Honing skills in close season

A chance to gain valuable experience as a winter volunteer is being offered at a Wisbech museum dedicated to the town’s most famous daughter.

The summer season at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House at 7 South Brink closes at the end of October, but the doors will continue to open on the first Saturday of each month.   Special openings will also need to be catered for, with groups of a minimum of ten adults being admitted at a cost of £6 a head or £7.50 if tea and biscuits are included.

Roles demanding a wide range of skills will be available, including room stewarding, administration and the enhancement of the education team for primary schools.

An urgent plea has been made for two particular positions at the house where the social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, was born.   One of these is a gardener, undertaking light tasks such as watering and supplying some tender loving care.   Another involves helping in the tea room on a regular basis on Sunday afternoons from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

Mr Peter Clayton, chairman of the Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum Trust, said:  “Although we are closing at the end of the season, there will be opportunities for people to experience voluntary life without the great pressure of the season – and there will be good opportunities for volunteers to be inducted for special openings.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the ongoing work of the museum should email info@octaviahill.org or telephone 01945-476358, leaving contact details.