January 31st, 2025

Earlier this week, Guild volunteers who work in the Shop and take the Trolley round the wards were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Great Hall and view the ongoing restoration work.

Will Palin, Chief Executive of Barts Heritage, hosted two groups from the Guild, the first consisting of Guild volunteers (image above, L-R) Jackie, Antoinette, Lorraine, and Mandy with Will in the middle of the group. During the tour, Will explained the various stages of the multi-million pound‘Sharing Historic Barts’ renovation project that will secure the future of the Hospital’s North Wing.

Repair and restoration of the 302-year-old building has been made possible by a grant of £5.3m from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, plus donations from the City of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund and the charity sector, including the Guild, and donations from individuals and families. A full list of supporters can be found here.

Guild volunteers saw the amazing restoration of the magnificent chandelier that hangs above the Hogarth staircase, learned about the intricate work that’s been undertaken offsite on the Charter Window and ascended the levels of scaffolding inside the Great Hall to get a close-up view of the refurbished ceiling.

Our thanks to Will and his team for the opportunity to visit the work before it’s completed this summer. When the building reopens, the public will, for the first time, have the opportunity to tour the Grade I listed North Wing and see for themselves the splendid Great Hall and Hogarth staircase in all its glory.



Guild volunteers (L-R) Anna, Danny, Steve, Monique. Russel, and Yan with Will Palin (centre, orange hi-vis) high up inside the Great Hall.