What is Heritage Volunteering?
NADFAS Heritage Volunteers are:

Some examples of what Heritage Volunteers do:

• in-situ conservation of books, manuscripts, archives and maps
• cataloguing documents and archival listing
• documentation of objects including listing and transcribing
• conservation of Metalwork. Cleaning and cataloguing arms and armour, medals and military silver
• preventative conservation of textiles. Replica work, creation of period costumes and methods of storage
• guiding - for all types of groups
• stewarding - in museums, historic houses or gardens
• gardens - research and recording

Polesden Lacey fashion show - 12th October 2010 A very successful fashion show took place at the National Trust property, Polesden Lacey, on Tuesday 12th October when NADFAS heritage volunteers modelled replica Edwardian costumes made by themselves. A joint project between the National Trust and NADFAS East Surrey Area resulted in more than 30 volunteers working together across a period of 18 months, making beautiful outfits for the room stewards at Polesden Lacey to wear on special themed “Greville” weekends. The East Surrey Area group was led by Betchworth member Penny Emery and she and her team worked extremely hard to ensure the success of the project. All those who participated enjoyed making new friends and meeting the National Trust volunteers. The clothes were made using modern fabrics as they needed to be both practical and not too costly. Generously donated antique lace and other trimmings were added to make the outfits look as authentic as possible. Hats were also specially made to complete the ensembles.

Titsey Place
Titsey is one of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey. It dates back to the mid-sixteenth century, though the first impression now is of a comfortable early-nineteenth century house in a picturesque park. The NADFAS Heritage Volunteers' work at Titsey Place consists of recording and indexing the 4,500 volumes in the house; the aim is to undertake general research and preserve the volumes for future generations. The Volunteers have received special training and their expertise includes cleaning with a special vacuum, noting the condition and doing any repairs, ie reattaching torn spines and loose sections, firming up corners, paper-tears etc using their homemade organic flour based paste and acid free papers. Hank Arnott, the leader of the group, says that "the work gives us enormous satisfaction as well as the opportunity to enjoy each other's company in delightful surroundings".

Pictured in the photograph are Barbara Pugh, Joan Holman, Rosemary Buchan, Hank Arnott (Titsey Representative) and Jane Berthoud (East Surrey Area Heritage Volunteers' Representative).

http://www.titsey.org/

Down House
It was at Down House that Charles Darwin worked on his scientific theories, and wrote 'On the Origin of Species' by Means of Natural Selection – the book which both scandalised and revolutionised the Victorian world when published in 1859. The house remains much as it was when Darwin lived here. The rooms on the ground floor have been furnished to reflect the domestic life of the family, while the study holds his writing desk, chair and numerous objects connected with his work. The first floor offers an interactive exhibition on his life, research and discoveries. NADFAS Heritage Volunteers are currently involved with stewarding at Down House.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Holy Trinity Church, Westcott
Dorking Heritage Volunteers have recently completed the conservation of the Christmas/Easter altar cloth and rescued the Mother's Union Banner at Holy Trinity Church. With the help of Zenzie Tinker, and after tuition from her in securing precious fabrics in place, a team of six worked hard to prepare the altar cloth for Christmas services between October and December 2007. A team of four worked on the Mother's Union banner during the following months and the stunning result more than justified the decision to rescue the banner, despite a previous assessment that it was beyond all hope.

Shere Museum
The picturesque village of Shere in Surrey is of considerable historic interest. The museum pays testimony to the history of the village with its collection of photographs and information, maps, genealogical records, and wills. A group of NADFAS Heritage Volunteers from West and East Surrey Areas worked on cataloguing and collating archives prior to the Museum's move to its new site. The Museum in Gomshall Lane, Shere, GU5 9HE is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 1 to 5 pm; free parking is available adjacent to the Recreation Ground. If you are interested in stewarding, please contact the Curator on 01483 203245.

http://www.surreymuseums.org.uk/museums/Shere.htm

St Peter's Church Tandridge
A reredos erected by Sir George Gilbert Scott in St Peter's Church Tandridge has been restored to its former glory by a team of 17 volunteers from Limpsfield DFAS. The church dates from the 11th Century and evidence of the Norman construction is still to be seen. The church was 'Gothicised' by Sir George in around 1870 and the Portland limestone and alabaster reredos was erected as part of this project. It had been overpainted in various shades of red, green and ochre by an over-zealous vicar's wife in the 1920s and given a further coat of white emulsion some 50 years ago. The restoration project involved the painstaking removal of these layers of paint and the original sculpture is now to be seen in all its glory. Sir George lived in the parish and his wife is buried in the graveyard at St Peter's.