A celebrated Sheffield silversmith has forged a precious metal collection to fundraise in memory of Dame Julie Kenny, the local businesswoman who helped save Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse for the nation.
Dame Julie, who died in February 2025 aged 67, led the Preservation Trust which bought the house in 2017, safeguarding one of Britain’s most significant heritage buildings for future generations.
Since her sudden death, the Dame Julie Kenny Legacy Fund has raised over £150,000 to support the restoration project.
Sheffield-born mother of three Julie was a self-made entrepreneur and an inspirational figure across every sector she touched.
Contemporary silversmith Rebecca Joselyn, who has designed for the late Queen and King Charles, was one of many people she supported and encouraged.
Rebecca has now teamed up with Wentworth Woodhouse to launch Be More Julie – a collection of sculptural pieces crafted in sterling silver and gold plate, in aid of the Legacy Fund.
It includes a dainty pin brooch and a series of sculptural vases, each shaped like a gift bag, engraved with the Be More Julie strapline and destined to become collector’s pieces. Prices range from £195 for the brooch to £3,400 for the largest statement piece, a 35cm-high bag vase.
Rebecca, a Sheffield Hallam metalwork and jewellery graduate, is renowned for creations which elevate disposable and everyday items into pieces of lasting beauty.
She created a silver watering can for the Coronation of King Charles, one of her silver sardine tins was commissioned for the late Queen’’s Platinum Jubilee and another was snapped up by Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher.
“I was honoured when Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust asked me to create the Be More Julie range,” said Penistone-born Rebecca. “Julie touched my life and the collection will be raising money for the house she loved so much.”
The two women first met at Goldsmiths North, the annual contemporary silverware and jewellery show held at the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield, which this year runs from June 5-7.
Rebecca co-founded the event in 2019 and arranged for one of its talented artisans to create a silver model of Wentworth Woodhouse for Dame Julie.
The silverware and jewellery specialist later gifted one of her silver bag vases to a fundraising auction at the mansion’s Black Diamonds Ball and was commissioned by Iain Hall, Dame Julie’s husband, to make a vase for his wife.
On becoming only the second woman in 400 years to serve as Master Cutler of The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, Dame Julie entrusted Rebecca with the creation of her Master Cutler’s Year Piece.
Said Rebecca: “She wanted a symbolic piece to represent women in manufacturing. Together, we came up with the idea of a solid silver gift bag containing a silver soldering iron and circuit board, everyday items at her globally-successful company Pyronix in Rotherham, which manufactures electronic security equipment.
“We discovered we had similar South Yorkshire working class backgrounds and life stories and we became friends.
“Just before I started her commission, though, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. But I was determined not to let her down.”
Between surgery and chemotherapy treatments, she would head to the quiet of her workshop at Sheffield’s Yorkshire Artspace, pouring not only her skill but her strength into the precious metal piece.
“Julie was ever-supportive with me throughout. She was a strong, kind and positive woman and the Be More Julie motto aims to encourage others to follow her example,” said Rebecca. “ I strive to ‘be more Julie’ by mentoring young and aspiring silversmiths and jewellers, supporting charities and advocating for the precious metalworking sector.”
Rebecca is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and judges its annual ‘Jewellery Oscars’. She is also a Freeman of the Cutlers’ Company in Hallamshire and is on the executive board of the Sheffield Assay Office.
Sarah McLeod, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said: “Julie’s legacy fund continues her mission to save and restore our Grade I Listed country house and she would be extremely proud of the Be More Julie collection.
“Rebecca Joselyn represents female excellence in silversmithing; her talent and integrity resonated strongly with Julie. These two women carved their own paths and shared a commitment to preserving the past while shaping the future.
Rebecca will be crafting pieces to order. For an order form, email campaigns@wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk or call 01226 351161.
PRICES:
Silver business card-sized bag with gold-plated chain handles, £850
Medium-sized silver bag (12cm x 14cm) with gold cord fabric handles, £1,550
Pin brooch with gold-plated chain handles, £195
Large bag vase (17cm x 20cm) with gold cord fabric handles, £2,700
Tall bag (11cm x 35cm) with gold cord fabric handles, £3,400
