In the latest in our series of ‘Meet the Volunteer’ profiles we hear from Phil who is a volunteer in Gripton’s Workshop.
“I applied to become a volunteer at the BCLM in 2012 when Gripton’s opened, because I am very interested in restoring vintage radio sets, particularly those from the 1930s era. I also have some knowledge of the history of radio meaning I could pursue my hobby whilst bringing my expertise to help the Museum.
I carry out repairs and restoration of vintage radios and other vintage electronics, and have repaired equipment for other museums such as the Coffin Works Museum. I have also built and continue to maintain four background music ‘sound points’ playing period and seasonal music in various locations around the Museum. I also repair and restore antique clocks around the Museum.
I have been volunteering for just over seven years. I started in January 2012, initially visiting just once a fortnight while I was still at work. I retired in 2013 and increased my volunteering sessions to one day a week at the Museum.
I’m on site most Tuesdays, and you’ll most likely see me wearing a brown works coat and cloth cap as I go round the Museum, winding-up and adjusting the clocks in various locations. It’s nice meeting and getting to know more of the demonstrators. I sometimes work in the radio workshop behind Gripton’s, but more often in the Rolfe Street Workroom in the basement.
Volunteering lets me use my knowledge and skills to help improve the visitors’ experience at the Museum, at the same time as enjoying my own hobbies of radio, music and clocks. I also volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway one day per week plus occasional weekends and special events, and I volunteer as a repairer at Bewdley Repair Cafe once a month. Volunteering has helped me broaden my interests and teach myself new skills.
Volunteering gives me opportunities to work with other like-minded enthusiasts as part of a team, although I am just as happy working on my own. It is a privilege to be able to work as a volunteer at one of the country’s leading Museums and to have been allowed and encouraged to expand the scope of my work over time.”
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