Pioneers Museum celebrates volunteer dedication

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum volunteer team with Mervyn Wilson

Volunteers were rewarded for their dedication at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum Christmas Celebration evening.

Volunteers Neil Williams and Liesl Beckles received one year service awards for a having volunteered for over 350 hours and over 250 hours respectively.

Zeenat Ahmed, who is currently completing her Duke of Edinburgh Award, was also given a special award for completing over 100 hours service.

All volunteers received a certificate presented by Mervyn Wilson, Chief Executive and Principal of the Co-operative College and a trustee of the Co-operative Heritage Trust, which manages the museum.

Jenny Mabbott, Manager of the Rochdale Pioneers Museum, said: “Our team of volunteers have made a tremendous contribution to the museum throughout 2013 and the evening was all about honouring their hard work and achievements. From greeting visitors to assisting with school parties, our volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum and we could not operate without their support.”

During the evening Neil Williams and Liesl Beckles gave a lecture about the Pioneers first minute book.

Throughout 2013, a team of volunteers have been working hard to transcribe this important document and have been studying its content.

The evening was attended by 30 visitors and volunteers, and was dedicated to celebrating the successes of the hard working volunteers, who have collectively completed over 1,800 hours of service in 2013.