frequently, just three days per week. Belinda’s job we do and to make an emotional connection so that includes working closely with the families to open we gain their support for a number of years.” In order up their properties to the public whilst ensuring that to achieve this, the Trust relies on a team of dedicated conservation of the buildings is maintained. There’s volunteers and their gift of time is enormously valued always a balance to be achieved at the National Trust by the whole organisation. between the needs of conservation and those of the Volunteering has changed over the years with far visitors and there is a specialist Conservation Team on more opportunities for people to get involved. The hand to ensure this balance is achieved. Trust is working hard to make a range of more flexible Belinda’s time at Pennywell has helped her to become roles available including micro volunteering, welcome quite creative in dreaming guides, roaming guides A major career highlight for Belinda and a chance to undertake up suitable events that tie in with the character of the was the filming of the very last in specific research from properties. Greenway hosts home. There are 130 series of Poirot at Greenway. lots of events throughout volunteers at Greenway the year and is a major highlight for festivalgoers with a total of 480 across the English Riviera portfolio. attending the International Agatha Christie Festival Some of the more traditional are in gardening and every September. Coleton Fishacre with its connections room guiding but increasingly less traditional options to the jazz age has stylish Jazz Club evenings and are being used. These include specialists acting as both properties present regular open-air theatre critical friends to the business, which helps with performances. business planning and there is also an active internship What comes across very strongly in my conversation programme. with Belinda is her belief that people matter the most. Belinda confesses to me that she is a bit of a work She explains, “We want our visitors to understand what addict with an ‘umbilical cord to work.’ She has lived
Belinda with the team at Greenway House. 16
August/September 2014
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