A CENTURIES old Jacobean hall in Padiham is to close while essential conservation work is carried out.

Half a million pounds will be spent renovating 415-year-old Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, which will be closed for the rest of the year.

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A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “Essentially the building work will include the repointing of the south and west side of the hall, as it has deteriorated over time.

“The windows on the south and west side will also be repaired.

“The stonework has also corroded in places and is damaged.”

The Huntroyde Bedroom, which features a carved oak bed dating back to 1650, also suffered some water ingress around 10 years ago.

This was repaired but left stain marks, which will also be dealt with.

Expert conservators are expected to be drafted in, once contracts are signed by county council officials.

The announcement came as a community group that exists to help care for the historic building appealed for new members.

The Friends of Gawthorpe Hall have published a new leaflet in the hope of attracting helpers to raise funds for the building.

Museum assistant Alistair Cooper said: “The group supports the work the hall does. They fundraise and have social events, and the leaflet to publicise that so more people are aware of it.

“There are about 60 members and the group has been running for over 40 years, since 1973, so this has been going for a long time.

“They always need more people to help support it and to keep the group going.”

The Friends of Gawthorpe Hall group raises money to support the hall’s famous textiles collection, originally started by Rachel B Kay-Shuttleworth, as well as the building and the grounds it sits in.

Members receive several benefits, including free admission to the Jacobean house, the chance to meet curators, staff, and to take part in organised events, reduced fees on other events, the opportunity to take part in talks, visits, and events, and a periodical newsletter.

The hall’s collection of lace, embroidery and textiles, one of the finest in Europe, will be stored away for safekeeping while the conservation work is carried out.

The National Trust said: “Affectionately referred to as the ‘Downton of the North’, Gawthorpe Hall was redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, designer of the Houses of Parliament and the ‘real’ Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle.”

Membership starts from £10 per year.

For details call 01282 771004, email gawthorpehall@lancashire.gov.uk, or write to the Membership Secretary, Friends of Gawthorpe, Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham, BB12 8UA.