VOLUNTEERS have been working flat out on renovation work which is bringing one of the Dales' most classic and renowned buildings into the 21st century.

And Dales folk are to get a chance for a close look at the updated Netherside Hall in Threshfield when the Christian charity which now runs it holds an open day on Saturday, November 21.

The former residential school, which closed its doors in 2012, was bought from North Yorkshire County Council by the Liz and Terry Bramall Trust, a charitable foundation which supports the promotion of Christian values, for what is thought to be £970,000 earlier this year.

The hall is now the home of Yorkshire Camps, a group promoting the Christian message, and will host a variety of youth, church and school groups and other organisations for activity holidays.

For the past six months or so dozens of volunteers have been helping to refurbish the hall for when it hosts its first camp at the end of the year.

Yorkshire Camps expects the hall to be running at full capacity by Easter, says leader Andy Peace. The group's small staff has had, he says, "a huge amount of help" from volunteers.

Andy explains: "We have been cracking on with the kitchens and bedrooms - which are now en suite - painting and laying new carpets. There's a whole fresh feel to the hall.

"We couldn't possibly have done so much without an amazing amount of help from many volunteers, who have given of their time and skills so freely. That so many people have been happy to do so is truly an answer to our prayers."

As well as work on the hall itself, much preparatory work has been done to the hall's extensive grounds and woodlands to make it ready for its first visitors.

This has included work on an archery field, installing climbing ropes and an obstacle course, and a climbing wall.

The grounds and woodland will also be used for activities such as orienteering, the teaching of survival skills and various crafts such as baking and wood art.

There are even plans for a crazy golf course, making use of concrete slabs remaining from previous buildings.

On the open day in November, there will conducted tours of the grounds and the hall at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm, followed by a family bonfire with hot dogs and hot chocolate.

On the Sunday there is an invitation-only opening and dedication.

Andy says: "There is still a lot of work to be done but we are getting there thanks to the help of a lot of people.

"We know we are lucky to be able to use the hall and the goodwill and kindness we have been shown by the people of Grassington and Threshfield has been amazing.

"People have also been coming from further afield to lend a hand, which is great. They know we are are trying to get across a Christian message to young people with lots of fun involved too.

"We are really looking forward to meeting people on the open day, when we will be introducing the team and explaining what we do. It will also give us the chance to acknowledge and say thank you for the massive help we have had from local volunteers."

Netherside Hall is a Jacobean-style grade II-listed building set in almost 24 acres of gardens, woodland and grassland on the banks of the River Wharfe, and a sight familiar to generations of Craven folk.

It was a residential school for several decades before 2012 when it was closed by the North Yorkshire council. It was unused until being bought by the Bramall Trust.

The hall was built around 1820 for Alexander Nowel, a businessman who is believed to have made his fortune in indigo dye. He was born in Lancashire in 1761 and joined the British Army in his early 20s, serving in India. He left the Army in 1792 to concentrate on his dye-manufacturing business, before returning to England in 1805. He rented the land on which the hall was eventually built on a lease of 40 shillings (£2) a year and died at the hall in 1842.