Volunteers play a strong role in region

9:31am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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The extent to which voluntary activity is booming in the North West has been revealed in new research from Zurich Insurance, which also highlights barriers and motivations to becoming involved in the local community.

Meanwhile, The National Trust at Acorn Bank Watermill, in the Eden Valley, near Penrith, has undergone a major transformation during the last year, thanks to a keen group of volunteers.

Research highlights �encouraging� state of volunteering

National Trust has the proof...

The three R's, Richard, Ray and Robert, have been working with Tim Martin from Context Engineering, to replace the perished parts of the wooden workings of the watermill which had decayed. Context was called in to create a new shaft for the pitch back wheel. Just the right piece of wood had to be found then seasoned and shaped before the metal workings were attached.

Volunteers will be using green oak from a local sawmill to re-place other rotten timbers in the lining boards and the buckets which hang on the wheel. One of the volunteers other tasks is to keep the wheel moist by turning it on a regular basis.

The work has been funded with the support of National Trust legacies. Volunteers will continue their work by replacing the rotten wood in the Launder and the winnowing machine and carrying out maintenance jobs.

Sara Braithwaite, Custodian, Acorn Bank, says: "I have been overwhelmed by the commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers who are working so hard to re-instate the watermill. It is a delight to see the wheel turning again."

To help us keep the wheel turning at weekends, we are seeking to increase our group of volunteers. If you are interested and would like more information, please ring Sara Braithwaite on 017683 61467.

Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill is open Tuesday, 15 March - 2 November, 10-5 pm, Tearoom 11 - 4.30 pm. Admission Adult £3.80, Child £1.90, Family £9.50. Free admission to the tearoom. Tel: 017683 61467.

Over a quarter (26 per cent) of adults in the North West have been involved in a community focussed activity in the last 12 months, giving up an average of three and a half hours per week to local causes.

The top motivators for getting involved include a desire to make the local community a better place to live (66 per cent) and give something back (45 per cent), while 28 per cent of local volunteers view charity work as a good way to meet people and 26 per cent say it's a way of combating issues which affect them personally.