England’s finest example of Gothic revival architecture.
“We’d love to know more about their lives to enhance our understanding of Holker’s enduring connection with its local community.”
Local plumber Robert Rhodes was 16 when he first worked at Holker Hall and was told to sign his name on a small area of lead on the roof upon completion of some remedial work in 1983.
More than 40 years later he still helps maintain the plumbing systems in the Hall and on the wider Holker Estate in South Cumbria.
Robert added: “Signing work you’re proud of is a tradition that has been passed down through generations of tradesfolk. It’s a real trip down memory lane to know my signature is still there all these years later.”
