On Friday the 25th of October, 14 colleagues from Estates and Facilities took a trip to Seaton Delaval Hall to work as volunteer gardeners for the day under Newcastle University’s colleague volunteering scheme. It was a really rewarding experience, so read on to hear more about our day!
Seaton Delaval Hall is a National Trust grade 1 listed building in Northumberland, with stunning formal gardens and relaxed, biodiverse woodlands. The property was designed in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval.
Our role
The lovely team of gardeners briefed us on our role for the day – to assist with digging, weeding and pathway edging in the Oval. The Oval Garden was once the location for the notorious Delaval parties, but today it is a perfect space for a peaceful walk or picnic. We made our way around the perimeter of The Oval using shovels, lawn edging tools and leaf rakes to create a border between the lawn and the hedge. Volunteering provided a great opportunity to spend some time outside and we also spotted a variety of wildlife including pheasants, a 22-spot yellow ladybird, and a lot of worms! It was great to get stuck in, and (especially as a new member of the team), get to know everyone a bit better in a relaxed setting.
After a coffee and lunch break at the on-site Brewhouse Café, we got back to work and finished off the job. As a thank you for our help, Senior Gardener Sarah Peilow gave us a tour of the grade 2 listed Seaton Delaval Hall gardens, where we got to see the Halloween decorations around the hall, and the vibrant garden.
Benefits of Volunteering
- It is a fulfilling way to spend the day!
- You can chat to new people and gain valuable skills.
- It can make a positive difference to our local community.
- It can strengthen your teamwork abilities!
- It can enhance your mental and physical wellbeing.
- If you partake in volunteering outdoors, it can provide opportunities for colleagues to build a connection with the environment and local wildlife.
Thank you so much to the team at Seaton Delaval Hall for being so welcoming and supportive throughout the day, and for the work they do to keep the site so beautiful. Also, thank you to James Adshead for organising the day! I would highly recommend for other colleagues at the university to take advantage of the volunteer scheme which offers two paid volunteering days with a charity each year. More information on the colleague volunteer scheme can be found here, and find out how you can volunteer at Seaton Delaval Hall here.
References
National Trust, 2023. Seaton Delaval Hall. Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall?awc=3795_1730111269_89f2fe73ec40fc50fb7dc0077ab113f5&campid=Affiliates_Central_Mem_AWIN_Standard&aff=271445&dclid=CIKW-NzusIkDFe9GHQkdq8su6w (Accessed 4 Nov, 2024).