An enlightening experience

Even in the short time I have been a Heritage volunteer steward I have had many positive experiences, not least of these being the people I’ve met whilst surveying properties.

As a new volunteer in 2010 my very first survey involved calling at a private property which I had often admired from a distance as it was situated on a regular route I once took to work.

As I approached it I could see several people working. I recall feeling rather unsure about proceeding; anxious about what reception I’d receive and the small, but important considerations as a representative of the Trust, as to whether I had chosen the right way to access the property. I need not have worried!

The workmen were interested in the Lincolnshire Heritage at Risk project and encouraged me to wait a short time until the owner returned. When he did, he was more than helpful with the information he gave, making my task of surveying the property quite effortless!

As an unexpected bonus, he gave me a conducted tour of his home which provided more fascinating details about its history and the recent renovation work.

Walking away from the property I reflected that should most of my surveys prove to be as pleasant a task as this one, my work as a volunteer would be very rewarding!

On a separate occasion, on a warm and sunny April afternoon, I arrived to survey a small village church. Two men were mowing the grass in the churchyard and silenced their machinery to talk to me. They were keen to learn about the Lincolnshire Heritage At Risk project and soon introduced me to the church warden who lived a short distance away.

Again, due to the wealth of information this person was able to give, my task of surveying the church was made much easier! She explained that the size of the church’s congregation was slowly, but surely, dwindling - a comment which unfortunately has been repeated by individuals at other churches I have surveyed since. The church warden informed me that funds were invariably in short supply and that attempts to improve the situation through social functions were poorly supported. This account reflected the content of a TV programme I recently saw about the less than encouraging future of church attendance in the UK. 

I reflected that the survival of valued church buildings was largely dependent upon the congregations and communities that supported them. Here then, was first-hand knowledge of someone actively involved in the business of her church who gave not only a frank and pessimistic account of the ultimate survival of the church’s fabric, but also that of the future of active worship in her local community - and of course, the wider negative social connotations that such a decline would mean.

So, on just two survey visits, I had the pleasure of meeting two individuals with completely different stories. One who was obviously proud of his efforts to preserve the heritage of his home and the other, who despite her best efforts to encourage the continuity of her own church and a sense of community, feared the worse for its future.

Whether their stories are positive or, unfortunately, less so, as a volunteer steward I gain much personal satisfaction from the new people I meet and their interesting and varied views of local heritage.

Colin, Heritage Steward

Latest developments

It’s been a busy few weeks since my last entry…

We have been working on developing the Heritage at Risk website (www.lincshar.org), its going to include lots of new features such as a young persons’ page displaying photos and video clips from their events and examples of their work. It’ll also include some features that will help to make using the website and uploading surveys even easier. Look out for changes over the coming weeks!

Our Feedback Co-ordinator has begun carrying out feedback sessions around the county, kicking things off in Stamford. We look forward to receiving the results of these to find out how our volunteers have been getting on, what has worked well and what can be improved. The feedback will help us to improve the project as it progresses, which is especially important given that this is a national pilot project.

The volunteer social event last week was a success. We had a very interesting and in-depth tour of Doddington Hall, followed by tea and scones in the newly opened coach house. It was lovely to chat with our volunteers and also to meet some of our new recruits who I had only ever communicated with on the phone or via email. 

More photos from the event can be seen on our Facebook page at:http://is.gd/nSAqld

Hopefully we will have another social event towards the end of the year as it’s a great chance for our volunteers to get together and meet each other, as well as an opportunity for us to thank them for their dedication and commitment to the project.

Natalie, Heritage at Risk Project Officer

Being a Project Officer

Last week was very typical of a week working on the 'Lincolnshire Heritage at Risk' project. Everyday is different.

Monday was mainly preparing for a talk. Getting the Power-point ready, sourcing suitable photographs and, of course, writing what I was going to say. It took much longer than I thought, especially the Power-point which contained some very dodgy animation. I'm sure my nieces and nephews could have done better.

Tuesday involved a staff meeting with fellow Project Officer Natalie and Senior Project Officer Matthew. The bulk of this meeting was concerned with our 'Hands on Heritage' expedition for young people. Still lots to sort out but making good progress.

Much of Wednesday was spent dealing with volunteer queries. Our volunteers are essential to the success of the project so we aim to deal with them as quickly as possible. Queries might involve: booking events, problems with the website, locating assets, questions about particular buildings etc. Answering questions can take quite a while especially when we have over 240 volunteers. I also posted out ID cards to our newest recruits who were trained at Alford by myself and our Director David Start. Hopefully these new 'Heritage Stewards' will be able to start surveying to add to the nearly 4000 completed surveys so far.

Thursday and Friday both involved more planning for my talk. printing off forms, the register and, most importantly of all, making sure we had enough tea, coffee and biscuits. These two days also involved a number of hours validating completed surveys. The project team check every single survey that gets completed by our volunteers. Sometimes its difficult to keep up with the amounts being completed!

Saturday was my talk at Benington. In the morning I talked about common building defects and after lunch we visited All Saints, a grade I listed church. The church is currently vacant but there are plans for its future. After a (very) short architectural tour by me members of the Community Trust explained what they have been doing and their plans for its future.

Overall, as always, a very interesting and varied week.

Michael, Heritage at Risk Project Officer

Volunteering as a Heritage Steward

I first heard about the Heritage at Risk project through a volunteering event at the University of Lincoln. I signed up for the introductory course which I attended with a few friends from my course.

The informal training included a presentation on background to the project. The aim was to record the condition and current use of historic buildings in Lincolnshire and contribute to a county-wide survey. After lunch, there was a guided walk around Stamford’s conservation area. We were shown what to look for when surveying a building and given guidance on completing the forms.

I was interested in taking part to find out more about my local area and have experience to include on my CV, as I am hoping to find work in the heritage field.

Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I haven’t done any surveys yet but volunteering with the project doesn’t mean committing to set hours. The surveys can be conducted when you have free time.

I’m now hoping to get out and make use of the good weather to begin surveying. Through my blog, I’m aiming to share my experience of being a ‘beginner’ Heritage Steward volunteer.

Karen, Heritage Steward

Becoming a Heritage Steward

Listening to Radio 4 one afternoon last year, I happened to hear an article promoting a new heritage project beginning in Lincolnshire.

Volunteers were needed to become Heritage Stewards, their primary task being to assist in the recording of the condition of Heritage "assets" (buildings, places of worship and archaeological sites) in the county. I had a few hours a week to spare having reduced my working hours and a few mouse-clicks later, I was in touch with Heritage Lincolnshire and found myself booked onto an introductory course for Heritage Stewards.

Having some previous volunteering experience with a local civic trust, I was not entirely new to the role. However, a year on from hearing that article on the radio, I could not have imagined the many varied and altogether positive experiences that I have enjoyed through becoming a Heritage Steward with Lincolnshire Heritage at Risk. Whilst I hope my small contribution to the project will be of help to the Trust's aims, I have without doubt, gained personally from "becoming involved".

As a volunteer steward, I have been able to develop my general interest in local historic buildings and sites. Having already surveyed around 15 sites, I now feel more confident in the role. Initially I was unsure of some of the terminology used in carrying out a survey (for example, the difference between a pinnacle and a parapet) but I would urge anyone out there who is considering becoming a volunteer not to be discouraged by such things! "Practice makes (almost) perfect", as the saying goes!

In the weeks to come, through my blog, I intend to detail examples of the experiences to be gained through becoming involved in the Lincolnshire Heritage at Risk project as a volunteer.

I'll close by suggesting some basic things to consider to ensure enjoyable volunteering with the Trust:

•That it helps if you have an existing love of Lincolnshire's heritage in all its forms
•That you have a wish to ensure that the county's heritage is maintained for future generations to enjoy
•That you have an openness to learn more about your county's heritage both through your own discoveries and the Trust's free study days
•And lastly, that through your role, you enjoy meeting a wide variety of new people!

Colin, Heritage Steward