Lifeline given to popular Mid Ulster visitor attractions

The National Trust carried out consultation on the future of Springhill House at Moneymore and Wellbrook Beetling Mill near Cookstown.

They said that following feedback from staff and volunteers, from spring next year, Springhill House will remain open, while at Wellbrook Mill they will take forward their plan to offer pre-booked tours on fewer days.

“We will also be reopening the car park at Springhill soon to allow access for walkers during the winter months. We will continue to keep the situation under review as circumstances change longer term,” a Trust spokesperson

said.

She explained that their plans aim to give people “an enhanced experience, with more chances for engagement and interaction”.

“Like so many local organisations, our charity is facing significant financial challenges due to the pandemic,” she continued.

“During lockdown and while a number of our staff have remained on furlough, we have prioritised essential maintenance and conservation tasks in our gardens – such as watering rare plants, monitoring pests and weed control – to make sure they don’t deteriorate.

“Lawns have been cut less frequently than usual and hedge pruning delayed. Despite not being able to carry out our usual levels of maintenance and planting, we have kept our gardens in a good condition and visitors will still enjoy the parkland when they visit.”

Ulster Unionist Party Councillor Trevor Wilson welcomed the Trust’s decision. Councillor Wilson, who voiced concern about the future of both properties last month, said : “”I welcome the news that the National Trust have stepped back from their original plans to close Springhill and Wellbrook and that they will now be open 50 and 10 days respectively from next spring. “While this is not ideal given the present circumstances, it indicates the future commitment to the return of a

full service.

“A number of people have expressed concerns about the declining state of the gardens and grounds but the Trust have reassured me that steps are now been taken to address this.”

Councillor Wilson added that while he fully appreciated the difficulties that the Trust and other charities find themselves in at this time, it is important that every effort is made to “ensure that we do not lose such invaluable assets”.

Springhill House was built in 1680 and now houses a collection of period costumes dating from the 18th Century.

The property is perhaps best known for the ghost of Olivia, a benign presence who is particularly fond of children, often choosing to appear to the youngest in the house.

Most sightings seem to take place during the day, and she has been seen walking through the house, or standing quietly on the stairs.

Wellbrook Beetling Mill, near Cookstown, is the last working mill of its kind in Northern Ireland and is currently celebrating 50 years since it first opened to the public following extensive renovation by the National Trust.

Beetling is the final process in linen manufacture, using mechanical hammers to beat a distinctive sheen on to the cloth.

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