Who’d have thought that a visit to Ford Park Cemetery with a local history society would would be so enjoyable and interesting it would mark the beginning of active voluntary service there for more than a decade?
Rod Pickles (pictured) was puzzled when the Land Registry History Society had arranged to come to the cemetery in 2006. He hadn’t appreciated back then the wealth of history and human interest stories to be found at the cemetery. Volunteer Pat Luxford was the visit guide and the experience was so interesting a return visit the following year was organised.
Within weeks of retiring in the summer of 2007 Rod joined Ford Park Cemetery Trust as a volunteer supporter.
Since then he has given talks about the cemetery on site and to audiences in the wider community; guided tours and helped out at a variety of events. He has also served as Chairman of the Friends of Ford Park Cemetery on three occasions. Rod is currently supporting the Trust as the Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Reflecting on the rewards from this voluntary service Rod says it is feeling he has contributed to the success of an event which either raises valuable funding for Ford Park Cemetery or engagement with the local community it serves.
His proudest moment was the publication of the booklet he researched and wrote about the RAF airmen laid to rest at Ford Park Cemetery.
Volunteering has many benefits:
It provides a sense of purpose.
Volunteering is about becoming part of something greater than yourself as an individual.
It provides opportunities to socialise and work towards a shared goal with other people from all walks of life, combatting social isolation and loneliness.
It improves self-esteem and confidence and you can learn new skills.
And it can be fun and immensely satisfying!
If you would like to give a little time to help out at Ford Park Cemetery we would love to hear from you.
You might like to do physical tasks like gardening, baking or set up for and host at our fundraising and community events.
Or carry out simple admin and research jobs.
You can call our office 01752 665442 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
