Recent achievements

Structural Repairs at The Folly

Woodsbuild Heritage Ltd repointed the front elevation using hot lime mortar, overhauled roofs, flashings and rainwater goods to the east and west elevations, and repaired chimneys and internal plasterwork affected by water ingress. Renovations enabled new office accommodation to be formed in the North Range.
Completed May 2021
Cost: £93,000 (supported by a Heritage Emergency Fund award from National Lottery Heritage Fund and a Heritage at Risk award from Historic England)

Pendle Stained Glass carried out specialist glazing repairs to the iconic windows on the front elevation of The Folly.
Completed March 2021
Cost: £35,000 (supported by a Heritage Emergency Fund award from National Lottery Heritage Fund)

Improvements to fire safety, including fireboarding vulnerable ceilings and fitting new fire doors.
Completed December 2020
Cost: £10,000 (with generous assistance from Yor4Good)

Essential repairs to the roof of the North Range garage, preventing water ingress and potentially serious damage to the roof support timbers
Completed 2019
Cost: c£28,000

Strengthening the timber frame in parts of the north range.
Completed October 2020
Cost: £18,000 (supported by generous donations from individual donors and the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line)

New catering facilities

Construction of a new kitchen in the North Range garage (former brewhouse) by 2021 Tiplady Darwin Ltd
Completed May 2021
Cost: £100,000 (supported by a Heritage Emergency Fund award from National Lottery Heritage Fund)

Creation of The Folly Coffee House on the ground floor of the north range (previously occupied by a holiday let)
Coffee House opened on 21 June 2017

Relocation of stores

Removal of reserve collections and archives from the Chapel Street store to new on-site storage.
Completed October 2019
Cost: £6,000

Heritage Discovery Centre

New interpretative displays on the built heritage of North Craven and the Ingleborough Dales, designed by Redman Design of Ilkley.
Completed February 2019
Cost: £20,000 (with support from ‘Stories in Stone’ and other YDMT funding programmes)

Heritage Development Officer

Recruitment of an experienced heritage professional to deliver a 2 year programme of heritage activities to increase community and vistor engagement with The Folly and local built heritage.
Completed December 2020
Cost: £63,940 (supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund)

Garden Improvements

Accessibility of the garden improved for use as an outdoor area for the Coffee House, suitable for hosting events.
Phase 1 completed August 2018
Cost: £2,000 (Supported by the Sir George Martin Trust)

Parlour Activity/Meeting Room

Renovation of the Parlour to form an Activity/Meeting Room on the ground floor of the south range.
Opened on 21 June 2017