Volunteer Steve is a Heritage Hero

Steve Ash’s newly-learned film-making skills won him a Heritage Heroes award in insurer Ecclesiastical’s annual prize-giving.

His national win is in recognition of his role in Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s Digital Project, telling the story of the stately home’s revival through dozens of films about the trust’s people, places, aims and achievements.

Steve assembled a team of 20 WWPT volunteers and used a portion of an Emergency Grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to pull the films together, even though he had no prior film-making experience or technical skills.

The volunteer, of Anston, has contributed over 2,000 hours to the project and has also created virtual tours, events and digital games.

“It’s a real honour to receive this award,” he said.

“It reflects the hard work and dedication that the whole team has put in. I’m genuinely excited to see where our digital adventure takes us next.”

The preservation trust’s YouTube channel officially launches this summer.