Volunteers needed at Ellenroad Engine House

Ellenroad Engine House Steam Engine

Ellenroad Engine House is looking for anyone who can spare a couple of hours a month to ensure it can continue to run smoothly.

The museum opened in 1985 to ensure the preservation of Ellenroad Engine House and engines and is regarded as the world’s largest working steam mill engine.

Zoe Renshaw, Museum Society Chairwoman, said: “We don’t really need a specific number of volunteers. It is just anyone who can spare a couple of hours. Our issue it that our volunteers are ageing so we need to try and encourage younger people to come along.”

Duties vary from helping to serve tea and coffee during steaming days, the running of shops and stalls within the museum and the museum needs people who can train to operate the boiler which powers the museum.

Zoe added: “The day before we open, we go in and set up and get everything ready. Our cleaner is 80-years-old so we could do with assistance with the cleaning.”

Volunteers wouldn’t need to commit to a contract or to specific hours, they can give whatever time they can, even if it is only an hour a month.

“No experience is needed with volunteers. People who want to help are welcome from all walks of life. If there are retired or working engineers out there, then we could always do with a skilled pair of hands,” said Zoe.

Volunteers would be needed on the first Sunday of every month for steaming days. Depending on the roles of each person, they usually last from around 10:30am until 4:30pm.

There are also no age restrictions on volunteers. The museum has a number of children who volunteer, doing things like coal shovelling, so there really is something for everyone.

The next museum open day is Sunday 7 June.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the museum on 01706 881952.