Volunteers share their experiences

On our first closed Monday after a very busy summer season, staff and volunteers came together to share their experiences and achievements. Volunteers who help in a wide range of roles to make the property such a great attraction had the opportunity to find out more about what other teams get up to in different departments. With tours around the gardeners’ yard, kitchens, offices and hidden spaces within the hall, there was a rare chance to go behind the scenes and explore the various workspaces which interact together to keep the property running smoothly. There was also the opportunity to find out in more detail about the learning programmes we run at Beningbrough, our marketing strategy and retail operations.

 Rachel, Beningbrough’s Business Support Coordinator explains
about the financial operations which go on behind the scenes.

Tom and Neil show off the latest harvest from the walled
garden and discusses what they do in the garden team.

 Some of the volunteers shared their thoughts about getting involved at Beninbrough on this blog.

Angela  volunteers in the garden helping with presentation and as a garden guide. You may also see her selling raffle tickets or giving out our visitor surveys because your opinion is important to us.  She says,

“I started in June 2011 because I wanted to give something back in return for the free education I received in the UK. At the moment my favourite place is the south border because it’s so colourful. It has been widened this year and it was completely empty. To look at it now you wouldn’t have believed it! I enjoy volunteering outdoors because there is a lot of positive energy from the experience. It’s a great pleasure to meet the visitors we have to this property and contribute to making their experience memorable.”

 The South border

Joy volunteers in the hall and gives tours below stairs. She said “The view of the house as you drive up welcomes you." 

An impressive entrance.
©NTimages/John Millar

She continues, "I enjoy meeting people -this is my sixth season and the time has flown by. I enjoy doing the below stairs tours because I think it’s where I would have been! I know my place!” 

Below stairs

There are so many hidden spaces to discover. Olwen explains “I often use the wooden servants’ stairs and that creates comments from visitors who didn’t know they were there. The contrast between the grand cantilever and the basic one sums up country house life”.

 The servants' staircase...

...and the grand staircase!

We continually need more volunteers in different roles to help us keep the estate running. A new volunteer this year is Lesley who volunteers as a room guide in the hall and garden guide offering tours. She said “Doing both roles helps when engaging with visitors in either space. I can talk about either space. The history and stories complement each other and enhance the experience."

The house and gardens compliment each other at Beningbrough
©NTimages/John Millar

Mel and Adrian are both parkland conservation volunteers. They work on a Thursday as part of a small team looking after the 300+ acres including riverside paths, ancient ponds and woodlands. Adrian said “I enjoy talking to the inquisitive Aberdeen Angus…from behind the fence!” The parkland land is farmed by our tenants but the team care for the trees, fences and paths. Mel said “some jobs you enjoy more than others, I don’t like the constant battle with Himalayan balsam but I do enjoy playing at being a lumberjack when we thin out woodland glades”.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, whether in the house, gardens, learning team or in any other role, you can find full details of our current volunteering opportunities here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/find-an-opportunity/