I’ve been volunteering at Wollaton Hall since summer 2023 following my retirement.
During my induction we passed the 17th century organ in the gallery and I asked if I could play it. To my surprise I was allowed to, and now I play it it for visitors on the first Saturday of the month. It’s an unusual organ as the wind has to be pumped into the pipes by hand, so I recruited my husband Peter as a volunteer and we demonstrate the instrument together! The organ now has its own page on the Hall’s website.
Playing the organ made me think that the great hall would be perfect for concerts so I asked if I could organise some, and we now have a series called Harmony at the Hall. The aim is to have six concerts a year – at the moment, two classical, two jazz and two light classical.
Apart from the musical activities, I usually spend Saturday afternoon in the great hall meeting and greeting visitors and answering their questions. The most common question is, “Where are the toilets?” followed by, “Is the gorilla still here?” I’m trying to learn more about the history of the Hall so I can answer any question, even the ones about Batman! I have also learned a lot about the deer from the volunteer rangers and sometimes help on a information stall about how to care for the deer.
I absolutely love volunteering at the Hall. The staff are friendly and welcoming and building itself has so much history that I enjoy just standing in the great hall and imagining all the people and events it has seen over the centuries.
