A burning ambition is realised by the Worsleys (From Gazette & Herald)

A burning ambition is realised by the Worsleys

HISTORIC Hovingham Hall has seen the unveiling of its latest prestigious architectural feature - an imposing, specially designed fireplace.

The new feature in the Ryedale stately home has been designed by the hall's owner, William Worsley, whose family has lived in Hovingham since 1563.

Following completion of major work on the roof and other parts of the imposing landmark, Mr Worsley is now seeking to restore or provide a new feature in the hall each year.

With the help of his brother, architectural historian Dr Giles Worsley, and architect Chris Cotton, architectural features of various parts of the hall, the childhood home of The Duchess of Kent, have been incorporated into the design of the new fireplace in the hunting hall, now used as the tea-room for visitors.

"We designed it to create something which Thomas Worsley, the hall's original builder, would have probably created," said Mr Worsley, who lives at the hall with his wife, Marie-Noelle, and their three children.

The fireplace is the last major work of the York stonemason Dick Reed before his retirement, and was carved by fellow stonemason Mick Needham.

"A great deal of thought and detailing went into the design," said Mr Worsley, who added that the room had now been decorated by Heston James of York.

"It is a striking feature in the room - we intended it to be different," he said.

The hall was originally built as stables and became one of the vestibules off the main Samson Hall.

Other major rooms in the hall have also been redecorated, in some cases for the first time in a century, as part of the family's policy of preservation of the present 18th century hall, the third hall to stand on the site.

Another of Mr Worsley's ambitions is to re-decorate the Ionic Room which boasts Ionic columns and a finely carved mantlepiece.

Currently, work is underway on creating a special numinent room where the family's archives will be stored and which Mr Worsley's father, Sir William, will be working on.

It will also be a reading room, where historic documents can be studied.

In recent months, the entire hall has had a major fire protection scheme carried out as part of Mr Worsley's restoration and maintenance programme.

The hall is open for five weeks each year, and will remain an attraction for Ryedale visitors until July 9.

"The hall is of considerable benefit economically to Hovingham, especially to the various businesses," he said. "But it is very much a lived-in family home."

Updated: 14:46 Wednesday, June 29, 2005