A 300-YEAR old bed at Erddig Hall has been targeted for specialist conservation work as part of a spring clean at the Wrexham stately home.
The heirloom, which takes pride of place in the State Bedroom, has come under the scrutiny of collections staff who have taken the first steps to renew the conservation work undertaken on the furniture piece in the 1960s.
They have now carefully sent parts of the bed to be reviewed by experts at the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio in Norfolk so it can be assessed how best to preserve the bed for the future.
Furniture and even the wallpaper in the State Bedroom are so delicate that visitors are only allowed to view the room through a glass box placed inside the door.
The bed dates back to 1720, while the Chinese silk wallpaper is around two hundred and fifty years old.
Erddig House and Collections Manager Graeme Clarke said: “The team of conservators has been working over the winter to establish the condition of this rare and special bed and we’re now investigating how best to go about protecting it for another fifty years.
"One thing is clear and that is doing nothing is not an option for us.
"While we are looking into potential fundraising opportunities during the spring, the State Bedroom will remain presented as a work in progress so that visitors get the chance to see some of its previously hidden structure and fabrics for the first time.”
The conservation work is part of a range of works being carried out at Erddig, which reopened for visitors on March 23.
The National Trust-owned stately home's family rooms - which tell the tale of former aristocratic owners the Yorkes and their benevolent relationship with servants and house keepers - are being deep cleaned during opening hours.
Graeme added: "A gradual ‘reveal’ has become essential as our winter closures have shortened. We know our visitors love seeing the in-depth specialist conservation work done by the team, who are always happy to share their trade secrets."
Elsewhere, a new drainage system has been put in place in the Erddig car park to prevent a repeat of last year's spring floods and the Woodland Trust has undertaken "nature-friendly" landscaping work, including erecting hedgerows to ensure parked vehicles blend into the countryside setting.
Erddig General Manager Jamie Watson said: "We had to close twelve times last year due to flooding in the car park which has a massive impact on us, but we are now looking forward to welcoming everyone into an all-weather car park."
Erddig's Hayloft restaurant has also had a fresh look with a blue and dusky pink makeover offering a bright spring blossom look as part of a refit with new ovens, coffee machine and bratt pan also installed.
* As part of its 2019 attractions Erddig staff have created a sensory tree trail so visitors can connect with nature. Tree carving artist Ian Williams has built a series of wooden characters and masks to spot in the gardens and mirrors have been placed to reflect up into the branches so people can learn how to identify tree features.
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