Holidays with history

To book or to fi nd out more email holidaycottages@english-heritage.org.uk or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/holidaycottages

On the cover: Inspiring young visitors at Gainsborough Old Hall.

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

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Editor Anneka Coleman

Designer Bronwen Reeves

Copy editor volunteers

Ann Mateo, Lynne Baybut, Kirsty McEwen

Thank you to all our contributing volunteers

Hello and welcome

In the words of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, ʻThe work of today is the history of tomorrowʼ – and so it is that we once again find ourselves looking back on another six months of wonderful work from you, our unstoppable and enthusiastic volunteers. As we feel summer in the air, you should congratulate yourselves on a winter well done!

In NEED TO KNOW on page 30 we get an opportunity to hear from our new Chair, Gerard Lemos, who tells us about his passion and vision for English Heritage. In YOUR STORIES on page 26 Toby Charkin tells us how his role at Lullingstone Roman Villa led to an MA in Ancient History – and how a decades-old schoolboy theft has given visitors the chance to get closer to the past. In this edition’s ROUND UP on page 8 we take a look into how education volunteers are looking to inspire our visitors across the country.

Volunteer Focus magazine is your magazine, which is why we’re asking all our volunteers to share their feedback on it in our OVER TO YOU section on page 33. And if you have a story or an idea for an article, we’d love to hear from you.

Matt Huggins, communications volunteer