Good response to over 50’s volunteer taster day

Friday June 12th 2015

Those who attended the Over 50’s Volunteer Taster Day at St Anne’s Cathedral are shown round by tour guide Vernon Clegg.

There was a good turnout for the over 50’s volunteer taster day organised at St Anne’s Cathedral by the Rev Janice Elsdon.

Janice welcomed a group of 12 potential volunteers who had a tour of the Cathedral conducted by tour guide Vernon Clegg, before Janice gave a presentation on volunteering in the Cathedral hall.

Volunteer steward Alwyn Tweed, a retired English teacher from Ballyclare, also spoke to the group. Alwyn spends his Friday mornings in St Anne’s talking to people from all over the world and says he loves it!

“There is nothing more enjoyable than meeting the many and diverse people who visit from all over the world,” Alwyn said.

Cathedral volunteer Alwyn Tweed talks about why he loves his role as a Steward.

After the presentations the group of 12 potential volunteers had lunch before leaving, many of them expressing a desire to be involved in volunteering in St Anne’s.

Janice, who is volunteer co-ordinator, said: “Volunteering in the Cathedral is an opportunity to meet new people, to learn more about the heritage of St Anne’s and to play a role in sharing the beauty of this place with others.

“I was very pleased with the interest shown on the day. People seemed to appreciate it, and a number of people expressed an interest in volunteering and we will follow this up with them.

“Virtually everyone who came along had little or no link with St Anne’s, and it was great to see so many people from outside the Cathedral community showing an interest in volunteering with us.”