VISITORS to Dyrham Park can leave a legacy on the slates of the 17th century mansion by writing a message while donating towards the £3.8 million project safe-guarding its future.


The National Trust baroque mansion in Dyrham, which is undergoing the project to replace its 150-year-old roof and install a new biomass boiler, is offering visitors the chance to leave their name and a message on the slates of the roof while donating towards project.


The sign-a-slate fund raising campaign, which launches this week, asks visitors to donate £25 to write a message, draw on and sign the back of one of the new Welsh slates.


The campaign is being supported by a number of local artists and celebrities, including Bath-based artist Nick Cudworth, Lord Julian Fellowes, writer of Downton Abbey, National Trust illustrator Suzi Brooks, Bristol-based urban artist Luke Jerram and National Trust volunteer and artist John Rodgers.


Nick Cudworth, who has been a keen visitor to Dyrham Park since the 1990s and pasted one of his most well-known depictions of Dyrham Park house onto one of the slates and signed it, said: “Dyrham Park is such a special place for us and this is such a lovely idea. It is great for raising awareness and helping towards the huge cost of replacing the roof."


"It's tremendous to know that will be up there so long. Until now, I've only had temporary exhibitions at Dyrham Park - this is a more permanent addition and I'm thrilled to be part of this."


The project at Dyrham Park aims to safeguard the future of the historic house and its original Dutch-inspired interiors and an important collection of furniture and paintings.


Scaffolders starting working on site in January and the entire project is expected to finish in mid-2016.


Laura Williams, marketing and communications officer at Dyrham Park, said; “By signing one of the slates you will be able to really become a part of Dyrham Park until the end of the 22nd century.


“It is literally leaving a message for the future since the roof will last much longer than anybody signing the slates.”


From May, there will be a chance to go up onto a fully accessible scaffold walkway to see the work taking place on the roof.