Meet the Team: Volunteer

Meet the Team: Volunteer

 

During this time of isolation and social distancing, relying on digital technology to communicate has never been more important, and we wanted to help curb any loneliness and boredom with a series of blogs about our team. The team were asked a series of questions to answer so you can get to know them better. Next time you visit our museum in Tewkesbury, perhaps you’ll remember the name and the face of one of our staff members, helping you feel more connected to our property.

So without further ado, let us introduce to you…

 

 

1. Name 

Jean Charlton

 

2. What is your position at the John Moore Museum (JMM)? 

Volunteer and also worked as the Front of House Officer at the Old Baptist Chapel in a paid capacity.

 

3. How long have you worked/volunteered at the museum?

Approximately 5 years.

 

4. What is your favourite thing about working (or best memory) at JMM? 

Being part of a team, working in beautiful surroundings that are steeped in history, so the imagination is able to run wild about how it may have been in the past. Conveying those thoughts to visitors and school groups and especially seeing the wonder on the faces of the small children when they enter the Merchant’s House.

 

5. What is your favourite quote by John Moore?

Not really,  I have to admit I don’t know his work that well. I must add to my lockdown reading!

 

6. What is your favourite object in the museum’s collection? 

The mole that is able to be touched by visitors and children. Everyone is always surprised by the feel of the fur and the puzzle jug in the Old Baptist Chapel, because adults love to play and get a little wet!

 

7. What do you do during the closed winter season? 

I enjoy any school visits or other visits if I am involved. I love visiting the Secret Garden when it is winter time. Walking and finding new walks and watching out for birds and other wildlife. Crafting, I have been learning to print on fabric and paper this year. Baking and cooking, and of course going to the allotment and seeing the results of the labour in the summer months, tiny green sprouts, small fat cabbage, shiny red chard, bright green spinach and purple sprouting. Seeing the tiny green shoots of hope in the onions and garlic and broad beans and meeting our allotment friends and neighbours who have kept us company over the last difficult months.

 

8. What is the most memorable museum moment you have experienced? (It doesn’t have to be from your museum) 

I love going to museums of any kind, it is great to see children and young people gaining new knowledge and experiences.  The Mary Rose Museum is really interesting and on a very interesting site, that given time can really be explored and absorbed. I watched the Mary Rose emerge from the water, and so it was amazing to see it in the preserved state and see all the Tudor objects close up.

 

9. Why did you decide to volunteer in the heritage sector? 

I wanted to experience a completely different environment to the one I had worked in previously and meet new people. Being able to work in the local community was important and also being able to learn new information about the history within the Tewkesbury area, which gave me new insight into the town and surrounding  villages. This was especially so when I was researching and increasing my knowledge linked to the Old Baptist Chapel. Hands on experience and working with the public is also an area I enjoy.

 

10. Is there a project or exhibition you would most like to create or see at the JMM in the future?

Perhaps develop the Old Baptist Chapel into a mini exhibition centre, that has different topics that change on a regular basis, maybe once a term. Possibly linking into the school curriculum. Having just started being involved in ‘home schooling’ with my 6 year old grandson, I worry that there will be huge gaps in their understanding and knowledge that need to be filled in an exciting and interesting way.

 

Thank you for reading our blog from one of our fantastic volunteers. I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the team and we will continue to add more volunteer stories on our blog!