The Pool House at Witley Court and Gardens, Worcestershire
On the cover:
Head gardener Dan Hale outside The Eyecatcher, a Victorian folly at the southern end of the Target Garden at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens.
If you’d like to contribute to the next edition of Volunteer Focus or if you have any feedback, we’d love to hear from you:
e. volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk
t. 0370 333 1185
www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteer
If you’d like this document in a different format, please contact:
e. customers@english-heritage.org.uk
t. 0370 333 1181
Editor Sophie Robertson
Assistant editor Anneka Coleman
Designer Bronwen Reeves
With thanks to copy editor volunteers
Ann Mateo, Kirsty McEwen, Leanne Middleton and Jane Heaton, and all of our contributing volunteers.
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
Hello and welcome
It is a great honour to be asked to introduce this latest issue of Volunteer Focus. Alongside my day-to-day role as an explainer at Walmer Castle, I also support virtual inductions for new volunteers across the charity. It can sometimes feel overwhelming starting out as a volunteer in new surroundings, but it is important to remember that everyone started out as ‘new’ at some point.
Our charity has also recently stepped into a new chapter, and new beginnings and experiences are the theme of this issue. On page 24 we look to the future with a new community engagement project at Gainsborough Old Hall, and on page 16 we reflect on ‘first day nerves’ when Brodsworth Hall opened as an English Heritage site some 30 years ago. On page 31, volunteers at Beeston Castle have been undertaking experimental archaeology and, on page 23, taking a chance and trying something new was rewarded with an exceptional find.
If you have a story to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Chris Hayward Explainer volunteer
Charity update
People and culture director Andrea Haug shares the plan for the future direction of the charity.
Ijoined English Heritage as people and culture director in December last year. It’s a new role that ensures the voice of our people, employees and volunteers, is represented on the Senior Leadership Team and in our decision making as an organisation. As an active volunteer for a neurodisability charity, I’m particularly pleased that responsibility for volunteering and participation falls within my remit.
Thank you for your support
Volunteering is at the heart of English Heritage, and we simply couldn’t achieve all we do without you. Thank you for giving your time and supportyour dedication, enthusiasm, and passion brings our sites to life. Whether welcoming visitors, guiding tours, tending gardens, supporting events, education, conservation or in other specialist roles, your contributions make a real difference.
Your support continues to grow, and last year you collectively gave over 350,000 hours to support our work.
We don’t take this for granted and remain committed to enhancing your volunteer experience, from launching the Volunteer Hub to introducing badges that recognise long service milestones. I was amazed by how many of you have reached your 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years of service – and on page 16, you’ll meet six remarkable volunteers at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens who have been part of our team for 30 years.
Our roadmap for future
Wherever you are based – at free-to-enter sites, pay-forentry sites, offices, collections stores or from home, you’re a vital part of the English Heritage team. As the charity embarks on its next chapter, which is set out in our new five-year Strategic Plan (this is available to read on Fuse), our ambition is for volunteering to continue to grow. Heritage is for everybody, and we want everyone to experience the joy and value of it.
As a charity, we care for over a million objects and over 400 historic sites in every part of England. We open them up,
share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy them. These places and objects belong to everyone, and yet, for too many people, there are still barriers that stop them engaging with us. We need to remove barriers to wider engagement. Our goal is to become more relevant to more people, attracting more members, visitors and supporters.
Wherever you are based...you’re a vital part of the English Heritage team
We need to be able to continue to invest in conservation, caring for our sites and collections now and for future generations. And to fulfil our purpose, English Heritage needs to be financially and operationally sustainable. The work to reshape the charity over the first part of 2025 was an important step to help us meet the opportunities and
challenges of the next few years from a position of strength. Having a new Strategic Plan keeps us on track, helps us to adapt when needed and makes sure we stay focused on what matters. Please take time to have a look at this plan and see how your role fits with our three strategic goals: to care for and enhance the National Heritage Collection; to share meaningful stories, learning, and engagement experiences; and to grow our operational and financial resilience. These goals give us a collective focus — and every colleague is contributing to achieving them.
New opportunities to get involved
I’m really looking forward to hearing about the work you’re doing this summer. This magazine showcases highlights of some of your outstanding contributions over the last 12 months – from helping to involve local people at Gainsborough Old Hall to supporting archaeological excavations at Wroxeter Roman City. This visitor season, volunteers are playing a key role in some
exciting projects for the charity, including recreating a Neolithic building at Stonehenge as part of our new Learning Centre and at Kenwood, supporting the major exhibition Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits. Many of you are also involved in welcoming visitors at our newly designated guided tour sites, including Ranger’s House, York Cold War Bunker, Cleeve Abbey and Great Yarmouth Row Houses, and at the two newest sites in our care, Bessie Surtees House and Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. Our volunteering programmes continue to develop and expand with new opportunities so more people can join us.
Thank you for being part of the English Heritage family, and best wishes for the rest of the season. ■
Be part of it
Top left Shout Out Loud, English Heritage youth engagement, with Aardman Academy in Bristol.
You can view the 2025/26 Strategic Plan and One Plan on Fuse
There are a wide variety of volunteering roles across the country. To find out how you can get involved visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteer
Previous page and top right Volunteers help to recreate a neolithic building at Stonehenge.
Keeping connected
Updates and offers for you
Listen and discover Saying
Dive into our online catalogue of talks by fellow volunteers. There are so many stories to discover. Explore the life of the Duchess of Cleveland at Battle Abbey with Robert Catt and Fiona Stapley, delve into family politics at Goodrich Castle with Rob Jones, or join Sundeep Braich for a stirring profile of Sophia Duleep Singh.
Scan the code to access these talks and so much more on Fuse.
Share your news
We’d love to hear from you by email at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk
Back in June we celebrated Volunteers’ Week with site visits, parties and lots of sweet treats.
Audley End volunteers enjoyed a trip to the art deco mansion Eltham Palace, while over at Dover Castle volunteers had a reciprocal visit with Chatham Dockyard. Special picnics were arranged at many sites to present long service awards, including Walmer Castle, and a combination of gift bags and thank you cards were sent to volunteers who support us behind the scenes.
Wherever you are, and whatever you do, you make English Heritage what it is, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
Blue plaque celebrating Sophia Duleep Singh.
Celebrating 2025 Volunteers Week in June.
Shaping our charity
In October, 1,650 of you shared your views through our volunteer survey. We were pleased to find that:
• 96% of you are enjoying your role.
• 92% are proud to be an English Heritage volunteer.
• 94% intend to keep volunteering for another year.
However, there are areas where we can improve, such as:
• Listening to your views. Only 34% of you feel confident that your views will be heard by those at the top of the charity.
• Equipping you for your role. From getting the uniform you need, to tea and coffee supplies.
• Making the most of your skills. Many of you would like to use your skills more and explore other opportunities within the charity.
We have already used your survey feedback to inform new volunteer plans at places such as Wrest Park and Dover Castle. On a national level, your voice has helped us when launching our long service
awards and during current pilots of a new rostering system, as part of our broader Volunteer Hub roll-out.
Michael Schulz, volunteer at Eltham Palace and Ranger’s House, has been actively involved in implementing volunteer feedback as part of the working group who helped to roll out the first phase of Volunteer Hub. ‘Volunteer voices are so important’, explains Michael ‘volunteers know what they need best. I believe that the key takeaway of the 2024 volunteer survey should be that all feedback is listened and responded to accordingly – from suggestions that impact the charity on the highest level, to more minor asks.’
Long service awards
Last year, we launched long service awards to recognise those who have been volunteering for 5, 10, 15, 20 years and longer. More than 1,700 of you reached these anniversaries in 2024. We hope you enjoy wearing your badges with pride.
Don't
forget
Your volunteer pass gives you free entry for you and up to six friends or family to all English Heritage sites. We hope you enjoy learning about the other sites in English Heritage’s care. Just show your pass when you arrive, or book online using code EHT2025
Get 10% off your stay at an English Heritage holiday cottage. Use discount code EHVOL10 when you book online or call 0370 333 1187.
Michael Schulz.
A long service award celebration.
Heritage in a different light
From tactile tours to vibrant Diwali parades, we've invited people to experience our sites in new ways. Sophie Robertson, volunteering and participation officer, explores how people have enjoyed connecting with heritage – bringing it into their lives in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Celebrating Diwali at Marble Hill
For the third year in a row, Marble Hill came alive with music, laughter and light to mark Diwali. Locals enjoyed tales from Indian mythology, Bhangra and Bollywood dance workshops, Dhol drummers, giant puppets and a parade through the house and grounds. ►
Marble Hill came alive with music, laughter and light
New tours at Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle hosted their first tour specifically designed for blind and partially sighted visitors. The tour was created by volunteer Jan Beardsall, who also volunteers as a walking buddy with the charity iSight Cornwall. It focused on the Tudor history of the castle and those who lived and worked there. Handling objects, including a slice of a cannon barrel and a clay pipe, combined with the more tactile elements of the castle itself, such as the granite walls and the
studs of wooden doors, allowed the group to get a feel for history in a safe and secure environment. Jan said that giving visually impaired people an appreciation of the site’s spectacular coastal location was a welcome challenge. ‘Pendennis is on a promontory, with the castle keep on the end, so I asked the group to stretch out their arm with their fist clenched to represent the keep, then spread out their fingers to imitate cannon poking out of the embrasures all round. This seemed to do the trick.’
Get involved
Help more people enjoy connecting with heritage at our sites and events by volunteering. If you can help, please get in touch at Volunteer.Hub@english-heritage.org.uk
Opposite, main Prayers at
Opposite, top Volunteer
Giving visually impaired people an appreciation of the site’s spectacular coastal location was a welcome challenge
Previous page Diwali celebrations.
Left Pendennis Castle.
Above Jan Beardsall leads tours for blind and partially sighted visitors.
sunset.
Ros Sutton enjoys the crescent moon event with visitors.
Observing the crescent moon over Stonehenge
Stonehenge welcomed a group of 60 Muslims from local mosques for a crescent moon sighting that marked the start of the Islamic month Jumada al-Thani.
The event was organised in partnership with the New Crescent Society. Before making their way to the stones, the group enjoyed presentations from Heather Sebire, senior properties curator (Stonehenge), and Jennifer Wexler, curator of history. This was followed by an inspiring presentation from Imad Ahmed, director of the New Crescent Society, on moon sighting techniques and the similarities in alignment between the Kaaba and Stonehenge. The Kaaba, also known as al-Ka’ba al-Musharrafa,
is a square stone structure located at the heart of Islam’s most sacred mosque, the Masjid alHaram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
After sunset prayers, the group watched as the crescent moon rose above the stones.
Imad Ahmed reflected afterwards that the ‘event was a very good example of a partnership between a heritage site and a community who often don’t engage with heritage institutions. Yet at this event, you had a Muslim community who were absolutely engaged, and able to view the history of Stonehenge in a way that was very relevant to them. The event brought Stonehenge alive to the attendees.' ■
The key to Donnington Castle
Site volunteer Libby Goldsack shares a tale of history, community and collaboration.
Donnington Castle in Berkshire is a free-to-enter site, which has long been a treasured landmark. Community involvement has been the catalyst in the development of the site, leading to new historical research and helping to inspire local interest.
Hatching a plan
Shaw Church Community Heritage Group, led by David Willetts, together with Shawcum-Donnington Parish Council, hatched exciting plans with English Heritage. This included involving students from the local Trinity School in volunteering opportunities and replacing a missing information board (a long-time aspiration of the parish council). Things further snowballed with input from local historian David Peacock and English Heritage senior properties historian Steven Brindle.
New research
The castle had primarily been viewed as a Civil War bastion (there were three Civil War battles of Newbury and a year-long castle
siege), but it was actually built in the late 14th century as a manor with a licence to crenelate or fortify.
A group visit to the English Heritage archives with Steven added to this past research. Steven provided key new information and an amazing historical reconstruction of the whole fortified manor house. In addition, four extensive interpretation panels were installed with the new information produced in consultation with the community.
We are incredibly keen that the younger members of the community are involved
Getting hands on
Last August a work party of newly recruited maintenance volunteers, including the young people from Trinity School, spent a satisfying
morning excavating rubble from the ground floor of the gatehouse - the only remaining full structure of the castle.
We enjoyed working alongside English Heritage advisors on the archaeological potential of stones. Anything of interest was retained for further investigation.
All this effort culminated in a Heritage Open Day event held jointly by English Heritage and Shaw Church. The young volunteers were great as our meet-andgreeters, and they also provided IT support throughout the day. The history talks drew a large, keen audience and the new information panels were officially unveiled.
Bright futures
Enlisting the support of the young people in our community has been crucial and will help to futureproof our efforts. Ginny Slade, volunteer and community engagement manager, explained ‘We are incredibly keen that the younger members of the community are involved, have a voice in the decision process, share ideas and build on their connections with the site.’
Through these new connections, the team were invited to deliver a PSHE talk at Trinity School. PSHE stands for ‘personal, social, health and economic education’ and is a curriculum subject that helps young people stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and work. The talk was given to sixth form Travel and Tourism, History and Business students, with emphasis on Donnington Castle, and it was a great opportunity for the team of young volunteers to share their experiences with their peers.
With plans to recruit more guides, it is hoped more local young people will join the call to ensure a bright future for this castle. ■
If you'd like to visit Donnington Castle or would like more information on this free-to-enter site, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/donningtoncastle
Celebrating thirty years of volunteering at Brodsworth Hall
Communication volunteer Ashley Ryan discovers the people at the heart of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens.
Brodsworth Hall is so much more than a grand Victorian country house—it is a living, breathing testament to the people who have shaped it over centuries.
From Roman settlements to Norman lords
The land on which Brodsworth Hall stands has been touched by human hands for millennia. The Romans first settled in the area, drawn by fertile soil and a strategic position along key trading routes. Following the Norman Conquest, the estate changed hands and became part of the feudal system established in 1086, complete with a manor
house and village. By 1713, the estate had entered a new chapter when it was sold and remodelled by Archbishop Hay Drummond, whose architectural additions brought a fresh elegance to the property.
A dark chapter: wealth built on exploitation
The grandeur of Brodsworth Hall, however, is inextricably linked to a darker history. Peter Thellusson, a Genevan merchant and financier, purchased the estate in the 18th century. His immense wealth was largely derived from the transatlantic slave economy – an enterprise in which he was deeply entangled. Thellusson profited from financing the trade, facilitating the movement of ships, and investing in plantations whose profits came at the immeasurable cost of human suffering. Goods produced by enslaved workers helped to furnish the lifestyles of the elite, and some of these echoes remain in the very fabric of Brodsworth Hall.
Upon his death, Thellusson left one of the most infamous wills in British legal history – a document so contentious and labyrinthine that it is believed to have inspired elements of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. His will triggered decades of bitter legal disputes among heirs, benefiting lawyers more than his descendants and ultimately prompting Parliament to pass the
Brodsworth is a living, breathing testament to the people who have shaped it over centuries
Thellusson Act of 1800 to prevent such outcomes in the future.
A new era: the glamour of the Victorian age
By the mid-19th century, the estate passed to Charles Sabine Thellusson, who would demolish the previous hall and build the Italianate mansion we see today. His marriage to Georgiana Theobald, granddaughter of a prominent horse breeder, infused new life into the estate. The couple brought with them a passion for elegance and leisure. By rebuilding the house and creating sweeping gardens they made Brodsworth into a comfortable family home.
The paintings of prize-winning racehorses still hanging in the hall are a nod to their legacy, blending sporting heritage with aristocratic opulence.
Decline and survival: the 20th century Brodsworth’s story took another turn in 1931, when Charles GrantDalton inherited the property. The estate was in a state of gentle decay, and the economic climate – burdened by death duties, the Great Depression, and two world wars – offered little opportunity for restoration. Paintings had been removed from the walls, carpets were
threadbare, and the future of large country houses in Britain looked bleak. Many estates like Brodsworth were abandoned or demolished during this period.
Yet the hall endured. It remained in the custodianship of the family until 1990, when it came into the care of English Heritage. The following years saw a careful programme of conservation, culminating in the public opening of Brodsworth Hall in 1995. English Heritage chose to preserve the hall not as a pristine restoration, but as a place of ‘arrested decay,’ capturing its layered history and quiet resilience. ►
Previous spread The west side of the house and the flower garden viewed through the laburnum arch. Opposite page Inside the library.
Top of this page The Target Garden. Above Volunteers tend to the gardens.
Volunteering here has helped us maintain a productive and enjoyable retirement.
A living legacy: volunteers at the heart of Brodsworth The soul of Brodsworth Hall today is found not just in its architecture or gardens, but in its people whose passion and dedication continue to shape its story.
In 1995, David Lodge spotted a tiny advert in the Doncaster Free Press asking for volunteers. As a child he would sneak into Brodsworth’s overgrown grounds, peering at the mysterious house with its shuttered windows. Now, his connection runs much deeper. ‘My favourite aspect of volunteering has been being able to do it with my wife Mollie, for most of this time. Over the last four years we were given the opportunity to leave a legacy in the shape of a dry-stone wall and path edging. Brodsworth is such a tranquil place to find solace for a troubled mind. Fellow volunteers, staff and visitors have become my friends.’
Julia Ledger also first encountered Brodsworth as a child: ‘we would come to the hall for garden parties, the statues and pillars fascinated me.’ Years later, she began giving talks on the house and has found that visitors are always exceptionally curious about the pet cemetery.
Sue and Roger Lindley have totted up a collective 54 years of volunteering. They first fell in love with the house at a garden party, their favourite part of volunteering is meeting visitors, hearing their stories, and witnessing the connections others form with the hall. ‘I don’t really remember our first volunteering session, but I do recall wondering how I would ever remember everything. 27 years later, I can say that I did.’
Margaret Mills’ knowledge of Brodsworth was playfully tested from the start when, on her first day, Ron Williams, husband of
the last private owner of the hall, walked in with friends and asked her to explain its history. Laughing, she replied: ‘it’s my first day, Mr Williams - you know far more than I do.’ Margaret will be celebrating all these years later by ‘enjoying a toast of something, with a hope that everything carries on for at least another 30 years.’
That toast may be best enjoyed in the rolling gardens, which Pat and Ron Dawson have seen transformed over 26 years from overgrown to the immaculate spaces visitors enjoy today. ‘Our training in 1999 was a five minute chat, the information folders were a lifeline. Volunteering here has helped us maintain a productive and enjoyable retirement.’
Dorothy Brown echoes this sentiment: ‘when I first arrived, I felt it was a happy place. I still feel that today.’ Dorothy treasures the extra opportunities that come with volunteering at Brodsworth as much as the grand history, from cleaning books to wrapping gifts
for Father Christmas, Dorothy has turned her hand to lots of things.
The story continues From ancient settlers to countless lords, from Victorian elegance to wartime austerity, and now into the era of conservation and community, Brodsworth Hall has always been shaped by its people. Its walls hold their memories, and its gardens echo with their footsteps.
As English Heritage celebrates 30 years of stewardship, it is the volunteers, both past, present, and future, who embody the enduring spirit of the hall. Their contributions are not simply acts of maintenance or education; they are a continuation of Brodsworth’s human story.
In every carefully preserved room, every lovingly tended rose bush, and every shared memory among friends, Brodsworth lives on, not just as a relic of the past, but as a place shaped by those who care for it still. ■
When I first arrived, I felt it was a happy place, I still feel that today
Far left top Volunteers and staff celebrate Brodsworth's 20th birthday in 2015.
Far left bottom Conservation cleaning.
Above Decorating the Christmas tree has become an annual highlight.
Left Brodsworth volunteers receive their long service awards.
Find out more
Listen to 'From home to heritage: 30 years of care at Brodsworth Hall' - episode 65 of the English Heritage podcast: soundcloud.com/englishheritage
What lies beneath?
Sundeep Braich, explainer volunteer, recounts her first experience on an archaeological excavation dig at Wroxeter Roman City.
In May 2024, our team of Wall Roman Site (Letocetum) volunteers were invited to visit Wroxeter Roman City – a trip taking us further along the historic route, Watling Street. Wroxeter (or Viriconium) was once the fourth largest city in Roman Britain. Today you can explore the excavated remains of its city centre and the impressive modern museum highlights excavated site finds. A month later, I received an email offering 'Wroxeter excavation and tour guide volunteer opportunities.’
An archaeological dig sounded exciting, like something from Indiana Jones.
Health and safety was taken seriously because archaeological excavations can be hazardous. Reasonable adjustments were made for my disability so that I could take part. We were all required to have up-to-date tetanus vaccinations because of the risks either during the dig or when cleaning the finds of being exposed to bacteria Clostridium tetani that lives in soil, dust and animal faeces.
Sharing the finds
We also had the opportunity to deliver dig tours. Giving tours to members of the public was
initially daunting because many of us came from neighbouring English Heritage sites and did not know Wroxeter Roman City very well. Fortunately, Dr Roger White, an expert on Wroxeter and the excavation’s co-director, gave us all an in-depth training session and comprehensive notes. Our guided tours were split into three parts. Part one laid out the site’s context, explaining the Roman City and street alongside the museum. Part two concerned Wroxeter’s history as a Victorian model farm, and part three focused on the excavation trenches, where archaeologists chatted with the public.
A variety of finds
Finds discovered in the trenches were organised into trays. Covered in earth, these finds needed careful cleaning using water, toothbrushes and wooden cocktail sticks. Often, the finds were bits of brick, roof tile, animal bone or teeth. But sometimes there were fragments of beautifully decorated pottery and coins. Coins were especially useful to the team as a method of dating. Geophysical surveys had indicated that something significant would be found even at the evaluation stage
– probably the city’s main civic temple dedicated to the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno and Minerva). As we hoped, we did find a building, as well as a wellpreserved 2,000-year-old mosaic depicting dolphins and fish, plus what might have been a shrine. It was truly amazing to have taken part in this groundbreaking discovery. ■
Sometimes there were fragments of beautifully decorated pottery and coins
Plan your visit
Find out more about the history of Wroxeter Roman City. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/ wroxeter
Main image Wroxeter Roman City. Left Artist's impression of Wroxeter from the second century.
Above Sundeep with animal teeth finds.
Old hall, new beginnings
Communications volunteer Gillian Sulley shares how volunteers are playing their part in the latest chapter of this town centre landmark’s story.
There have been few moments in the past 500 years when Gainsborough Old Hall has not been at the centre, literally and metaphorically, of life in the Lincolnshire market town of –you’ve guessed it – Gainsborough. This picturesque building has served as a private residence, theatre, corn exchange, masonic lodge and museum – amongst other things.
Involving the community
Things have never exactly been quiet at the hall – but it’s been even busier since the award of a National Lottery grant of more than £222,000 in late 2023. Shortly after this significant cash boost was received, the ‘Old Hall, New Beginnings’ project was launched, and a new era began for this iconic brickand-timber medieval edifice.
English Heritage is undertaking conservation works, revitalising the garden and hosting a range of activities for
the local community including volunteer opportunities, a social prescribing programme and an employability skills development programme. There is an emphasis on more fun, family events, and fresh interpretation is under way to better tell the story of the Old Hall.
Dr Jess Bowden was appointed as the new community engagement coordinator in March 2024. Previously an archaeologist, she has recently completed her PhD in Heritage Management (with an emphasis on improving accessibility and wellbeing, especially for older visitors) alongside her work at Gainsborough. Jess spoke about the progress of some new initiatives and developments involving existing volunteer groups.
'We are just two minutes’ walk from the town’s market square. My role at Gainsborough Old Hall is to boost engagement and maximise its role in the local community,' says Jess. ►
Bringing it to life
Volunteer groups old and new are a vital part of this process and Jess goes on to describe how a group of archive and research volunteers has been established, looking into the post-1949 history of the hall. From that date, the property was owned and cared for by a group known as the Friends of the Old Hall Association (FOHA), and the new volunteer group is examining their extensive archive of meeting minutes, records relating to past exhibitions and other documents. 'The research group have been fantastic so far,' says Jess. 'They have been going through archives that no one has looked at before, and it’s really bringing to life the more recent history of Gainsborough Old Hall.' The community engagement volunteers are another new team who are getting involved with outreach at events such as Christmas markets and careers fairs. They also help with craft activities, including a recent pomander-making session.
For those who weren’t glued – sometimes literally – to Blue Peter-style crafting in the 1970s, pomanders (from the French
‘pomme d’ambre’ meaning apple of amber) are a good oldfashioned Christmas 'make' that involves tying a ribbon around an orange and pushing the spiky ends of cloves into the peel to make an aromatic hanging decoration. Apparently, there are records of their use (for warding off the Black Death or masking inadequate personal hygiene) dating from the 14th century, so they’ve been around even longer than the Old Hall. They were originally made for the wealthy from gold, silver or pewter, with the fruit being a later, lower-budget adaptation.
Opportunities for socialising and addressing issues of wellbeing were an important element of their volunteering
Previous page The hall from the gardens.
This page
Top left Visitors take in the impressive hall.
Top centre An aerial view of the hall.
Top right Visitors enjoy the hall.
Left Education visit to the kitchens.
Below A finished pomander.
Projects old and new 'We have also recently created an oral history group' said Jess. 'They are running a Reminiscence Project, which looks to bring people together to share memories of their experiences of Gainsborough Old Hall and the effect it has had on their lives over time'.
As if this wasn’t enough new volunteer groups for one English Heritage site, there are also the youth ambassador volunteers - young people aged 16 to 18 who are gaining valuable life and work experience from an association with the Old Hall.
'Activities such as meeting with colleagues from English Heritage are helping to prepare them for work or university, they will also be producing their own film over the summer.’
Meanwhile, the longerstanding volunteer groups at the site are going from strength to strength as they tackle new projects with energy and vision. I was able to chat to two of the gardening volunteers at the end of last year and was struck by their passion for helping to restore the small but perfectly formed formal gardens and herbaceous borders to showcase
the plants and herbs that would have grown there in the Tudor period. For many, volunteering offers more than just practical work - it creates opportunities for socialising and supports wellbeing. For some, it’s a chance to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and conversation with fellow gardeners after retirement. For others, like young jobseekers, it provides valuable experience, helping them build practical and social skills for their future careers.
From the inside out
If you fancy adopting the guise of, say, a Tudor ‘spit boy’ (the lowliest of the kitchen staff, who would turn the heavy iron spike that held vast hunks of meat over the fire), the established ‘make and mend’ needlework volunteers are currently busy making costumes for visitors to try on. 'They are such a talented and dedicated group' says Jess.
While most of these projects have involved people coming to the Old Hall, Jess has been out and about with some of the volunteers, presenting at local primary school assemblies and careers events at secondary schools.
Such a whirl of activity leaves Jess finding it hard to believe that she is almost halfway through her tenure already. So, when she moves on to pastures new, will the new volunteer groups be able to stay involved after the ‘New Beginnings’ project ends?
'I can definitely envisage the community engagement volunteers staying on, and I’d love to see the youth ambassadors carrying on too, but we shall have to see.'
With so much more still planned for the coming year, there isn’t too much time for dwelling on 'afterwards' now. If Gainsborough Old Hall’s long and varied history is anything to go by, though, chances are there will be plenty going on here for centuries to come. ■
Find out more
Find out about the changing lives of a medieval manor like Gainsborough Old Hallepisode 120 of the English Heritage podcast: soundcloud.com/englishheritage
Why we love volunteering Behind the scenes
The variety of volunteer roles is constantly developing and, while most people are on sites or in collection stores, a growing team of volunteers are volunteering from home. Communications volunteer Matt Huggins meets two of the team.
When most people think of volunteering for English Heritage, they probably imagine a backdrop of castles, country houses and glorious gardens. However, there's a group of less visible volunteers, volunteering from home. Just like our teams based at sites, these volunteers cover a wide range of duties and make a huge difference to our charity.
Flexible opportunities
These roles also provide more flexibility on location, as demonstrated by Christine Diessner. Christine first began volunteering in the summer
of 2023 and helps translate interpretation materials from English into her native German, so more visitors can enjoy our sites. Having lived in London and studied an MA in translation at the Open University, she thought that this opportunity would provide her with good experience and a reference when applying for jobs in the field.
Christine works in a small team with other translators, all of whom help to proof each others’ work to make sure it’s accurate and consistent. This process is about more than simply translating one word into another, and it regularly brings up the challenge of
There are so many opportunities that allow you to contribute in all sorts of ways
translating different terminologies, names and phrases, which can vary greatly from one language to another. Fortunately, this is a challenge that she relishes. The team’s most recent work focused on Bolsover Castle, which took about a month to complete, with Christine saying: 'It is always best to allow time for hiccups and last-minute adjustments.' For her, working alongside a like-minded team is the best part of the role. 'We all get on really well, and there is a good sense of community.'
Unconventional roles
Yulia Drobysheva first started in her home-based role after deciding to leave her job in the city and pursue a master’s degree in Heritage Management. Whilst she studied, Yulia wanted to give something back to the community in her spare time and was pleasantly surprised to find a role with English Heritage that was a great fit for her existing skill set in business administration. With a wide range of tasks coming her way, from database cleansing to leading a project to document volunteer processes, every day is different and Yulia loves the variety. 'It’s great that there are
so many opportunities that allow you to contribute in all sorts of unconventional ways. It's very different to my former job, where I felt like a very small part of a huge organisation. At English Heritage, I really feel like part of the team.' With children and plenty of studying to keep on top of, the flexibility of the role has also proved beneficial. 'I was worried that it might feel like another job, where I was under pressure to do work to tight deadlines. But you can't compare it with doing a job. It's very mutual. I've never felt pushed into anything.' Yulia has also loved the benefits volunteering brings to her family, using her volunteer pass to take them on days out to English Heritage sites. 'My daughter loves history. And my son always points out the logo on the signs, saying 'That's where you work!' Seeing that interest from them is priceless.' ■
Get involved
There are many more opportunities to volunteer from home or behind-thescenes. For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteer
Clockwise from top Yulia Drobysheva (second from right) with her wider team; Yulia stands inside Stonehenge; volunteer translator Christine Diessner; administration volunteers working behind the scenes at Dover Castle.
What might have been
Matt Huggins, communications volunteer, explains how a team of volunteers at Beeston Castle are not just preserving history, but experimenting with it.
Beeston Castle is famous for its medieval hilltop fortress, but since 2019 it’s also been home to a Bronze Age roundhouse built and maintained by volunteers. The initial build, led by experimental archaeologist Luke Winter, combined archaeological evidence and practical, hands-on creativity from the volunteer builders.
Archaeologists often ask themselves ‘how did they...?’ based on physical evidence and artefacts. However, the team at Beeston prefer to ask ‘why wouldn’t they?’ This approach allowed for lots of creativity, as the volunteers were able to speculate on how people may have solved everyday problems to build and maintain their own homes. Thanks to our brains being largely unchanged for many millennia, and our specieswide desire to make life easier for ourselves, it is fair to assume that the humans of today may well come up with the same solutions as those of yesterday.
Experimental archaeology
Since the roundhouse was built, several volunteers have stayed on as maintenance volunteers – but they’re doing much more than keeping things as they are. They’re also discovering and developing features that –although may not be supported by any excavations – are certainly plausible given their context. This is a hallmark of a practice known as experimental archaeology, and the results offer an extraordinary glimpse into the past.
So far, the volunteers have used this approach to think of creative solutions for updates to the roundhouse, including looking to archaeological sources to create new window frames and a hearth. Volunteer John Huntbach, a member of the roundhouse team, says that he is most proud of being involved with the building of the new hearth. ‘We learned a lot in making it and I think we would use a slightly different method if we ever did it again,’ says John. ‘It also required a lot of materials to be carried up ►
Since the roundhouse was built, several volunteers have stayed on as maintenance volunteers
Main image Maintenance volunteers experiment with ideas and techniques. Below Re-daubing external walls.
to the roundhouse, which if you don’t know it, is on a steep hill.’
Maintaining and learning
The roundhouse walls have also been re-daubed several times as the team develops and adjusts the mixture and materials to achieve the best result much like the original inhabitants would have done. Each time, the end result becomes a little sturdier and longer lasting, and through this freedom to experiment, our volunteers now feel they have got the mixture just right. The team has even recreated a prehistoric loom, allowing them to experiment with weaving techniques and
Plan your visit
dyeing of raw materials.
A clear sense of community amongst the volunteers shines through the Beeston roundhouse team. ‘My favourite thing about the role is working with equally enthusiastic people, learning new skills and ideas along the way,' says John. United through a shared passion, together they have turned the remains of a long-lost roundhouse into a thriving homestead, reflecting how life would have looked all those many years ago. Their work offers a refreshing new view of our past and shows the value of getting stuck in with a little creativity – not being afraid to try something old ■
If you'd like to see the roundhouse at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/beeston
My favourite thing about the role is working with equally enthusiastic people
This image The roundhouse. Below The team try out a new mixture for daubing.
Inspirational places
English Heritage sites have always provided a source of inspiration for poet Sharon Ashton.
Sharon, who volunteers at Wenlock Priory, tells us, 'Oaks are extraordinary, supporting more life than any other native tree species in the UK. Wenlock’s little oak is hidden away in the north-eastern corner of the site and easily missed, but I visit it every time I’m on duty, checking for oak apples and acorns.'
Genealogy of the Little Oak at Wenlock
Midsummer king, leaf-lipped man
Consort of ivy, lover of mistletoe, Pixie-hatter, Shader of bluebell and wild garlic.
Carrier of pox-marked in powdered wig, Wracker of unrepentant souls, Executioner, Cradler of canon and human bones.
Framer and septum of house and ship, Hide-tanner, beer-barreller, Giver of ink
Healer of skin and aching limb
Home for owl and crawling thing, Mud-drinker, pig-feeder, Fungus-breeder, Autumn ruster of sky and water.
Root-communicator of pest and drought, Photosynthesiser, Conductor of bird song and electricity.
Be inspired
Don't forget to use your volunteer pass for free entry to our sites. For inspiration for your day out visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me
Over to you
Over to you
A space just for you
A warm welcome
New volunteer ‘Dorothy Straw’ was given a warm welcome by the team at Walmer Castle.
An incredible discovery Rick Berry made an incredible discovery at Gainsborough Old Hall. These apotropaic marks were intended to protect buildings and those inside against demons, witches, and the evil eye. The markings have been recorded and photographed by Janie Berry.
A fond farewell
We waved a fond goodbye to Carolyn Hicks, who retired from her role as volunteer supervisor at Beeston Castle. Carolyn was instrumental in the roundhouse project and matched her volunteers with her passion for history.
The time of their lives
Martin Barrett at Richborough Roman Fort received stacks of heartwarming thank you letters from recent school visits. The children thanked him for his fascinating tour and told him they had the ‘time of their lives’. They promised to remember the experience forever.
Check out our volunteers’ Facebook group - a great space for you to connect with others. With over 800 members already, it’s a friendly, welcoming space where everyone is invited to join the conversation
Search English Heritage volunteers on Facebook.
A prize-winning picture
In the last issue, we asked to see photos of our volunteers reading Volunteer Focus in weird and wonderful places, and promised a small prize for the most unique location. Congratulations go to our winner Nick Pal, who volunteers at Gainsborough Old Hall. Nick sent us a photo of himself ‘relaxing in the manager's chair’. His picture featured in our e-newsletter and he received a book from the English Heritage shop. Thank you Nick.
We’d love to hear from you
Please send us your letters, news, photos, puzzles, quizzes, jokes or anything else you’d like to share. Email us at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk
Supporting your volunteer experience
Your quick guide to our volunteer systems
Our volunteer support systems and processes
We have three systems to help you track your hours, manage your details and get access to important information, including training and how to submit your expenses.
These systems aren’t linked, so when you make changes you’ll need to make them across each system.
Please ask your volunteer manager if you need help with this.
Volunteer hub
www.english-heritage.rosterfy.uk
You can use the Volunteer Hub to manage your volunteer experience.
Use it to:
• update your contact information and emergency details
• manage how you hear from us
• track your hours
• apply for other volunteer opportunities, including one-off events and activities.
Fuse
www.englishheritage.fuseuniversal.com
Fuse is our communication and learning platform for volunteers and employees. Your account will be created for you once you have completed your induction. You will be emailed the details.
Use it to:
• share your thoughts and ask questions
• access need-to-know information, including your volunteer handbook, FAQs and expenses
• read Volunteer Focus, Volunteer Voices and all our newsletters
• check event pages
• take training courses.
Claiming your expenses
Before you can claim expenses, you’ll need to fill out a form. You can get this from your volunteer manager or by scanning this QR code. Once you’ve done this, the finance team will let you know your unique account number, and you’ll be able to see it on your profile on the Volunteer Hub. You can use this number when you submit your expenses.
Full details on expenses can be found on Fuse.
Thank you to our heritage heroes
The variety of roles you do continues to grow. This time we’re celebrating our stables volunteers, whose unbridled enthusiasm makes all the difference to our animals and visitors.
A donkey using the tread wheel to raise water from the well at Carisbrooke Castle.
