As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we put the spotlight on the incredible individuals who dedicate their time to the Museum. These passionate individuals offer their time, skills and knowledge to not only enhance the visitor experience but also ensure the conservation of traditional skills and practices for future generations.
One of our long-standing volunteers, Nick Wedlock, generously shared his experiences and reflections of working at the Museum with us. An engineer by profession, Nick found a new calling in the Museum’s forge and mill, environments through which he continues to connect with his passion for engineering and craftsmanship.
“I used to work as an engineer, and I left my job to start working in a primary school as a premises officer looking after the school, mornings and evenings”, Nick recalls, “Whilst working there I started volunteering at the Weald & Downland Living Museum during the day. It worked out well for me and made the best use of my part time hours.”
“I work two days in the forge, Thursdays and Saturdays, and a Monday in the mill,” Nick explains, highlighting the diversity of his volunteer work. Transitioning from a career in engineering to volunteering at the Museum, Nick has found a fulfilling way to apply his skills.
However, it’s not just about the work Nick explains; it’s the personal connections and the solace he found here following a personal loss. “This is my social contact, I suppose you could call it, after my wife died. It has made a huge difference to me.”
For Nick, the highlight of volunteering isn’t just the hands-on work but the interactions with visitors. “I like working in the forge the most, but a lot of the enjoyment is meeting people,” he says. The Museum’s vibrant atmosphere brings out the best in people, and opens up lots of conversation about shared experiences.
Over his years of service, Nick has witnessed the Museum’s growth and evolution. With a greater emphasis on social history, he says the Museum has changed for the better during his time here which has enriched the visitor experience even further.
Nick’s story is just one of many that highlights the profound impact volunteering at the Weald & Downland Living Museum can have on both the individual and the community.
If you’re inspired by Nick’s story and want to make a difference while igniting an existing passion for history and craftsmanship, we invite you to join our family of volunteers. You can find out more here
