A £1.4 million fundraising appeal to help complete the restoration of a "unique" Industrial Revolution community in Cheshire has been launched by the National Trust.
Quarry Bank Mill was the heart of cotton production in the region from the 1780s through to the 1920s and is the most complete surviving example of such a community.
The site is cared for by the National Trust and the mill's working machinery, the Apprentice House occupied by pauper children who worked there, and the estate's gardens and walks are already enjoyed by more than 130,000 visitors a year.
But the £6 million National Trust project aims to restore and reveal currently unseen features of the estate and the archives of the Greg family, who built the mill on the banks of the River Bollin in 1784, their workers and pauper children.
The project will include the restoration of a worker's cottage and shop in the estate village to provide a glimpse of life at the time.
The trust also plans to repair Victorian glasshouses that were at the forefront of technology at the time and produced exotic and out-of-season fruit for the Greg family, and bring them back into production.
Original woodland "pleasure grounds" will be restored and the "northern woods" with bridges, pathways and vistas will be opened. And the Greg family's house will be opened to showcase the archive material, letters and documents of the family, estate workers and apprentice children spanning from the 1790s to the 20th century.
Quarry Bank's general manager Eleanor Underhill said: "Quarry Bank Mill is an extraordinary place that captures a precious time in this country's history. It's no wonder this industrial era featured so heavily in the Olympics opening ceremony last year. Through this appeal we want to be able to share its deep history and personal stories with millions.
"As part of the project we will be inviting volunteers and local communities to help restore key parts of Quarry Bank and develop their own restoration and conservation skills that can be passed on to future generations."
The project will cost a total of £6 million and take five years to complete. The National Trust has launched the public fundraising appeal and will also seek contributions from funding bodies and organisations.
Watch the video here http://vimeo.com/59508580
Showing posts with label National Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Trust. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Wardens Turning Into Rangers
In line with our colleagues in the North of the region, and in other parts of the country, today we in the Southern part of the Northwest region are to become RANGERS.
Whilst having been very proud to have served in the role of warden, warden in charge and head warden I think the change will bring real benefits to the properties.
Public perception of the differences of what a warden is and what a ranger is are very marked.
A warden's role is seen to be a policing role, someone who say's 'no you can't do that' or 'get off the grass'. Also people get confused as you also have warden who look after old folks homes and prisons!
So the change to ranger, a role people see as an enabling role, a role that is there to help people enjoy the countryside and to get the best out of it, is seen as a step towards that public perception and will bring us closer to the people who visit our properties.At the same time, we still have to protect and conserve it. Never an easy ask to combine the two.
So you will see us in our new kit around on the properties, do come have a chat with us, we would love to meet you!
Whilst having been very proud to have served in the role of warden, warden in charge and head warden I think the change will bring real benefits to the properties.
Public perception of the differences of what a warden is and what a ranger is are very marked.
A warden's role is seen to be a policing role, someone who say's 'no you can't do that' or 'get off the grass'. Also people get confused as you also have warden who look after old folks homes and prisons!
So the change to ranger, a role people see as an enabling role, a role that is there to help people enjoy the countryside and to get the best out of it, is seen as a step towards that public perception and will bring us closer to the people who visit our properties.At the same time, we still have to protect and conserve it. Never an easy ask to combine the two.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
A Personal Note
It is now 25 year to the day since I started working for the National Trust. In that time I have seen many changes. Changes to the organisation, ways of working and styles of leadership. I can remember the membership being 1.8 million. We now have 4 million and counting.
I can remember at the property where I worked, Kedleston Hall & Park, prior to the NT taking on the responsibility of running the place, the anticipation and uncertainty of working for a conservation charity. What would it be like? What were we going to be doing? According to our then employer, he said, 'nothing will change, I'll still be giving the orders'. He was partly right! But that might be the subject of a book later in life!
I met countless people in that time, within a short time, Prince Charles came to a function to raise money for the appeal which was then in full swing. As I stood on 'sentry' duty my impression was 'he's a lot shorter in real life'.
I soon found my feet with the Trust and took on more and more responsibility. I worked for a time on my own as my colleague had left and they were unsure as to what to do. I found myself in charge of the property as Head Warden and there I remained for 23 years.
We hosted concerts, had thousands of classical fans one night, then thousands of screaming girls the next night when Westlife were playing in the park, all good fun. Our social life on the property was great, we organised events, picnics and outings.
We took on additional property's surrounding the property. In all I was responsible for four large outdoor sites, but with the same resources we had with one!
I have worked with some fantastic people, committed, passionate about what they were doing and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on others. I have been fortunate enough to see young folk come into the sphere of conservation and outdoor working and have given them a steer in the direction of the NT. It's good to see them now as Rangers working in different parts of the country.
The Trust has changed beyond what it was when I first started. More so in the last few years. It takes on challenges and sets itself tough targets. It is trying to do things differently to react to changing times that we live in.
I feel very privileged to have worked for this organisation and to have made a difference, albeit perhaps a small one. I will forever be touched by the people I have met along the way. From the humble estate worker to the knowledgeable expert.
I am looking forward to the next 25 years. I can't wait to see what that brings! Where will the NT be then? Will the measures we take today be enough to conserve our precious places for the future? Or will we need to change what we do to safeguard these cherished places. Challenging times ahead!
I can remember at the property where I worked, Kedleston Hall & Park, prior to the NT taking on the responsibility of running the place, the anticipation and uncertainty of working for a conservation charity. What would it be like? What were we going to be doing? According to our then employer, he said, 'nothing will change, I'll still be giving the orders'. He was partly right! But that might be the subject of a book later in life!
I met countless people in that time, within a short time, Prince Charles came to a function to raise money for the appeal which was then in full swing. As I stood on 'sentry' duty my impression was 'he's a lot shorter in real life'.
I soon found my feet with the Trust and took on more and more responsibility. I worked for a time on my own as my colleague had left and they were unsure as to what to do. I found myself in charge of the property as Head Warden and there I remained for 23 years.
We hosted concerts, had thousands of classical fans one night, then thousands of screaming girls the next night when Westlife were playing in the park, all good fun. Our social life on the property was great, we organised events, picnics and outings.
We took on additional property's surrounding the property. In all I was responsible for four large outdoor sites, but with the same resources we had with one!
I have worked with some fantastic people, committed, passionate about what they were doing and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on others. I have been fortunate enough to see young folk come into the sphere of conservation and outdoor working and have given them a steer in the direction of the NT. It's good to see them now as Rangers working in different parts of the country.
The Trust has changed beyond what it was when I first started. More so in the last few years. It takes on challenges and sets itself tough targets. It is trying to do things differently to react to changing times that we live in.
I feel very privileged to have worked for this organisation and to have made a difference, albeit perhaps a small one. I will forever be touched by the people I have met along the way. From the humble estate worker to the knowledgeable expert.
I am looking forward to the next 25 years. I can't wait to see what that brings! Where will the NT be then? Will the measures we take today be enough to conserve our precious places for the future? Or will we need to change what we do to safeguard these cherished places. Challenging times ahead!
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