As staff and volunteers dismantled a chandelier at a Norfolk hall they could have been forgiven for thinking about one of comedy television's greatest moments.

But luckily the team at Oxburgh Hall did not emulate the Trotters in Only Fools and Horses as they knew they needed steady hands as they helped dismantle the "Woolies" chandelier.

 

Watton & Swaffham Times: The infamous A Touch of Glass episode that brought notoriety to the show 'Only Fools and Horses'The infamous A Touch of Glass episode that brought notoriety to the show 'Only Fools and Horses' (Image: BBC)
Cleaning the 19th century chandelier was part of a conservation in action initiative, currently being undertaken by the National Trust at the Oxburgh Estate.

The cut-glass chandelier was brought down for a big clean, which only happens once every five years. 

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It is a process that requires methodical work to remove and label all 2,000 crystal pieces. 

It is known as the "Woollies chandelier" by the team, owing to the support of the heir to the Woolworths Foundation in obtaining it.

Watton & Swaffham Times: The 2000-piece chandelier hangs in the Saloon, at Oxburgh Hall, in Norfolk.The 2000-piece chandelier hangs in the Saloon, at Oxburgh Hall, in Norfolk. (Image: National Trust)

Shona Johnston, property curator at the Oxburgh Estate, said that the team has to record any changes to the surface of each crystal, including cracks, chips or crazing, which happens when the glass becomes damaged through exposure to extreme temperatures.

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"Each piece is then dusted with a soft pony-hair brush before being wet cleaned with cotton wool buds," she said. 

Watton & Swaffham Times: Staff and volunteers take extensive care to maintain the condition of the 'Woolies Chandelier' at Oxbugh Estate.Staff and volunteers take extensive care to maintain the condition of the 'Woolies Chandelier' at Oxbugh Estate. (Image: The National Trust)

After a good polish, each of the pieces are reinstalled. 

She added: "The metal frame is also assessed and cleaned, and fresh bulbs are installed. 

"All in all the process is a huge team effort that takes the best part of a week to complete."

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The Oxburgh Estate has been the home of the Bedingfeld family for more than 500 years, and they still live in private apartments within the hall today.

After the demolition of the original Great Hall, the Saloon, where the chandelier hangs today, was built in a neo-classical style on the site of the former kitchen in the 1780s for the 4th Baronet.