Sarah Bracken
Helps with open days and education sub-group
Tell us a bit about yourself – what do you do when you’re not volunteering?
During the week, I work in an office providing admin support to a team of lawyers (but don’t ask me any legal questions because I won’t be able to answer!). In my free time, I like walking, reading, and watching television – especially history programmes and old episodes of Time Team.
What sort of volunteering work do you do with FoWG?
I’m a new volunteer so haven’t had much experience yet. So far, I’ve helped in the café and on the door, checking people in for their tours. I’m hoping to get involved in the education sub-group once the new building is open.
How did you get into volunteering with FoWG?
I changed job a couple of years ago and found myself with more free time at weekends so I started thinking about volunteering somewhere. I happened to see the stand at the Lambeth Country Show and decided to take the plunge!
What is your favourite thing about volunteering?
I’m enjoying meeting people and helping out while visitors find out about the history of the site. It’s a little gem and should be known about!
What is the one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to volunteer?
Do it!
How do you feel you have benefited from volunteering with FoWG?
It’s early days yet but I’ve enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and finding out about the history of the windmill. I knew the mill before it was renovated and it’s nice to be involved in the regeneration – if only in a small way.
Finally, tell us a surprising fact about the windmill that people may not know.
More sad than surprising: I found out that Ashby leased some land on what is now Blenheim Gardens so that seven houses could be built, thus unwittingly adding to the loss of wind to power the mill.
