Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and its Volunteers have an excellent relationship, and we would hope that the people who give their time to Volunteer at Ironbridge Gorge get as much out of their experience that we do.
Name:
Ruth Oakley
Volunteer Since:
2006
Role:
Darby House Guide and Victorian School Ma’am
Role Outline:
Giving history and information to help visitors at Rosehill and Dale House better understand what the houses are all about, and giving school children a taste of what life in a Victorian school was like.
Volunteers Story:
I retired from teaching in December 2006 and at first enjoyed the novelty of being at home after nearly 30 years continually at the chalk face. After a few months I needed a challenge and responded to an article in The Ironbridge Quarterly which resulted in my becoming a volunteer guide in the Darby Houses. I have learned such a lot about the Darby family, the Quaker movement and the history of the houses. Last year I was able to immerse myself in the history of the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
I do find Dale House to be of particular interest and enjoy discussing its history, which isn’t immediately apparent, with visitors. During my two seasons I have learned to ‘read’ visitors – those who just want a quick look around on their own (though they always ask about the unfinished room) and those who want information sometimes detailed. I have now built up to volunteering several times each month, and enjoy it immensely.
Having applied unsuccessfully to become a employee at Blists Hill I joined the volunteer demonstrators in 2008. Again this was in direct response to The Ironbridge Quarterly when retired teachers were needed for the Victorian School. I understudied Chris Simmons for a few sessions then went solo. I had thought to be doing the occasional Wednesday but became hooked and now do as many Wednesdays as I can manage, throughout the year. Last Autumn I agreed to become an official ‘School Ma’am’ undertaking Taught Sessions with visiting school groups. I find this very satisfying entering the role play with gusto. There is something about the costume and the atmosphere of the large classroom. The groups of children who have taken part in sessions have all entered into the spirit really well, some even breathing a sigh of relief when they are allowed to become themselves again.
As a result of my experiences at Blists Hill I was invited to give an illustrated talk at a Primary School in Lincoln last year. My Granddaughter Hannah , then aged 5 and a Year 1 pupil there, was thrilled and loved calling me ‘Ma’am’. I was able to borrow a few costumes and some artefacts, and along with photos engaged the children in the experience. It was interesting to see how these young children responded to my character: all on best behaviour and very polite. I took the opportunity to publicise the Museums of course. Hannah has visited three times since then!!
Hannah loves to tell people that her Gran’ma is a Time Traveller: back to Victorian times on Wednesdays, and even further to the 1700s on other days. It is certainly the challenge I craved and a most enjoyable and satisfying way to spend my time.
The IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST, Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7DQ is a limited company registered in England under the Companies Act 1948 Reg No. 918560 and the Charities Act 1960 Ref No. 503717-R.
The Ironbridge Gorge is a World Heritage Site.
