Special trans-Atlantic trip to visit historic stately home

AN American couple with South Yorkshire ancestors have given a trans-Atlantic boost to fund-raisers at Wentworth Castle Trust.

Meagan Wentworth and her husband Mitchell, from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, had been in contact with the Trust earlier this year as they attempted to trace their family tree.

Mitchell believes he has connections with the Wentworth family who lived at Wentworth Castle in Stainborough, near Barnsley.

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Fund-raisers at the stately home have launched an emergency 2.5 million appeal to save the Grade II-listed building’s Victorian glass and cast-iron conservatory, which is in danger of total collapse.

And as soon as Mitchell and Meagan heard of the appeal they jumped on a plane and travelled thousands of miles to see the place for themselves and make a donation.

The trip coincided with Mitchell’s 40th birthday and included a guided tour of the gardens, culminating with a visit to the conservatory.

Meagan, whose husband made a $200 donation to the appeal fund, said: “We have always wanted to visit and Mitch’s family has a connection with the English side of the Wentworth family.”

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Mitch added: “We were bowled over by the beauty of the gardens and hope all the folks will come up and make a donation to save the great conservatory.

“It’s an awesome building and it’s such a shame it's in a bad way, but I am sure we can raise the cash to save it. So much fantastic work has been done here already.”

Trust fund-raising officer Paul Johnson said: “We are extremely grateful for the support of Meagan and Mitchell and thank them for their generous donation towards the conservatory appeal.

“It’s not every day you get a donation in person from someone who has travelled from the other side of the world!

n To ‘sponsor a pane’ or make a donation log on to www.wentworthcastle.org or call 01226 776 040.