7 minute read
ROUND UP
ROUND UP
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
All over the country our amazing volunteers have adapted to the challenge of lockdowns and Covid-19. Here are just a few of the stories of teams who have pulled together through this turbulent time.
BE PART OF IT We’ve expanded the opportunities to volunteer from home. To fi nd out how you can get involved visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
Main image Apsley volunteer visit to Stratfi eld, August 2019 Far left Carlisle Castle Left Carving at Carlisle Castle Above Volunteer Julie Barnett at Apsley House
QUALITY TIME WITH VISITORS AND LECTURES ONLINE
Apsley House, London
We are lucky to be able to welcome back so many of our loyal volunteers at Apsley House. Despite the restrictions we have had a good number of visitors. The volunteers have been able to spend more time with our visitors, allowing them to expand upon the stories about the Duke of Wellington and his art collections, as well as the history of the house itself. Many visitors have expressed their delight in this approach.
During this year, we have also expanded on our online activities at Apsley House with a series of regular lectures by curators and conservators from other sites. Volunteers The volunteers are contributing with have been talks on a favourite able to subject of theirs. In addition to this, both spend more staff and volunteers time with are contributing to our new blog with our visitors material related to our two properties, Apsley House and Wellington Arch. It is with great satisfaction that we’ve been able to increase our body of knowledge despite the pandemic. Much of this is thanks to our volunteers.
WELCOMING VISITORS BACK WITH CUMBRIAN CHARM
Carlisle Castle, Cumbria
During the summer of 2020, volunteers and staff worked together to ensure Carlisle Castle could reopen in a Covid-secure way. The site was already partnered with Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life to offer a joint ticket for visitors, and volunteers returned to meetand-greet the public as they re-entered for the fi rst time following the spring lockdown. Brian Dobie, a visitor volunteer, helped families safely navigate the site and brought a little historical intrigue to their visit. Having used the lockdown to familiarise himself with the history of the castle, from the bemusing location of cannons to Anglo-Scottish wars,
Brian thought he had it all covered. That was, of course, until one curious visitor asked the biggest question of all: ‘Where’s the dragon?’
Brian has now turned his hand to researching the castle’s most mysterious inhabitant and can confi dently confi rm that it sleeps in a nest on the roof and can be very bad tempered if awoken. If you are brave enough, you can jump on the trapdoor in the great hall and you might just hear a rumble... ‘The friendliest English Heritage site in the country’ according to one enthused visitor, it is the volunteers and staff who give
Carlisle Castle a charm like no other. ►
REOPENING IN THE NEW WORLD
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
The site reopened on 4th July, following a huge amount of planning, risk assessments and with a vast amount of PPE. Our visitor numbers were strictly limited to just 390 pre-booked tickets, but the workload for staff and volunteers increased immensely. Our volunteers went from being the person in the castle you had a bit of a chat to, to full-blown tour guides, leading groups through the castle keep on a one-way system and giving half-hour tours. The logistics of moving 390 people in groups of ten through the castle are immense, and its success is testimony to the skill and dedication of the volunteers and staff involved. This super-enhanced visitor experience has proved so popular that in non-Covid operations this offer is something we will continue with. Apparently it is also good for weight loss.
This page Main image Peter Wilson with visitors at Pendennis Castle Top left Steve Tribe helping a visitor Bottom left Sarah and David at Pendennis Castle Opposite page Main image Visitor at Osborne Inset Osborne visitor volunteers Sue and Vicky
THE RETURN OF OUR VISITOR VOLUNTEERS
Osborne, Isle of Wight
Our volunteers have made an incredible difference: they have welcomed visitors back with a warm smile and helped them rediscover and explore the grounds at Osborne. One example of rediscovery has been their ability to signpost visitors to the Osborne reservoir. This was originally built to supply water to the fountains on the terraces and today it is a tranquil and cool spot for visitors to walk around and view the koi carp. There are also two squirrel ladders made by a garden volunteer, to aid the rescue of any red squirrels that may unfortunately fall in.
The garden proved to be a very popular spot for visitors to enjoy the peace and beauty of the fl owers, hops and lemons, including those found in the original glass greenhouse. Our volunteers have been asking the visitors to look out for the three little topiary pigs that live in the original red brick piggery. Our younger visitors love hearing about the squirrel ladders and the pigs and enjoy seeking them out.
Our wonderful team Since reopening and despite the challenges and restrictions in place, the visitor volunteer team at Osborne have done an amazing job in delivering a fi rstrate visitor experience and have enjoyed adapting their role by volunteering in the outdoors at Osborne. ■ THANK YOU
We thank everyone for their support, whether you have been able to come and volunteer or haven’t been able to re-join us yet. As ever, you have shown incredible dedication to your roles and to English Heritage. We look forward to better times ahead and welcoming you all back this season.
