Guest Blog - Liz and Janet's 12 months of volunteering.
12 Months of Volunteering at Foxlease Park. – By Liz Linkins and Janet Goring.
Two of our fabulous volunteers wrote their account of 12 months of volunteering for us for us to share with you. We remain grateful for their ongoing support and we hope you enjoy hearing about what they've been up to!
As we sit down to write our reflections on a year of volunteering with Foxie’s Future at Foxlease Park, it now seems odd to think how anxious we were this time last year, waiting for the news that Foxie’s had secured the sale. How much we cried at the announcement and how quickly we answered the call to volunteer.
We volunteered as we wanted to return to Foxlease and help bring it back to life for a wider community use, whilst honouring our happy memories and the history and heritage of what we had since childhood known as “our house in the forest.”
We had sobbed as we drove down the drive in October 2023, they were tears of sadness and frustration. We sobbed as we turned into the drive, halted to deal with the barrier, then drove very slowly to the car park, this time the tears were of joy and the excitement was all about new beginnings.
We arrived at Foxlease Park on the 7th day after the sale was complete to volunteer our time, we eagerly said to Hazel, we don’t mind what we do, will do whatever you need us to do.! This is a good time to say that what struck us first about this new charity was how professional and organised it was. Forms to fill, code of conduct and policies explained, health and safety was paramount, and our well being taken care of with copious amounts of refreshments available at any time.
Over the last year we have offered our time through most of the year, perhaps 1-2 days most months, we now reflect on what we have got up to.
We have together, side by side done the following tasks.
The Saddest One. The first day in The Lodge walking round recording all that needed to mended, replaced, repaired or cleaned.
The Most Satisfying. The day we started to clean The Lodge, as the dust, dirt and dead flies were sucked up the vacuum, the mould washed off the windows and frame, and walls washed clean, we could see how our efforts were making the difference.
The Great Team Spirit. The day we helped clean the three properties at the top of the Link field to prepare for their sale. There was an army of volunteers on that day, in and outside of the properties, cleaning, scrubbing, ripping out the overgrown garden, fires burning rubbish, windows being doused with water. It was like a band of ants all intent on doing their little bit. Willing Hands made light work.
The Most Gruelling Task. Without a doubt was spending 5 hours on our hands and knees in the Barn, scrubbing at the floor with a green scratchy pad and cream cleaner to lift off the years of ingrained dirt and splatters of paint. We only managed a strip approx. 1m wide and the length of the barn. It was rewarding to see the bright blue result but still so much left to do.
The Coldest. Taking down the Christmas wreaths and swags from the Front Porch in January.
The Hottest. Weeding the Archery area in full sunshine.
The Wettest. Building a hidden Fairy Grotto in torrential rain.
The Funniest. Moving and hiding a double bed and mattress in a secret cupboard above the coach house.
The Most Pleasant. Strimming and tidying the area around the lake.
The Wow, Look What We Have Done. The afternoon we cleared out a multitude of items, cleaned away cobwebs, scrubbed the walls and floors of the room, which now houses Foxie’s Shop, in readiness for painting.
Our Favourite. Being asked to take the floorplan of the main house and walk around the whole building to mark which radiators were not working. Excitedly, exploring the whole of the house and finding places we had never seen before or knew existed. Such Fun.
The End of the First Camping Season. Taking down the shower curtains, sterilising toilet brushes, moving altar fires into the huts. Checking the camp buildings for any repairs.
Heartfelt Moments. Hearing the sounds of young happy voices back at Foxlease Park. Viewing all the bookings on the board in the office. Driving down the drive and noticing how bright, clean and lush all the grounds look.
Liz’s Favourite Time, was tidying up the tools shed.
Janet’s Favourite Time, enchanting 90 young members of a school with stories traditional and one very new one of the Fox called Foxie.
Our reflection on volunteering even if, a couple of times we have been challenged by the tasks, we have had a great time, lots of fun with others on site, very rewarding to see the progress and it has made us feel very connected with Foxie’s Future and their aims for the future.
Our last note is for two other Volunteers/Trustees, who quite simply have gone above and beyond in all endeavours to bring Foxlease Park up to a very high standard daily. THANK YOU to Hazel and Emma, for your efforts and continued commitment to the Foxie’s Future Charity. We have merely drifted in and out and done what we can, you both are there daily doing what has to be done, with patience, determination, great humour, and true style.
