The Heart and Soul of Our Museum: Volunteers’ Week 2024 Spotlight on: Madeline Owens

In honour of Volunteers’ Week 2024 we have been shining a spotlight on the wonderful team of volunteers we have here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum. The beating heart of our organisation, without their dedication and commitment to keeping history and traditions alive, our Museum would not be the place it is today.

One of those volunteers is Madeline Owens. We recently caught up with Madeline about her time at the Museum.

How long have you been volunteering at the Museum?
I have been volunteering at the Weald & Downland Living Museum for nine years now. Very early on I became involved with Winkhurst Tudor Kitchen, which was one of the main draws for my interest in volunteering here. As well as focussing on activities within the Tudor Kitchen, I also help with workshops for school visits.

What do you most enjoy about your work here?
I think it’s just being here and being part of the team. I really enjoy being involved in the workshops for children of all ages, but eight and up is particularly enjoyable for me. At that age the children really engage with the activities which makes it fun. I’m involved in a variety of workshops including Medicine and Magic and Tudor Apothecary.

What made you interested in volunteering at the Museum?
I’ve been a member at the Museum for as long as I can remember. My dad brought me here when I was a teenager, and then some years ago, my sister and I did a dairying day here and we just absolutely loved it! I said when I retire, that is what I want to do.

I think it’s nice to keep yourself active and engaged and also retain that contact with people. I was one of the people that gave up history before O Levels so when I came here my knowledge of history was not brilliant. But being involved in the Museum has given me a thirst for knowledge – I learn something new here every single day!

What is your most memorable moment at the Museum?
During the pandemic, when it was so difficult to do much at the Museum, we actually set up an outdoor kitchen on the grass outside Winkhurst. We created a Tudor kitchen where we cooked, and I remember we made a kind of pottage with foraged plants and cooked nettles and all sorts. It was so nice because at that time, none of the buildings were open to the public and we weren’t able to work closely with other volunteers, but because we were doing it outside and adhering to the rules, it felt like bringing the Museum back to life.

To find out more about our team of volunteers and the benefits of giving your time to the Weald & Downland Living Museum, please click here