Thursday 29 May 2014

Good news - I got a voluntary post!

Hello Everyone I hope you are all ok and happy.  It has been a busy day for me and I was up and dashing through Shropshire this morning at 7.30 to make sure that I was there bright and early for my interview.  I wasn't sure what to expect in my interview but it was so relaxed and enjoyable and the time just flew. I was asked if I would stay on for an induction which I was really pleased to do.  I was able to meet six other volunteers and we had a full and thorough grounding in to what was expected of us as volunteers. However I still didn't really know if I had a place or not until the end when a lady came into to measure us for our costumes - how exciting!  Now to give you a few clues, although I am sure you have already guessed.
 
This is one of my favourite shops in the village and I know you will have guessed where I am going.
 
 
 
 
How I love these bonnets, they are so pretty and it is wonderful to see them being made in the shop on an old fashioned Singer sewing machine.
 
 
Some of the very interesting artefacts in the shop, I would love some of these in my sewing room, what about you? 
 
 
The shop window shows the old Queen Victoria in mourning for her beloved Prince Albert.
 
 
Now you already know what I am going to say - yes I have been offered a place as a volunteer at Blists Hill - yippee!  I am over the moon as it has always been a place I wanted to work and I thought well why not volunteer.  I contacted them and was told that there was a long waiting list but could I fill in a form and send some references.  After a few days they asked me to go for an interview which was today but I went thinking that I would be put on a waiting list but now it seems as if it will happen rather more quickly.  I am so excited thinking about what cottage I will be in and what my costume will be like.  We were given some guidelines about not wearing any modern watches, earrings or brooches - they all have to be in the Victorian period.  We can only wear boots and no modern clothing at all so it all has to be authentic.  They suggested that I bring some sewing or knitting or rag rugs to make up whilst I am in my cottage so I am thinking of making up my lovely hexagons from Angela into a perfectly lovely bag which will be keeping with Victoriana.  I also have to make sure that the knitting pins are in the period so I need to make sure that everything is correct.  I also have to be instructed in making up the fire in the cottage I will be in - hopefully I won't set the whole place alight as it has been about 10 years since I lit a household fire.
 
Well my Lovelies I hope you are pleased for me and I will of course be telling more once I start my shifts.  Blists Hill is about 60 miles one way from where I live and I obviously need to make sure that I don't overdo things but I am thinking of going about twice a month to start with and see how it goes.  There are a lot of opportunities there which I am excited about and I will really enjoy working with the visitors and the staff/volunteers.  I was going to take lots of photographs today but it was just pouring with rain and not the best day to take any but rest assured you will be getting lots once I start.
 
Phew!  A great day and I actually lost the old dog today, I think I left him behind as I raced through Shropshire this morning and think he is still making his way back here, poor old thing!  As you know one of my big resolutions this New Year was to engage in voluntary work and I was feeling rather dejected as I couldn't seem to get anywhere with the elderly sector, however, that is all behind me.  I hope you have had a good a day as I have - I am sending you all huge hugs and loves - I hope you are enjoying your evening/day wherever you are in the world.  Do leave some comments if you have time as I love to hear from you all.  Lots of love to you Dorothy:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

21 comments:

  1. Well my dear friend, that is very pleasing news for I know how much you wanted to get into volunteering: isn't it strange how things work out, disappointment with the previous try but you know, there's always something else around the corner and it sounds like this post is right up your alley! Well done and all the very best with it, I'm very happy for you but .. .. .. please don't over-commit yourself or you'll meet yourself coming back one of these days, as the saying goes, haha!!! Looking forward to hearing more - this looks like a very exciting place to spend time in, especially for you with your keen interest in all things historical! Lots of love, Joy xoxo
    PS I'm also very happy you dropped off that old black dog again! x

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  2. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pleased for you, I can hear the excitement in your words as you were writing this post. This is brilliant and will be right up your street I should think Dorothy, as you can do some crafting and share your love and knowledge of that as well as meeting people and doing something interesting and so on. I really hope that you have a wonderful time doing it and that you love it!!!! Very excited for you!!!!!!! xxxx

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  3. How lovely for you; I'm so pleased. An elder gentleman, who was a regular visitor where I used to work, volunteers at the Ironbridge museums, and I know he loves it so much - he's in his 80's, and travels from North Derbyshire twice a month! And how exciting to be wearing authentic clothes!? Just don't do too much and over-stretch yourself, but enjoy it. :-) Jude.x

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  4. Awesome! Absolutely fantastic news, I am so happy for you. I can't wait to hear stories of your volunteer days! It is going to be very exciting. Take care, Louise

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  5. Great news. I volunteer in a school and also at a theatre. Some of the other volunteers are in their 80s and we used to have one in her 90s. It definitely keeps you young and active. Your new job sounds really interesting.

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  6. That's great news. congratulations! I hope you have a huge about of fun with your volunteering position.

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  7. Great news! I would love to do something like that, it sounds like great fun. :)

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  8. How fantastic! You are a lady to be admired. You are always so thoughtful of others and to volunteer your time as well. Not many would be as good as you. Very happy you've found somewhere and hopefully might escape that black dog for a while. It's the first time I've come across the black dog and it's touched me personally. I've forwarded the link on and think it's great to help show others what the 'D' word is actually like. So chuffed for you. Sending hugs xx

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  9. wow, what a great place to volunteer at. Hope you enjoy it x

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  10. This looks like a lovely thing to do. I can see why you are so excited. You have a lovely blog, I came across it being curious as my daughter is Dorothy or Dot as her friends call her. And she doesn't keep her room anything like yours! I also have to keep a beady eye on that black dog. Lots of good wishes to you.

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  11. That's brilliant Dorothy! I've been a couple of times and was struck by a particular cottage that was out on it's own - I think it was even attached to a pigsty! - and there was a woman inside making a rag rug. I was absolutely fascinated. I think you and your hexagons will fit right in! Well done and lots of well done hugs x Jane

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  12. How wonderful for you. I visited Blists Hill several years ago. What a fabulous place.
    I can't wait to see you in your costume and hear what you are going to make. I am interested in the sort of Knitting needles that they used. I wonder what they were made from?
    Hugs

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  13. Congratulations and glad you've managed to outrun that, old black dog!
    Jacqui x

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  14. Congratulations Dorothy - I haven't heard of Blist's Hill so I'm off to check it out!
    Take care!

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  15. I am so very glad for you, Dorothy. It sounds like something that is perfect for you. I do wish I could come and visit. Alas, the pond is too wide to swim!

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  16. Dorothy this is fantastic news! How wonderful to be able to immerse yourself in all that social history. I have been to Blist's Hill some years ago-it's a fabulous place, so atmospheric. I would love to dress up in the costume too! It may be quite a trek for you but when it is something you really enjoy it never feels so far, it will be so exciting! Look forward to hearing all about it. Have a lovely, relaxing weekend
    Alison xx

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  17. Hey that is great, don't forget to post when you are going to be there because we live 2 miles away and I want to go in all the houses and cottages and play hide and seek with Dorothy! I love it in the haberdashery. My friend works there too sometimes she makes bread in the bakery and sometimes she is in the railway house. Jo x

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  18. Wonderful news! This is a new place to me and looks just amazing, it will have to go on my 'must visit one day' list. x

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  19. Wonderful to hear this news, dear Dorothy!! You are perfect for this, with your love of history and crafts! I hope you have many happy hours in 'your' cottage! Blists Hill is on my 'to visit' list too.
    Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

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  20. Well done, Dorothy, I'm so happy for you. I only live about 25 minutes away from Blist Hill and is one of my favourite museums around this area. It's wonderful at Christmas when they dress the cottages, Halloween is fun too. I'll have to find out when you're working next time we want to visit.
    Have a great weekend. Deb x

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  21. Oooh how exciting Dorothy I'm sending big congratulatory hugs and apologies for not commenting sooner but it's only just appeared in my blog list. I hope you have lots of fun and enjoy yourself.
    Take care my friend
    Hugs Jackie x

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