People often wonder what we get up to here at Burghley during the winter months when the House is closed to the public.  Well, amongst other things we spend time looking after the extensive collection with the help of the many external experts, some of whom are based here in the conservation studios  in the Stable Courtyard.

This week a large oak table in the north hall has returned to the house following a joint conservation project involving our Stone and Furniture conservators. The marble top had failed and the joints of the table were loose.

The table joints were dismantled and reglued in the Furniture Conservation workshop by Rupert Stevens and the two parts of the marble top were rejoined and reinforced by Rob Fogel. A solution then had to be found to managing the weight of the complete stone top to make it possible to lower the top back into the table recess.

With help from Mel Lake, our maintenance manager and John and Nick from the gardens department (who often get roped in for lifting heavy things!) the top was lifted onto a pneumatic pallet truck and safely lowered into position.

As with many projects here at Burghley, no man is an island, and the whole team from Conservators through the Gardeners swing into action to help restore important pieces of the collection.