 Trees had invaded the building, dislodging the roof; the main timbers holding the building up were rotting and needed replacement; a retaining wall had collapsed inwards; and the water wheel, while still sound, was embedded in the mud.The work took eight years—much longer than the original estimate of three, although large donations of money paid for many interior fittings which had not been taken into account.Three staircases, the board cladding on the inside walls and the wooden floors were all renewed, and all windows were refitted to their original design.