Volunteers often make history without knowing

HISTORIAN MERVYN EDWARDS LOOKS AT THOSE WHO GIVE UP THEIR TIME TO HELP OTHERS...

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N a recent Mervyn’s Memories article, we heard from evergreen Paul Niblett, a long-serving volunteer at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton.

Paul’s words were food for thought, and they set me thinking about the living memory history of volunteering across industry in North Staffordshire.

Such a subject is fair game to any historian, especially as the topic can reveal insights into how our area is operating “in the background.”

I’m also interested in what kind of jobs people did before they turned to volunteering.

A change of duties can sometimes be appreciable - but rewarding.

Barrie Swift, who volunteers for Newcastle Community Transport CIO, a small charity originally founded in 1974, agrees.

He said: “I took early retirement from a large bakery not far away from where we park our vehicles in Trent Vale.

“Wondering what to do with my life, I saw an advert asking for drivers to work for Newcastle Community Transport - which covers the whole of Staffordshire.

“Subsequently, I drove for them nearly every day and I have now been with Newcastle Community Transport for about 30 years.”

Like many great ideas, the organisation started tentatively and perhaps wasn't flush with resources.

Barrie says: “One of our drivers who was a social worker recalls going to an old wooden shed or garage to fetch our first minibus that allowed us to take young people on trips.

“Our first vehicle was a converted van provided by Audley Rotarians but its roof was so low that our passengers were in danger of banging their heads and they had to sit facing each other on long wooden seats!

“Whenever the minibus braked sharply, the passengers slid towards the front of the bus along the slippery seats. It was only after a few jumble sales at the Guildhall in Newcastle that we were able to afford some cushions and comfortable seats.”