The photograph shows Caretaker, Tony Price, changing one of the many light bulbs in the Castle.

With the new legislation relating to light bulbs due to come into effect later in the year the Castle staff have carried out an audit of light bulbs at Rockingham Castle.  The result reveals that there are a staggering 600 bulbs inside the Castle all of which need to be changed over the next 11 months, no mean task.  Over the years there has been no planning, (and no need to plan), bulb types and fittings leading to there being 9 different styles of the latter.  With this in mind work is now in hand to reduce the number along with sourcing bulbs that are going to fit in with the heritage surroundings.

The new style of bulb is very modern in look, it replaces the design developed by Thomas Edison in 1880 which has remained virtually unchanged ever since.  In recent years bulbs have been fitted, where possible, appropriate to the period of the house.  For example the old kitchen and below stairs area was refurbished in the 1890's therefore the bulbs used are of the non opaque variety.  The problem becomes much more acute with the chandeliers in the Long Gallery where the bulbs are not shaded and very prominent.  At the moment there is no suitable replacement for these although a number of manufacturers are working towards launching a ‘heritage' range of light bulbs.

Andrew Norman Operations Manger said "With this vast number of lights we are changing bulbs on a daily basis.  The new generation of bulb will not only reduce electricity use significantly and in turn save money but also staff time spent changing bulbs as the bulbs last vastly longer".