Heritage hobbies and crafty careers

Historic England and Hopwood Hall Estate's new videos could inspire you to take up heritage skills in 2024.

Thanks to Historic England, Hopwood Hall Estate has been able to offer some exceptional on-site heritage skills training – both to members of the public and to those wishing to enter the profession - thereby passing down knowledge of essential and at risks skills to  younger generations as well as offering a wonderful new and rewarding hobby to all ages. Hopwood Hall will continue to offer future classes and workshops to the general public.

So, to help get everyone enthused, three videos have been created and are being released exclusively across Hopwood Hall Estate and Historic England's YouTube channels this week showcasing what’s on offer:

 

 

 

 

The renovation of Hopwood Hall Estate which is Grade II* always uses the protocols and methods of repair determined by skilled craftspeople to ensure that this incredible property will endure for generations to come. 

Since 2017, Hopwood DePree who is spearheading the restoration of his ancestral home, Hopwood Hall, has been creating short films about the ongoing rescue efforts and posted them on his YouTube channel to keep everyone updated.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Historic England on the restoration of this amazing building. 

“Without their generous support it wouldn’t be possible. 

“Together we are releasing YouTube programmes about the heritage skills being put into practice at the Hall to reach as wide an audience as possible and hopefully introduce those who aren’t yet familiar with heritage skills to this fantastic art.

“I have had so much fun learning them myself. With a growing number of viewers who say that they like to ‘binge watch’ multiple episodes of the rescue mission, we hope that these three episodes that give an insider’s glimpse of our challenges and successes will provide some fun viewing pleasure during the Christmas season ‘down-time!”

He added: “If as a result of watching you too would like to take part in future workshops at Hopwood Hall Estate on heritage skills, please email us Office@HopwoodHallEstate.co.uk to register your interest. It’ll be wonderful if you’d like to sign up and could provide a new hobby for 2024.”

 

 

Hopwood’s YouTube channel has received over 2.5million views.

Sophie Norton, sector skills manager at Historic England, said: “The shortages of heritage skills in England make it difficult to repair our historic buildings. We need people to support the sector by learning these skills. The Hopwood Hall videos show just how enjoyable and rewarding this can be, with heritage crafts experts, trainees and local people  all eagerly taking part in the rescue of this ancient and beautiful building. 

“We were thrilled to hold a Heritage Building Skills Summer School at the Hall. It's a fascinating and thoroughly appropriate setting to learn heritage skills. It's great that the doors will be open in 2024 for more training - it really is a unique opportunity for people to get involved and learn a new skill.”