Volunteers needed at Powis Castle

Volunteers are urgently required to work in all areas of Powis Castle.

"Whatever your interests or skills, Powis Castle and Garden would love to hear from you," said  Allison Pritchard, assistant visitor services manager at Powis Castle

“Following visitor feedback, we’re open 6 days a week in 2011 and we’re also trying to open up more rooms for the public to see, so as a result we need lots more volunteers, especially room guides. If we don’t get volunteers, we have to start closing rooms, which then obviously means a knock-on impact on our visitors’ enjoyment," she said.

"Powis has many rooms which must be staffed in order to open. The cellars for example house rare tun barrels and original wine bins and it would be great to bring this forgotten servants area back to life. The house team at Powis have also put a lot of effort into reinstating the original smoking room.

"Much of the original furniture used in the room is still part of the castle collection today and this change has allowed many pieces that have been in storage for years to be put on display."

 Allison says "‘if we are able to recruit more volunteers, we intend to open the room to greater visitor access to allow better viewing of the paintings and Tompion clock as well as a look into the washroom."

But it‘s not just room guides, the Castle needs help across the board- from selling raffle tickets, to helping in the office, shop, restaurant, garden and also with school groups. For the braver souls, they are also looking for volunteers to dress in costume and provide a friendly welcome to their visitors.

In 2010, Powis Castle also acquired a people carrier, to transport less mobile visitors to the castle and lower gardens. But without more volunteer drivers, it won’t be able to run. “We’re not looking for people with any special qualifications,” Allison
explains, “Training will be provided. We just need someone with a clean driving licence.”

Volunteer Recruitment Days will be held at Powis Castle on Wednesday 2 and Sunday 6 February 1030am -1pm.