Oakwell Hall given £19,000 refurbishment

The Elizabethan manor was given a £19,300 revamp following a donation from Birstall-based paint firm PPG.

Volunteers from the firm carried out structural repairs to a chimney in the west wing of the house and redecorated the lobby area, main staircase and parts of the first floor.

The revamp took place while the BBC filmed its new drama ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’ at the hall.

Heritage manager Eric Brown said: “It has given the hall a new lease of life. The walls, ceilings and floor boards got really worn down.

“These are the first things you see when you go upstairs and they let the place down but now it looks fantastic.”

PPG donated the cash through its new grant scheme, which gives money to worthy organisations near its bases.

The funds have also helped to create a full, varied programme of events at the site for the summer.

PPG’s Veronica Horsfall said: “We are delighted to support such an important local historic landmark.

“Oakwell has strong connections with our workforce and it is particularly pleasing