ARDEN DFAS HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteers are a group of over twenty members of the Society who have joined together to provide a work force for various heritage projects in the area.

Heritage Volunteers are an important component of the National Organisation. The charitable status of NADFAS is based in part on the existence of Heritage Volunteers in each of its associated societies. The Society is pleased to be very active in this area.

The Heritage team at NADFAS House in London scrutinises and approves all projects. Training is provided by experts nominated by NADFAS or by the receiving organisation.

• Middleton Hall, Tamworth
  An inventory of items in the museum. The project will start on 4 March 2008.

• Ragley Hall, Alcester
  Work in the Ragley Hall library starting with training on 6 March 2008 and, after that, fortnightly visits.

• King's Norton Restoration, (BBC Restoration Project Winners 2004)
  Sewing period costumes for children who visit the museum. Work will start in the Spring of 2008.

Since inauguration in 2003, the group has worked in local churches of:
St Giles, Packwood; St Mary the Virgin, Lapworth and St Michael, Baddesley Clinton.
The work has involved the conservation of woodwork, pews, screens and pulpits.

The work in the Textile Conservation Department of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has been completed. All the costumes in the Collection were rehung and the Volunteers covered the hangers in readiness. The collection has now been removed to new premises.

A small team has refurbished dining chairs at the National Trust property at Coughton Court.

Work with the Volunteers is rewarding. New friends are made and new skills acquired. The level of commitment is the choice of the volunteer. The current projects involve working on one day per fortnight, as a maximum. Additional Volunteers are required. For more information please contact : Anne Foster, tel 0121 705 2931

Our sister Society in Solihull runs an active Church Recorders group. Several of our members work with this group but there is an immediate need for more volunteers.

The work involves many practical interests including paintings, woodwork, metalwork and architecture as well as the need for direct recording skills including inventory and photography.

If you would like to be involved, please contact Anne Foster or Sheila Williams who can liaise with the Solihull organiser.