English Heritage Volunteer Focus Issue 20

VOLUNTEER FOCUS Together we’re making a difference

2022 ISSUE 20

Revealing the Romans Hear about the archaeological dig at Richborough Roman Fort

HAVE YOUR SAY We explore the survey results

INSIDE: Project profile | Why I love... | Spotlight | Round up | News and more...

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WELCOME

Hello and welcome

On the cover: Uma Prince, volunteer at Kenwood.

We have lots of interesting articles and news stories to share with you in this issue. It’s been a great year for volunteering and that really shines through – from Buildwas Abbey Bookshop to the choughs at Dover Castle, volunteers have been achieving so much and making a huge difference.

In this issue's PROJECT PROFILE articles, on page 16 we hear from volunteers about their experiences at the Richborough dig, and on page 28 we learn about the working life of an 18thcentury gardener at Audley End. In WHY I LOVE... on page 24 we discover why Byland Abbey is such a special place and in our NEED TO KNOW section on page 30 Tanya Lines, our new Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, tells us all about her role.

Finally, in HAVE YOUR SAY on page 26 we learn more about the results of the volunteer survey.

As always, we look forward to hearing your ideas for the next issue.

Lynne Baybut, Assistant Editor Volunteer

If you’d like to contribute to the next edition of Volunteer Focus or if you have any feedback on this issue, we’d love to hear from you: volunteerfocus @english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ volunteer 0370 333 1185 If you’d like this document in a different format, please contact: 0370 333 1181 customers@english-heritage.org.uk Assistant Editor Lynne Baybut Article Editor Jemma Braidwood Lewis Designer Bronwen Reeves The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England.

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CONTENTS

REGULARS

F E AT U R E S

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RO U N D U P Projects from across the country

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P RO J E C T P RO F I L E

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N E E D TO K N OW

Richborough Roman Fort Learn about Fuse, our online portal

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H AV E YO U R S AY

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P RO J E C T P RO F I L E

30

N E E D TO K N OW

Volunteer survey results An Audley End gardener's diary Equality, diversity and inclusion

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C H A R I T Y U P DAT E

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NEWS

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News from the Chief Executive Find out what’s been happening

WE DID IT! Creating a bookshop at Buildwas Abbey

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A DAY I N T H E L I F E

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W H Y I LOV E . . .

Castlerigg Stone Circle Minster Lovell Hall

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W H Y I LOV E . . .

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S P OT L I G H T

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OV E R TO YO U

Byland Abbey Volunteer illustrators We want to hear from you

C H A R I T Y U P D AT E

An update

from Kate Mavor

An overview of our work and achievements.

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s you receive this issue, sites up and down the country are busy gearing up for the peak summer season and many of you will be helping to welcome visitors, sharing stories, tending the gardens and much, much more! Thank you all for the vital support that you give to the charity – by sharing with us your time, skills and enthusiasm you make a real difference to our work.

I’m delighted that we have more volunteers than ever. Over 1,200 new volunteers started with us last year, and more sites continue to launch volunteer programmes. And we’re not just offering roles at our sites, offices or collection stores – new roles such as translation volunteers have been advertised for those who wish to support us remotely.

Transforming visitor experiences In the last couple of months, we’ve welcomed visitors back to Clifford’s

New roof deck at Clifford's Tower offers magnificent views over York

Tower in York and Marble Hill in west London following projects to conserve them, retell their stories and transform the experience for visitors. At Clifford’s Tower a free-standing timber structure has been installed, protecting the tower and creating a new roof deck offering magnificent views over York. New interpretation introduces the tower’s long and turbulent You make history and critical conservation work a real has been carried difference out to safeguard it for the future. to our The project work to revive Marble Hill has seen the Palladian villa conserved and represented and its lost pleasure garden reinstated. We’ve also improved access and facilities across the park, from the play area and the café to the sports pitches and changing rooms. This major transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local community and a team of over 250 volunteers who helped make it happen.

Sharing our past, shaping our future In March we set out our ambitions for the charity and the key priorities for the next three years in our Strategic Plan 2022–2025. Many thanks to those of you who contributed and I hope you’ve had a chance to look at this on Fuse or

watch the presentation from our Senior Management Team. With your support, we’ll continue to provide people from all backgrounds with inspiring and enjoyable opportunities to explore England’s past.

The incredible sites and artefacts in our collection will continue to receive expert care, and we’ll continue to involve as many people as possible in our work.

As the charity recovers from the impact of the pandemic, we’re working hard to make sure we get on a sustainable financial footing in the not-too-distant future. When you read the plan I also hope that you see how committed the charity is to becoming a more equal, diverse and inclusive organisation, and that we’re taking important steps to respond to the climate emergency.

This magazine is full of stories that show your passion, expertise and dedication, and I’d like to thank you for all that you do. It fills me with great confidence that as well as continuing to give millions of people fantastic days out, we’ll also do work that will strengthen communities, safeguard more of the nation’s heritage and inspire future generations in new and exciting ways. ■

GET INVOLVED To find out about current volunteer opportunities across the country, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteer

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NEWS All the latest news and notices from across English Heritage.

Interior of Coxon’s Tower by volunteer photographer Brian Morris

Heritage open days

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ast year we launched costumed storytelling projects at Boscobel House and Bolsover Castle – both of which have gone down well with volunteers and visitors alike. This year it is the turn of Audley End House and Kenilworth Castle.

The splendid new costumes include a playing card, a nursery gardener and a collector at Audley End (concepts are shown above), while at Kenilworth Castle we are joined by a bear with a ragged staff, a lady in waiting and a jester.

These characters will spark conversations and imaginations, adding a fun new element to the visitor experience and bringing history to life for visitors of all ages.

SHARE YOUR NEWS We’d love to hear from you by email at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk

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n celebration of Heritage Open Days, volunteer teams across the country facilitated the opening of previously unseen areas at their sites and properties.

At Derwentcote Steel Furnace, volunteers welcomed a total of 70 visitors across two days. Visitors enjoyed a series of guided tours as well as a handling collection containing objects relating to the history of Derwentcote. A visitor subsequently commented that Derwentcote is a ‘really interesting little place with super knowledgeable guides who bring it all to life’.

In Berwick-upon-Tweed, English Heritage worked with the Berwick Heritage Open Day committee to deliver a series of events. With the support of the volunteer team we were able to open rarely seen areas such as New Tower, the Gunpowder Magazine and Coxon’s Tower.

The event was a great success and comments from visitors included the event being full of ‘such friendly people’ and ‘stunning history’.

Get 25% OFF at English Heritage shops and cafés with your pass or quote code EHVT673 to receive the discount in our online shop.

NEWS

A BIG DAY OUT

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n September, volunteers came together from as far and wide as Castlerigg Stone Circle in Cumbria and Derwentcote Steel Furnace in County Durham to enjoy a volunteer picnic at Corbridge Roman Town.

Aside from an assortment of packed lunches and brownies, volunteers also enjoyed a behind-thescenes look at the on-site collections store, led by Dr Frances McIntosh, curator of Hadrian’s Wall and the North East, and collections volunteer Vicki, as well as an enthralling tour of Corbridge Roman Town, delivered by volunteer guide Neil Irving.

The day was jam-packed with interesting snippets of Corbridge history, including Neolithic rock art and Roman water fountains.

From left to right: Helen Chester, Sandie Chester and Penny Edwards

Carlisle celebrates Cumbria Pride

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n September 2021, Carlisle Castle was filled with music, celebration and multi-coloured flags as Cumbria Pride made its in-person comeback. This is an annual event promoting inclusivity and equality within Cumbria for LGBTQ+ communities, and English Heritage was proud to be part of such a wonderful day.

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Volunteer Pass

DON’T FORGET

Pride flag flying above Carlisle Castle

Your volunteer pass allows FREE ENTRY for you, one other adult and up to six children (under 18 years and in the family group) to all English Heritage managed properties. To book your visit online quote code EHT2022. english-heritage.org.uk 7

ROUND UP

FROM WORMSTONES TO

WORK EXPERIENCE This year, our volunteer teams continue to go from strength to strength. Find out more about what some of the teams have been up to.

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Main image Work experience trainee Josh Reynolds outside Battle Abbey Left Work experience trainee Henry with Battle Abbey volunteer Robert Above The abbey gatehouse

WONDERFUL WORK EXPERIENCE James Witcombe, operations manager at Battle Abbey, tells us about a work experience scheme which proved to be valuable for everyone involved.

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attle Abbey has teamed up with willingness to learn. They took real pride Sussex-based charity Little Gate in what they were doing and especially Farm, an organisation that helps in representing English Heritage. adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism get into work.

Team work In 2021, five trainees joined the It’s fair to say that some of the trainees Battle Abbey team on work experience. were nervous when they started but Louis, Josh, Ryan, Henry and Thomas the Battle team quickly made them feel were keen to learn more about working at home. The work experience involved at a historic site and develop their working closely with the abbey’s Meet independence and communication skills. and Greet volunteers who did an The whole process amazing job supporting all of was designed to give the trainees throughout their This experience placements. The volunteers were them a real flavour helped me of working for able to guide the trainees, giving English Heritage, them hints and tips on how best increase my including a to engage with different visitors confidence with and how to help them make the pre-placement interview, of their visits. speaking with mostThere induction and was lots of work to the public on-the-job training. be done in the grounds too, ensuring that the battlefield, Meeting and greeting abbey ruins and even the car park were While at Battle Abbey, the trainees looking their best. The trainees got to undertook a variety of tasks encouraged grips with litter picking, cleaning signs, by their Little Gate Farm job coach, weeding and raking leaves. Their efforts who helped them learn their role and were not lost on the public: as Josh said, adapt to the new workplace. One ‘it felt really good and rewarding to be of their main jobs was meeting and recognised by visitors for all the hard greeting: offering a friendly welcome work I had put in.’ to our visitors, helping them work the The whole team of volunteers and audio tour and showing them where to staff really enjoyed getting to know go. Each one of the trainees came with the trainees and staff from Little Gate a fantastic attitude, work ethic and a Farm and they really became part of

the team. It wasn’t all hard work – the trainees also got to appreciate some of the ‘perks of the job’ such as exploring behind the scenes in some of the areas not regularly open to the public, including the Abbot’s Hall with its magnificent 18th-century painting of the Battle of Hastings.

A valuable experience for all The most satisfying aspect for everyone involved was helping and encouraging the trainees to develop. As Louis said, ‘this experience helped me increase my confidence with speaking with the public, and now I can open my opportunities to customer-facing roles in the future.’

The partnership has been really valuable for each of our five trainees, and everyone involved at Battle Abbey.

Perhaps it can best be summed up

by Ryan: ‘it was a really enjoyable experience, staff were great, the visitors were really friendly, and I didn’t feel stressed at all. My favourite part of this work experience has truthfully been all of it!’ ► FIND OUT MORE For more information about Little Gate Farm visit their website at www.littlegate.org.uk

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ROUND UP

NEW INTERPRETATION PROJECT AT DOWN HOUSE Kristyna Silvova, senior gardener, explains how the team hope to engage with visitors in new ways.

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arlier this year a new Down House garden interpretation project was launched to create another way of sparking the interest of our visitors.

It consists of five interactive posts positioned throughout the grounds, and an interpretation hub inside the glasshouse laboratory.

Each post is dedicated to one specific experiment, thought or observation which is then summed up in an informative brief description and accompanied by botanical drawings from Darwin’s notebooks, examples of his handwritten notes, interactive games, a microscope peephole or even a quiz.

Weed garden and the survival of seedlings This post explains how Darwin marked and counted all germinated and all perished seedlings, demonstrating that

The weed garden post

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only 20 per cent of them survive this early developmental stage and grow into mature plants.

Wormstone and the power of earthworms The Wormstone was developed by Charles and his son Horace to assess the effect of earthworms on the movement of soil and landscape. They designed a millstone with a measuring device to precisely monitor the sinking of the stone as a direct result of the worm activity and production of worm casts – a natural fertilizer.

Heterostyly in primroses and cowslips The word heterostyly describes different forms of flowers within a species: more specifically, different lengths of their reproductive organs. Darwin wasn’t the first scientist to notice this – even his own children knew about it – but he was the first to define the reason and purpose of this intriguing variation.

Cross-pollination of hollyhocks Darwin knew little about genetics and heredity at this time, but he was able to observe the results of the sexual reproduction of plants. Double hollyhocks were puzzling him: how come they don’t carry mixed traits from both parents but always look like either one of them? The answer was provided by Johann Gregor Mendel hundreds of miles away but Darwin never had the opportunity to learn about it. If only...

Clover and bumble bees This one may sound like a fairytale, but it actually explains how Darwin used the example of clover, bumble bees, mice and cats to demonstrate the co-evolution of plants and animals, the interaction of species and the food chain law.

The second hotspot for the interpretation of Darwin’s observations is found inside the glasshouse laboratory.

This room was built by Darwin in 1881 with the intention to use the space for further scientific research. Today it serves its purpose as a working potting shed as well as a home to a colony of honey bees in our observation beehive.

In August 2021, as a part of the interpretation project, this room was redecorated and more interactive panels were put up on the walls to enhance the visitor’s experience.

Once the installation was completed, our volunteers took part in a training session where they shared ideas on engaging with the general public.

We focused on how to intrigue our younger visitors and encourage them to look around, observe and discover for themselves. As the next generation who can make a real difference to our planet, we believe they are worth all the time and effort and that we must try our best to show them the beauty the natural world possesses.

ROUND UP

WELCOMING THE CHOUGHS BACK TO DOVER CASTLE Visitor assistant Gavin Wright shares how he has supported the reintroduction of this historic bird.

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n 2021 we saw a milestone in the work that the castle had been doing in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood (a local centre for British and European animal species). We were helping with a project to reintroduce the iconic red-billed chough to the Kent landscape around us. A public engagement aviary was installed on the clifftop next to the First World War fire command centre and signal station.

History and legend This beautiful bird with its glossy black plumage and sealing-wax red bill and feet was, we know from historical records, once common on the Our clifftop landscape, visitors feeding on insects in the closely cropped were also turf. About 200 fascinated years ago they started to disappear by the from Kent and many birds other parts of the United Kingdom, probably due to persecution by humans and changes in agricultural practices.

There are lots of historical and literary connections between this species and Kent and Dover in particular.

Henry II rebuilt Dover Castle in the late 12th century after his own knights murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, in the nearby cathedral.

According to legend, just after the murder an ordinary crow flew down from the cloisters to dip its beak and feet in the blood of the saint – and so the first chough was born as the spirit of the dying saint! It’s thought that Dover Castle was built, at least in part, to impress pilgrims to Becket’s tomb, which is suggested by the creation of the beautiful Becket Chapel in the Great Tower. In King Lear, Shakespeare describes the choughs wheeling around the cliffs of Dover, looking as small as beetles because of the staggering drop below.

Engaging and charismatic birds Our aviary was installed in a suitable part of the castle with advice from properties curator Roy Porter to ensure no damage was done to archaeology in the area. In August, four young birds, bred by Wildwood that spring, were brought in, and the fun began. I teamed up with my colleagues Viv, Tony and James to provide daily care, feeding, cleaning and training. Like all crows, choughs are engaging and charismatic

Tony Colla gets friendly with one of the choughs

with big personalities and we loved the work. More importantly, our visitors were also fascinated by the birds and we recruited a dedicated band of outside volunteers who came to explain the project, the birds and their connections with Dover and the castle to the public.

We are all looking forward to continuing to be an important part of this project for years to come. ■ FIND OUT MORE For more information about reintroducing the chough in Kent visit www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

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WE DID IT!

Buildwas Abbey Bookshop Volunteers in Shropshire have been busy transforming a disused ticket office into a second-hand bookshop.

Lead volunteer Wendy Pitchford tells us about the project.

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uildwas Abbey is a beautiful site in the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, so I jumped at the chance to lead a team of volunteers to renovate the disused visitor ticket office and turn it into the first bookshop at a free-toenter site. Having previously enjoyed the exciting times volunteering on the Iron Bridge during the conservation work, I had no reservation in accepting this new challenge.

The renovation An initial team of five volunteers started ripping out the interior and painting the inside and outside of the hut previously used as a Members’ ticket office. This was under the guidance of another Iron Bridge volunteer, Bryan Street, who fortunately had all the relevant DIY and health and safety knowledge. My home became an Amazon depot and book store, and within five weeks we were able to start recruiting more volunteers at an on-site recruitment day picnic. We were fortunate that the weather was perfect during the renovation.

Meeting with each volunteer enabled 12 english-heritage.org.uk

me to understand why they wanted to volunteer, their expectations in volunteering and what support they expected from me and English Heritage.

This helped me find the role they would be best suited to and happy with. In addition to running the abbey bookshop, we're also meeters, greeters, and explainers of the history of the abbey.

Confidence, knowledge and friendship It has been important for me to be able to keep in close contact with English Heritage staff and our brilliant team at Buildwas Abbey – a WhatsApp group proved the perfect solution. It has been invaluable to me for problem solving and the occasional cheerful ‘off-piste’ chatter. Personally, I have gained so much more confidence, knowledge and friendship than I ever thought I might after retiring over five years ago. I look forward to meeting and greeting many more volunteers and visitors at Buildwas Abbey and the bookshop in the future, and I thank English Heritage for the opportunity and support they have given me.

I have gained so much more confidence, knowledge and friendship

WE DID IT!

Volunteer Andrew Duckworth explains his role in the bookshop.

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he headline 'Bookshop volunteers wanted’ shouted out to me one day last summer as I was scrolling through Facebook. I read on eagerly. I’d always wanted to own a bookshop, but life, two children and 38 years of teaching had always got in the way. OK, it wasn’t ownership but the next best thing: setting up a second-hand bookshop at picturesque Buildwas Abbey near Ironbridge in the beautiful county of Shropshire, a county to which I had retired only two years ago.

I applied there and then, and after an informal interview with Ginny some days later I was on board.

Many people, but principally Ginny, Emma, Wendy and Bryan, turned the tired kiosk into a space full of books. Yours truly completed a bit of decorating and helped in the construction of a few bookcases.

Opening day The transformation complete, we opened in September, my volunteering day being a Tuesday.

It wasn’t the brightest day of the year and if you know the gorge you know that means dark.

As I opened up, the rain, already heavy, intensified and my first day was literally a damp squib as I locked up again, went home and went for a long walk instead. Visitors: 0, book sales: 0. Never mind I thought, there are lots of Tuesdays coming up.

Subsequent Tuesdays have dawned dry and brightish. There have been visitors of the two-legged and four-legged varieties. I’ve met some interesting people from all over the country and further afield.

I’ve heard life stories, family histories and even sold a few books. My own history knowledge has improved and I can speak knowingly(ish) about the abbey, and I tell everyone how wonderful it is, but they soon discover that for themselves.

A tranquil and atmospheric site At this time of year the autumn colours are a glowing kaleidoscope. The birdfeeders are popular with flashes of colour from the blue tits, great tits, robins and nuthatches prominent and the less colourful but quirky wrens also feeding.

Buildwas Abbey is a wonderful site, peaceful, tranquil and atmospheric. I’m sure next spring and summer visitors will flock to our bookshop and sales will really take off. It’s been a great effort by all those involved. I enjoy my day there chatting to visitors, passing on my knowledge to them but also learning from our visitors; that’s really what it’s all about, I think, preserving our heritage and lifelong learning for all, so here’s to my (a man can dream) little bookshop. ■

Left and below Buildwas Abbey Above The former ticket office, now home to the bookshop Right Wendy and Andrew

I’ve met some interesting people from all over the country and further afield

FIND OUT MORE For opening times and more information, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/buildwas-abbey

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A D AY I N T H E L I F E

THE MYSTERIES OF

THE STONE CIRCLE Visitor survey and explainer volunteer Joanna Dancer updates us on a very busy year at Castlerigg Stone Circle.

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ecent lockdowns and restrictions have led to unprecedented numbers of visitors travelling to enjoy the Lake District. Many found their way for the first time to Castlerigg Stone Circle, just outside of Keswick in the North Lakes.

This free-to-enter site is jointly managed by English Heritage and the National Trust, with a team of four English Heritage explainer volunteers on hand to help with information for the visitors.

The circle The stone circle is one of the oldest in the country, and thought to be about 4,500 years old – older than Stonehenge. It shares many features with the stone circles in Ireland and others in Cumbria, with minimal

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origins and purpose. It is dated as late earthworks and a simple slightly Neolithic or early Bronze Age, and was elliptical outline of upright unfinished natural stones taken from the local one of the very first listed monuments landscape, albeit brought here as in 1883. It was described by Keats eskers from nearby Borrowdale by the as merely ‘a dismal cirque of Druid glaciers of the last ice age. While stones, upon a forlorn the circle itself is beautiful in its Many visitors moor’ and was the simplicity and virtual entirety subject of a few early feel a spiritual engravings, but very of 39 or 40 stones – depending upon how you count them, connection little was recorded of it before its formal listing. there seemingly is never the to the stones Excavations at that same number twice – it is famed time revealed little of for its magnificent and dramatic its past except some undated charcoalmountain setting on a low rounded type material within the sanctuary summit within a 360-degree panorama section – a stone ‘inner sanctum’ on including Skiddaw, Blencathra and the eastern side of the circle.

Helvellyn among others.

So why was it built and what was it used for? A meeting place certainly, but A mysterious site there is little to link it with any formal As with many ancient monuments, worship, except perhaps a Langdale there is some mystery surrounding its

A D AY I N T H E L I F E

stone axe head, dated to about 500 years later than the circle itself.

It was uncovered in the 1885 Victorian excavations and is now in Keswick Museum. Was it brought here for a purpose? Was it used in ceremonial worship? Was there trading of goods here? Was someone very careless and left it behind? We may never know. As for potential intentional celestial and geographical alignments, there is much discussion, but the jury is largely still out.

Telling the stories Alongside my fellow volunteers, Clare, John and Craig, we have been busy helping to tell the stories of the stone circle to visitors from far and wide, trying to answer the many questions that arise and learning from visitors who make great efforts to visit stone

circles across the country – and know far more about them than we do! We have been well supported by Sophie Hearn, our local territory volunteer manager, with online tutorials from English Heritage historians, and we share any new knowledge about the circle and other local prehistoric sites with each other.

Visitor surveys from 2021 showed it was the simplicity and beauty of the site which is greatly valued, with many repeat visitors feeling a spiritual connection to the site and many with

happy memories of past family trips.

Towards the end of the year, we hosted some local primary school groups who came to the site after visiting Keswick Museum, and Clare and I kept them busy counting the stones and looking for clues about the past. It is a magical place for all ages, whether you visit for the ancient stones or the views – the combination offers a unique and memorable experience, free to all and all year round. We are looking forward to another busy year ahead. ■

FIND OUT MORE Discover more about Castlerigg and its history at www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castlerigg-stone-circle

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PROJECT PROFILE

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PROJECT PROFILE

REVEALING THE ROMANS

English Heritage’s Gateway to Britannia project incorporated a research excavation at a Roman amphitheatre, which was an important milestone for Richborough. ►

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PROJECT PROFILE

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he hugely significant Roman town of Richborough now lies nearly 2 miles inland in east Kent, but in Roman times it was a coastal site on the edge of the North Sea. It is widely believed that this is where at least part of the Roman army landed to begin the invasion of Britain in AD 43.

Exciting excavations Much work was undertaken to secure funding and expertise and, despite delays, work began in September 2021. The amphitheatre began to give up its secrets, with numerous finds of artefacts, pottery, jewellery, coins, bones, and the skeleton of a cat. Possibly most significantly, we uncovered part of the arena wall with its carcer (a holding cell for people or

It was a privilege to be allowed to join the excavation with the professional archaeologists.

Welcoming total novices wholeheartedly, they helped us learn techniques and happily answered all our very basic questions. I have great admiration for archaeologists; they do a difficult, valuable job – without doubt for love rather than money. Thanks to Tony Wilmott for my personal stratigraphy tutorial on a rainy day.

Rafi, excavation volunteer

This project, from the beginning to the discovery of the amphitheatre wall, was fascinating – a wonderful experience with so much learning. To meet and observe such hard-working professionals whose expertise and dedication was inspiring. The excitement as the arena wall was uncovered was palpable and a triumph for the archaeologists. I was so grateful for this opportunity to be a guide and enjoy the excitement and enthusiasm of the visitors. A once in a lifetime experience.

Lorraine, explainer volunteer

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animals) and traces of its painted surface.

Exceptionally committed Volunteers first recruited to Richborough during May 2019 were embedded from the start and became an exceptionally committed part of the team. Further recruitment raised numbers to 13 by September 2021, building knowledge, sharing, and supporting each other. As part of the Action Plan for the Heritage Lottery funding they became either volunteer excavators or volunteer explainers, enhancing their knowledge and expertise and passing it on to community groups and the public.

Here are some reflections from just a few of our volunteers.

This experience gave me a wider appreciation of the amphitheatre, its history and the people who would have competed and watched there; the carcer was the highlight for me, together with evidence for burned-down buildings, which left such a dramatic impression in the land. The project increased my confidence in dealing with larger groups.

We were a team skilfully bound by Serena, our manager.

Alex, explainer volunteer My head thought this opportunity was fabulous, my body thought it was a disaster! Happily, after the first few days I got used to the hard labour.

The team were welcoming and happy to pass on their knowledge. It was a privilege to be on the dig, to be there when the arena wall and the cat were discovered, to see the painted walls and the carcer. In the compound we learnt how to clean bones then there was flotting to do!

There was a lovely warm atmosphere on site which was down to Tony. He built a team who wanted to be there, work hard, and get the best from the soil of Richborough.

Sue, excavation/explainer volunteer

I'm grateful to English Heritage for giving me the opportunity to work with the Historic England team. They willingly gave their time and expertise which made the experience for me a memorable one. I was also asked to lead the amphitheatre on-site tours.

This was a big commitment over four weeks, however the positive feedback from the public made this a truly rewarding time for me.

Dave, excavation/explainer volunteer What an amazing experience it was to be part of the team undertaking the excavation of the amphitheatre. As the dig progressed, more fascinating discoveries were uncovered revealing the story of this huge Roman site. The arena wall, the fresco paint, a carcer and perhaps most amazing for me, a piece of graffiti on a wall! During lockdown, I had read about the excavation of the amphitheatre by the Victorian archaeologist William Rolfe. Then one day in 2021, revealed on the wall of the carcer, Rolfe’s mark and the date ‘1849’!

The site has now been covered but what lies beneath is etched in my memory.

Jenny, explainer volunteer

Previous page the English Heritage and Historic England team at the dig This page, clockwise from centre The arena wall and a carcer can be seen in the centre of this image; Project volunteers Jenny Wall (left) and Amanda Turner (right); one of many Roman coins discovered; the skull of a cat that died sometime in the 4th century AD

The excitement as the arena wall was uncovered was palpable and a triumph for the archaeologists We were happy to roll up our sleeves and set to work on the numerous mud-encrusted finds, armed with toothbrushes, toothpicks and bowls of cold water.

The Romans’ dietary fondness for meat was apparent in the mass of animal bone excavated and washed.

However, many lovely sherds of Samian tableware, Oxford Ware mixing bowls and ceramic building material also passed through our numb fingers. Our contribution did not end there, whilst ‘flotting’ Dawn found a fourth-century personal clothes pin, with green glass head; one of the ‘star finds’ of the excavation. The professionals and volunteers quickly formed a close team, making even the chilliest and wettest of days warm and friendly.

Dawn and Chris, excavator volunteers

Thank you!

I am so proud of my team, and with exciting times ahead I feel confident that much can be achieved thanks to their passion and commitment.

Serena Partridge, Site Manager What a relief that archaeological digs cannot be completed over Zoom...

The joy of the Richborough project was the face-to-face interaction.

Everything was ‘in person’ and we were valued as members of the team, with the opportunity to experience how much it meant to share a technical and specialised operation with members of the public. Visitors of all ages and languages were visibly excited and moved by their visit to the site of the exposed amphitheatre; it was a privilege to be invited by English Heritage to help facilitate this.

All members of Historic England and English Heritage were so positive and open in the desire to share knowledge with everyone. I am enormously grateful for the open-mindedness of the project planners that truly value the benefits that volunteers can bring and receive from their involvement in these fascinating events.

Debbie, explainer volunteer

Two thousand years on and the impact of time removing almost all visible evidence of human occupation, to appreciate Richborough you need to exercise your imagination. As a volunteer guide, I encourage visitors to do just that. The dig created a window into a lost world. You could clearly see the structure of the Roman amphitheatre, last seen in 1849 and now again in 2021. What a privilege, shared with visitors, who clearly were amazed by what they saw. The dig has allowed the Richborough story to become better understood – clarifying the site and its significance through the entire period of Roman Britain. Based on my dig experience, my commentary to future visitors will be enhanced.

A once in a lifetime opportunity, and I was there.

Mark, explainer volunteer

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PROJECT PROFILE

DIGGING AT RICHBOROUGH Archaeology student Evie Kelly tells us about volunteering to help with an excavation.

W

hen I volunteered to take part in the excavation of the Roman amphitheatre at Richborough, I didn’t believe I would be accepted. An opportunity like this for anyone is incredible, but as an archaeology student with an interest in Roman archaeology in particular, this was life changing . With support from staff and volunteers, I began my digging experience.

I was so enthralled by the rich history of Richborough that I asked to stay on as a volunteer

Top Jasmin Godmon enjoying the dig Centre Richborough Roman Fort Left Dave Ralph explains the dig

FIND OUT MORE Discover more about the history of Richborough Roman Town and its amphitheatre at www.english-heritage.org.uk/richborough

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Working together The volunteers for the excavation were split into groups of three for two-week slots. I was part of the volunteering team at the beginning of the excavation. The professional archaeologists welcomed us, offering lessons in many aspects of their work outside of just digging. I was able to experience elements of environmental archaeology and expand my enjoyment of finds cleaning and processing. While excavating I was guided in techniques they had mastered over their careers, developing skills for my own hopeful future.

I was lucky enough to work on many areas of the site and witness the project as it unfolded, including seeing the first section of arena wall and working on the same area, next to its incredibly rare evidence of painted plaster. In my time excavating with the team I was fortunate to find my own share of artefacts, including a coin dating to the 4th century AD, pottery from the 17th century (indicating the layers of ground we were digging in), many Roman nails and a large amount of animal bone.

When my time excavating was over, I was so enthralled by the rich history of Richborough that I asked to stay on as a volunteer. In this time, I assisted with tours from the Roman fort up to the amphitheatre, absorbing the information provided by the guides and specialists on site.

My journey continues Although I left Richborough during its remodelling, my journey with English Heritage has not stopped. My luck continued with being offered a volunteering role at St Augustine’s Abbey. As at Richborough, I felt immediately at home, and was welcomed by everyone at the abbey. I am thoroughly enjoying learning about this site and developing my insight into the extensive history of Kent. The volunteers around me are passing on gems of wisdom and teaching me new valuable skills that will follow me through my career.

I would like to thank everyone at Richborough and St Augustine’s Abbey that I’ve met along the way for giving me these unbelievable opportunities and helping me develop skills and knowledge I will keep with me for the rest of my life. ■

WHY I LOVE ...

VOLUNTEERING at Minster Lovell Hall

Graham Kew grew up in the village of Minster Lovell and enjoys sharing his local knowledge with visitors.

M

y name is Graham Kew, I am 79 years of age and am a volunteer at the free-to-enter site of Minster Lovell Hall in Oxfordshire.

I spent my childhood in the village and over the years became a fanatic for local history. In 2001 I opened a village museum in my picture framing workshop in order to save local artefacts which could have been lost, and over the past 40 years have produced pictorial maps, two films and three books on Minster Lovell.

My local bookshop has stopped stocking local interest books so becoming an English Heritage volunteer has enabled me to pass on my knowledge of the site and village directly to visitors when I get them to fill in a questionnaire.

Sharing our village history Our village is steeped in history. The magnificent church and manor house were built by William Lovell in the 1430s

and more recently, the Charterville estate was built by Feargus O'Connor in 1847 to encourage people to return to the land and grow their own dinners!

As part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to repair the roof of St Kenelm's Church, a Norman Grade I listed building, funds were set aside to convert the north transept into a visitor centre to encourage more of the local community and outside visitors to visit and support the church to save it becoming a festive church, only open for weddings and funerals.

Plans for the future The Friends of St Kenelm group plan to work closely with English Heritage to provide guided tours, offer refreshments and generally make the visit to Minster Lovell Hall a far more enjoyable experience. I have been taking visitors around St Kenelm's and the ruined manor for many years and lived and breathed the two tragic stories

Graham Kew

associated with it – the Mistletoe Bough and Sir Francis Lovell's disappearance after the Battle of Stoke. I love to give my version of the stories and authenticate the facts and tell my audience the current state of play.

In 2022 I plan to be active in my role as a volunteer and hope to visit other sites and definitely stay at some of the holiday cottages.■

GET IN TOUCH We’d love to share your story. Get in touch at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk

english-heritage.org.uk 21

NEED TO KNOW

FUSE We share some advice for new users getting started with Fuse.

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ast year we launched Fuse for volunteers, which is our platform for collaboration and social learning with English Heritage. Fuse lets us share training materials, internal updates and useful resources in an accessible way, as well as providing a space to join the English Heritage social community where you’re able to engage with the organisation and other volunteers from around the country.

While using Fuse isn’t mandatory, we do encourage you to sign up because it will soon become the main location for sharing information and training. If you’d like to start using it then a great place to familiarise yourself is by looking through the ‘How to Fuse For Volunteers’ topic within the English Heritage Volunteers community, which includes guides to getting started and FAQs.

Fuse volunteer Lisa Carter shares some advice for getting started with Fuse.

A

s part of my role of a Fuse volunteer, I check the queries inbox and look at any questions that might have cropped up, and either direct them to the person who can deal with them or sort them out myself. I have also started planning some ‘in person’ workshops, so that volunteers can bring their own devices in and use Fuse with the reassurance of having me with them. This should hopefully make people a little braver when they are exploring the platform.

Sharing information I also volunteer at Dover Castle. I am based in Henry II’s Great Tower and I have been astounding visitors with my knowledge for the last five years. I think the most useful part of Fuse is that you can share information. As English Heritage is spread across the country, we don’t get a chance to meet up with other volunteers who are interested in the same period of history as we are. So being able to upload articles, links and photos to Fuse gives us the ability to head into the search bar, and pretty much travel the country without leaving our armchairs.

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Have a good look around I think my best advice is to just click on things and be nosey.

One of the best things I was told about Fuse was ‘you can’t break it’ (by Jemma) so don’t be afraid, head on in and have a good look around. I’d suggest attending one of the How to Fuse workshops as well – they are really friendly, safe spaces.

My best advice is to just click on things and be nosey

NEED TO KNOW

Nigel Foxall tells us about his volunteer roles and why he thinks Fuse is such a useful tool.

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s a Fuse support volunteer I cover the Fuse enquiries inbox on set shifts along with the other members of the team. I usually cover one or two shifts a week answering and processing queries from Fuse users, many of which relate to accessing the system. The Fuse support team also have a WhatsApp group that we use to communicate with each other and share information. We also provide the Fuse support workshops to explain the system to users.

Fuse is a great tool for keeping in touch with what’s happening across the charity

What Fuse has to offer volunteers Here are just some of the benefits of being connected on Fuse.

Engage with other volunteers and staff The English Heritage social space is open to staff and volunteers, creating a large community where you’re able to interact with people all over the country who share the same interests as you. Use this space on Fuse to ask questions of curators, or find out what it’s like volunteering at our sites across England.

Learn more about the history of our sites We have a collection of online talks, led by both staff and volunteers, available on Fuse. Ranging from the history of our Roman forts to an in-depth look at some of our properties’ most famous residents, the Online Talks Library is a great place to start if you want to use Fuse to learn about English Heritage’s sites.

Learn more about the organisation Fuse is our central location for uploading communications and plans for the organisation. Within the English Heritage Volunteers community you can find our strategic plans, video messages from our Chief Executive and other important updates.

Fuse has expanded my knowledge I also volunteer at Boscobel House and the Royal Oak in Shropshire as part of the visitor team explaining the story and history of the site to visitors. Boscobel is a small site on the edge of the West Midlands conurbation and it’s a small group of staff and volunteers, but it’s really fun and enjoyable. With Boscobel being a smaller site, Fuse is a great tool for keeping in touch with what’s happening in the larger organisation that we are all part of, especially things in my region. The ‘My Learning Plan’ part is really useful to keep skills up to date and especially relating prior knowledge to how English Heritage works.

For me, Fuse has expanded my knowledge of the portfolio of places in the organisation, many of which I did not know were part of English Heritage. Like many volunteers I completed the 2021 volunteer survey, so it’s great to be able to see the results from the survey and the learning being taken forward.

Convenient and accessible Whilst I use Fuse on my iPhone and iPad, which is great for convenience and makes the system accessible, I prefer to view Fuse on my desktop computer most as it gives you a much broader view of what’s available on Fuse, and new updates. ■

NOT ONLINE? You will still be able to access essential training and communications. If you have any questions about this, please talk to your volunteer manager.

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WHY I LOVE ...

PEACE

AND SERENITY Sam Macfie tells us why Byland Abbey is such a special place.

I

seems to stand in the shadow of these n the late autumnal light the honey two great abbeys. It is less well known colour of the limestone of Byland and receives significantly fewer visitors Abbey perfectly complements the but those who take the time to get to seasonal colours of the leaves on the know Byland are repaid well for their trees covering the hills to the north. The efforts. The hordes who visit Fountains great western wall glows in the weak are absent at Byland: having nine car afternoon sun and the lower arc of the parking spaces does have its rewards! destroyed wheel window leads to a When on site, the ruins dominate the turret pointing heavenwards, the cross eye. There is little to compete with on its peak standing defiantly against them so it is not hard to become the destruction below, enveloped by the spirit of the wrought by a jealous king I love its place. Occasionally the cry of a half a millennium since. The shadows lengthen and lead profound bird of prey, circulating above, can be heard, as a bonus. New visitors the eye down the nave over sense of frequently express their delight the pavement of tiles to at discovering the majesty and the ‘bare ruin’d choir where peace size of the remains, which are not late the sweet birds sang’. apparent from the road. Many who Beyond the ambulatory wall, visit have done so often before and the patient inhabitants, in their second not infrequently voice their preference sleep, peacefully face the east awaiting the day of their saviour’s glorious return. for unassuming Byland over the two other shining lights. They have grown to understand the special qualities of Unassuming Byland Byland. Children love the abbey, not just Byland was one of the ‘three shining because it is a place to explore, they lights of religion in the north’ similar are inspired to ask questions and learn in size and prestige to its cousins, more about the story of Byland.

Rievaulx and Fountains, but today it

PLAN YOUR VISIT If this has inspired you, then you can find out more about guided tours of the site at www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/byland-abbey

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Learning about the ruins The little museum to the south of the abbey is much appreciated for its lack of patronisation in the way the exhibits are displayed and described. The stone capitals are so perfectly executed and preserved that they look as though they were carved yesterday. The items in cases all have stories to tell. The first thing to see on entering the museum is the beautiful model of the abbey as it was in the late monastic period which helps to make sense of the layout of the ruins. On the way out are two fine but simple tomb covers which were excavated from the church.

All these things and more I love about Byland Abbey but most of all I love its profound sense of peace.

St Aelred of Rievaulx said of his monastery, ‘Everywhere peace, everywhere serenity and a marvellous freedom from the tumult of the world.’

I could not say it better. ■

WHY I LOVE ...

Main image Byland Abbey Far right and below The abbey's museum Centre Sam Macfie

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H AV E YO U R S AY

SURVEY RESULTS A summary of your feedback from our volunteer survey.

L

ast autumn, we invited you to take part in our volunteer survey to tell us about your experiences.

We shared the findings in January but wanted to take the opportunity to look at them again and share some of the actions we’ll be taking. We are delighted that so many of you shared your views.

Your thoughts You’ve been very positive about many aspects of your volunteering experience which we’re so pleased to hear.

However, you told us that there are areas that we need to improve and we’ll be taking a close look at these as part of our forward plans.

Areas to celebrate We're encouraged by the improvements that you have reported about how we care for you and your experiences.

Some key highlights are shown below.

Areas to explore Your answers helped us to identify key areas for us to focus our efforts on.

They are: Equality and Diversity While many of you told us that you feel a sense of belonging, of the a number commented 2,340 people on where we who actively need to improve your experience. volunteer We will work completed the to ensure that volunteers are questionnaire a key element of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, starting with essential information and training.

42%

Highlights

92%

would recommend English Heritage as a good place to volunteer (5% increase from 2019)

85

its volunteers (14% increase from 2019)

80%

feel English Heritage demonstrates by its actions that it cares about its volunteers (17% increase from 2019)

79%

said English Heritage gives a high priority to volunteer welfare and health and safety (13% increase from 2019)

78%

consider English Heritage provides effective support to its volunteers (8% increase from 2019)

% think English Heritage creates a sense of belonging amongst

26 english-heritage.org.uk

Communication You shared how much you’d like more two-way communication opportunities, to have clear feedback options and receive timely responses to ideas and issues raised. Nationally we’ll be reviewing the guidance and support we provide.

Feeling appreciated and recognised You expressed a desire for more staff to acknowledge volunteers, to address issues with passes, facilities and uniform.

So we will conduct a review of how we recognise volunteers and revise guidance on budgeting.

Improved induction and training We will devise a full development programme based on your role.

Volunteer management development We are developing ways to better support volunteer managers in specific areas of their role such as addressing challenging behaviour and we are extending our management training courses.

What next?

We circulated reports on results from individual teams (this was only possible where there were five or more respondents) to volunteer managers in January 2022 and have asked them to share these local results with you.

Working together, staff and volunteers should explore their findings and develop action plans.

H AV E YO U R S AY

Main image Kenwood House Volunteers Kathleen Morrison, Kane Chu, Denise Sealy and Uma Prince Above Marble Hill garden volunteer Henry Kakooza Right Flo Brookes with young visitors at Stonehenge

Thank you for this valuable insight into your experience with us

Thank you We’re encouraged by the positive and constructive feedback you’ve given us.

Thank you so much for all that you do and we look forward to continuing to work with you to improve the volunteer experience we offer as we embed your feedback into our plans. ■

GET THE FULL PICTURE You can read more about the survey results by visiting our Fuse pages at www.englishheritage.fuseuniversal.com/topics/12357

english-heritage.org.uk 27

PROJECT PROFILE

A Gardener’s Diary 1795–1798

Audley End House

Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Audley End, we have recently acquired the diary of Thomas Challis, an 18th-century gardener.

Our garden history volunteer, Susan Jellis, tells us about it.

T

homas Challis (1777–1845) was born in Cambridgeshire and worked at Audley End as a young man from 1795 to 1798.

English Heritage had already obtained the 1870s diary of the young Audley End gardener William Cresswell and published it in 2006 as Diary of a Victorian Gardener: William Cresswell and Audley End, but this handwritten book took the story of the kitchen garden back another 80 or so years into the late 18th century. The kitchen garden had been enlarged by Sir John Griffin Griffin (the ‘Lord Howard’ mentioned in the extract shown on the opposite page) in the 1770s, and had a somewhat old-fashioned ‘Green House’ with a slate roof, which was more like an orangery.

It has now been replaced by the Vine House.

There was also a wall of lean-to glasshouses, which have all now gone. The diary brings it to life with its record of daily tasks throughout the year.

An 18th-century diary of garden work is a rare thing and an exciting acquisition. Transcribing it helped me survive the dark days of last January and February’s lockdown. I am usually a garden history tour guide at Audley End, but that activity was off limits for a long time.

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From Cheveley to Standlynch The book, titled ‘Thomas Challis His Book 1792’, begins with a timeline of Thomas’ career, moving from place to place as was usual to gain experience. Starting in 1792 he worked at Cheveley Park in Suffolk from whence he came to Audley End. From 1798 Thomas worked in nurseries and other estates in East Anglia until 1802 when he moved to London, again working in nurseries, some well-known, such as Lee and Kennedy in Hammersmith. In October 1804, Thomas was employed in Billingbear Park as gardener to Lord Braybrooke, who also owned Audley End. By 1809 Thomas was gardener at Standlynch Park, Wiltshire, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. Standlynch, later known as Trafalgar Park, was from 1814 the home of Lord Nelson, older brother of Admiral Horatio Nelson, and his heirs.

Work dun at Audley End Thomas’ diary lists ‘Work Dun at Audley End’ (mainly on cucumbers and melons) and separately ‘Work Dun at Audley End in the Kitchen Garding’, virtually day by day from

An 18thcentury diary of garden work is a rare thing and an exciting acquisition

PROJECT PROFILE

December 1795 to February 1798.

Every week he notes ‘Sunday’ (when no work is indicated) – apart from this and the very occasional ‘whet day’, only Christmas Day and once a year in March a ‘Farst [fast] Day’ appear to be work-free. In 1796 Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, so that was the only day off.

Good Friday was a work day and 19 December 1797, marked as Thanksgiving Day (a national day of celebration for the naval victories of that year), was nevertheless also the day for pruning the currant bushes. Apart from on a Saturday in September, when he notes, ‘my dear sister Hannah was buryed’, there is no personal information recorded – and he still has ‘od Jobs’ (such as weeding or cleaning seeds).

This reticence contrasts with William Cresswell’s diary, which often mentions William’s social activities and personal views on things.

Asparrowgus and mursherooms Apart from the personal note about Hannah, the diary is restricted to indicating when activities such as sowing, potting, planting and pruning (especially of the ‘spalyar’ [espalier] and wall fruit trees) took place, with a large range of fruit and vegetables being grown, including ‘harty Choaks’ [artichokes], ‘Asparrowgus’ [asparagus], ‘Skirrets’, ‘Schorznary’ [scorzonera] and ‘Salisfia’ [salsify] – Thomas’ spelling is erratic and can alter several times in as many lines, sometimes phonetic and sometimes standard. Making hot beds, pits and ‘mursheroom’ beds was an important

and regular activity, accommodating the repeated successional sowings in frames and under glass to provide a continuous supply of produce throughout the year.

A pot of cucumber seed was planted on 28 December 1795, the seeds came up on 31 December and the first cucumber was cut on 30 March. Also in March: ‘Gatherd the first dish of french beans that was raised in the Greap [grape] house. Cut a brace of pine appels out of the rose house.’

The first melon was cut in June.

No tomatoes, however.

Daily duties Thomas was responsible for flowers as well, sowing ‘tender anuels’ on hot beds and potting on seedlings: ‘Potted of Sum Cocks combs and sum bolsoms and plunged tham [them] in the tan in the rose house’. On 13 February he gathered the first rose in the rose house; carrying roses in to force was a regular activity.

Filling the ice house up on the hill with ice was another routine chore, as was mowing the ‘Mount Garding’ and the ‘Elyzon Garding’ [Elysian Garden] – both still need mowing to this day.

The interaction of the garden and the inhabitants of the house gets only an occasional mention: 11 July Gathering of rasberys [raspberries] and Curands [currants] for the housekeeper for Jams 10 October Gathering of Elder burys [elderberries] for House Keeper 13 April Loaded the wagon to go to London 18 April Our family whent to London

Entry from Thomas Challis' diary for 16th June 1795

'I Whent to Live at Lord Howards under Mr Aram the Gardner at Audleyend' The actual diary covers about 64 pages and the rest of the book is filled with copies of gardening treatises on the cultivation of vines, pineapples, and various fruit trees, snippets of general advice such as planting potatoes in a field plus some recipes for making mead, ‘English Champaign’ from gooseberries, and currant wine among others.

A fascinating time capsule For those interested in 18th-century gardening, or kitchen gardening generally, Thomas Challis’ diary is a fascinating time capsule of his years working at Audley End at the start of his career and the end of Sir John Griffin Griffin’s long period of moulding the grounds to his personal vision. I was very pleased to make his acquaintance and delve into the garden activities of an earlier age. ■

The kitchen garden today

Thomas Challis' diary

DISCOVER MORE Find out more about the gardeners who worked at Audley End by viewing the history pages at www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley

english-heritage.org.uk 29

Our aim is to try and make our sites more accessible for all visitors

Telling the story of the black Caribbean prisoners of war at Portchester Castle in Hampshire

30 english-heritage.org.uk

One of the Painting our Past project artists, Chloe Cox, with her painting of Arthur Roberts

Children on a Discovery Visit at Carisbrooke Castle

NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO and how you can get involved

Our new Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Tanya Lines, talks about why she loves EDI, her first impressions of English Heritage and about the exciting things planned for the whole charity.

W

ho better to ask about equality, diversity and inclusion than Tanya Lines; with 18 years' experience she certainly knows her stuff.

so welcoming, helpful and keen to learn about EDI. There is genuine enthusiasm and support from senior teams to support the agenda and a willingness to do things differently to bring about positive change – which is music to my ears.

At what point did you decide that equality, diversity and inclusion was a career for you?

What’s going on with equality, diversity It was not planned at all; I just really and inclusion at the moment? enjoy learning about other people.

We are making good, steady progress: I'm fascinated with why people think our strategy launched in May 2021, Kate and behave the way they do, and how Mavor chairs an EDI steering group and our life experiences shape that. we’ve launched a new BAME network.

I love travelling to different countries, And there have recently been some immersing myself in different fantastic projects that bring cultures, so it seemed like a different perspectives to There is a great fit.

England’s history, like Painting willingness In my early life I worked our Past, the Speaking as a volunteer teacher in to do things with Shadows podcast and Malawi, as a holiday rep the Liberty and Lottery differently to exhibition at Brodsworth in Spain and Tunisia, and in the call centre of Virgin bring about Hall. Shout Out Loud, Mobile. I took a Master’s in our youth engagement positive occupational psychology, and programme, has done a then became an equality, brilliant job of encouraging change diversity and inclusion officer young people to engage with the police. As soon as I with heritage on their terms. started, I knew this was the job for me.

We have also created an EDI calendar I loved how dynamic, exciting, rewarding on Fuse, hosted Lunch & Learn sessions and challenging it was – and I am still and created guides about inclusive working in EDI 18 years later. language and recruitment.

We need to carry out more Now you’ve been here for a few research to help us find out about months, what’s your impression the key issues we have to address. of English Heritage?

I also want to provide opportunities for In terms of sites, visitor experiences, everyone to share more about what education offers, roles and expertise, it matters to them, and to share tips and is so diverse, eclectic and inspirational. ideas on what we each of us can do to The people I have met so far have been play our part.

Tanya Lines

What can we all do to support?

Telling me what you think is a great start. There are plans to run interactive sessions so people can learn about EDI, but also share their views of what we could do more on in this area, so do watch out for them.

In the meantime, think about our strategic challenges on attracting and welcoming a more diverse audience.

What could we do differently to help people feel like they belong? What might you already have tried that you could share with others? And finally, take advantage of all the activity already happening and learning you can catch up on, such as the live (and recorded on Fuse) EDI Lunch & Learns earlier this year, where we held discussions and shared knowledge on what LGBTQ+ History Month and International Women’s Day means to us. ■ GET IN TOUCH If you have any suggestions, ideas or stories of what’s already worked, or want to get involved in the BAME network, please email Tanya.Lines@english-heritage.org.uk

english-heritage.org.uk 31

S POTLIGHT

DRAWING ON INSPIRATION

Sam Riley

It has provided the opportunity to develop my skills productively

Illustrator volunteer Sam Riley gives us an overview of the skilled work which he and other illustrators have been doing.

I

'm part of the team of free site illustrator volunteers which was established in summer 2021. We've been busy since then creating spectacular works showcasing the castles, abbeys and furnaces of the north. Amongst other things, our work has featured on the annual volunteer Christmas cards, and will soon feature more permanently in regional volunteer communications.

Enjoying the challenge As an illustration volunteer for English Heritage, I have been able to use my love for drawing and design, knowing that I’m putting valuable work back into an organisation that has always provided so much inspiration and enjoyment for me.

I was so happy to find the advertisement for an illustration volunteer because it has provided the opportunity to develop my skills productively by engaging with English Heritage remotely, meaning I have been able to fit it in alongside my university studies. Pursuing a career in heritage is my dream, and being able to connect with others working and volunteering in the area has only fuelled that desire even more.

The challenge of illustrating a wide variety of landmarks and monuments in different styles and mediums has been really enjoyable, and I can’t wait to see where my volunteering will take me next. ■

GET INVOLVED Find out more about this and other roles at www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteering Byland Abbey by Sam Riley

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OVER TO YOU A dedicated space for you.

YOUR IMAGES Here are some more of the fantastic photos you have taken at the sites you have either volunteered at or visited.

We love seeing your photos, so please continue to share them with us via the English Heritage Volunteers’ Facebook page.

Sheila Bowles, tree at Audley End

Edelgard Chivers, Windmill Tump Long Barrow, Rodmarton

Tracey Pastor, Wrest Park

Keith Kellett, Stonehenge

Antony Divey, Wrest Park

Lisa Carter, Dover Castle

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED Don't forget to check out our English Heritage Volunteers’ Facebook group. It's a great space for you to connect with others. Over four hundred of you have joined and everyone's welcome to come and be part of the friendly conversation.

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP Katheryn Bird, Egglestone Abbey

Log into www.facebook.com and search ‘English Heritage Volunteers’, click on ‘request’ to join the group. english-heritage.org.uk 33

OV E R TO YO U

TEA BREAK CROSSWORD Stonehenge volunteer David Tovey has created another crossword for us to enjoy.

(Answers below)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

10 11

12 13

15

16 19

20

21

23

24

25

26

27

Across 2. Agreement or treaty (4) 4. Soldiers (6) 8. Wide road (6) 9. Declare (6) 11. Done openly (5) 12. Musical instrument (4) 15. Every one of one or more (4) 16. And so on (3) 17. Close (4) 20. Dull pain (4) 21. A scrap of paper (5) 24. Number (6) 25. Attaches muscle to bone (6) 26. Nothing (6) 27. Solely (4)

Down 1. Here tonight, go tomorrow (4,4) 2. Make believe (8) 3. Division of a country (6) 5. A place frequented on holiday (6) 6. Unlock (4) 7. Collections of items (4) 10. Smash (7) 13. Weekday (8) 14. Pupils (8) 18. Alcoholic drink (6) 19. Away to the rear (6) 22. Public school (4) 23. Country (4)

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Please send us your letters, photos, puzzles, quizzes, jokes or anything else you’d like to share.

Email us at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk

34 english-heritage.org.uk

Answers: Tea break crossword Across 2 Pact; 4 Troops; 8 Avenue; 9 Assert; 11 Overt; 12 Harp; 15 Each; 16 Etc; 17 Shut; 20 Ache; 21 Shred; 24 Twenty; 25 Tendon; 26 Nought; 27 Only.

Down 1 Stay over; 2 Pretence; 3 County; 5 Resort; 6 Open; 7 Sets; 10 Shatter; 13 Thursday; 14 Students; 18 Scotch; 19 Astern; 22 Eton; 23 Peru.

22

14

17

18

Visitor volunteer and tour guide Hannah Sanderson puts a question to curator Susan Harrison.

Is there a typology used for dating gargoyles and grotesques on religious buildings? If not, how are they dated?

9

8

Ask the curator

Unfortunately, there’s no standard typology for dating medieval gargoyles and grotesques, and they can vary significantly even within a monument, as well as regionally.

They don’t always conform stylistically, and they often seemed to have given the mason an opportunity to be more creative and produce unique pieces inspired by imagination, nature, manuscript illustrations and sometimes even other characters in the mason’s life.

We can however use their contexts to help date them: for example, if they are in situ in part of the church that we know to have been built or modified at a particular time.

For ex situ stonework we can compare against those in situ examples and also look for other clues such as the type of stone used and architectural mouldings, which do have a dating typology.

Do you have a burning historical question you’d love to have answered?

Send them in to us and we’ll ask the curator in the next edition.

Holidays with history Prior’s Lodge at Mount Grace Priory, Yorkshire | sleeps 4 +cot

Stay in one of our characterful holiday cottages and enjoy exclusive after-hours access to our historic sites.

To book or to find out more email holidaycottages@english-heritage.org.uk or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages Luxury hamper on arrival

Fort House at St Mawes Castle, Cornwall | sleeps 4 +cot

10% OFF YOUR BOOKING ENTER DISCOUNT CODE

EHTVOL10 Valid for stays until 31st March 2023.

Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Private garden area of No.2 Sovereign’s Gate at Osborne, Isle of Wight | sleeps 4

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