Celebrating our Volunteers
We can’t possibly celebrate our Birthdays (that’s right, did we mention we are having two?) without acknowledging the people who have helped make it all happen. Rather than listing all of them (and there’s lots!) this post focuses on our fabulous volunteers, and what better way to glimpse into the life of our supporters than hear directly from our longest standing volunteer, Maggie:
“My experience of volunteering at the Town Hall began in a very low-key way about 12 or so years ago at a rickety little table in the foyer of the Old Building. A working party had been looking at new ways of using the building and ensuring its future for the community in Hebden Royd.
“As I had just ‘downsized’ to working four days a week, I offered a bit of time on Friday mornings – and so ended up sitting at a little desk in the old part of the building, welcoming visitors, telling them about the plans and asking them how they would like the Town Hall to be used.
“Hebden Bridge Community Association was founded in 2008 and my duties expanded to signing up Friends of Hebden Bridge Town Hall and distributing mugs! While the re-development of the building was in progress, volunteering duties took a bit of a back seat but since 2012, when the current building was finished, I have been a member of a dedicated team of volunteers who help with reception duties, greeting visitors and assisting with enquiries.
“It’s been a privilege to watch the Town Hall develop and become such a valuable and well-used community building, to work alongside staff and the other volunteers and to help with enquiries that land at the desk.
“Requests vary wildly: anything from composting bags to town-centre maps, change for car-parking to searches for lost property, appeals for directions, and even help with missing dogs! As a volunteer, you have to be prepared for anything!
“The Town Hall came into its own during the Boxing Day floods when it became a real community hub, being one of the few buildings in the town centre to escape serious damage …and it was very sad to see it closed to visitors during the first months of the pandemic.
“Despite these challenges the Town Hall is thriving and busy, the café courtyard continues to be a great place to sit on a sunny day and vibrant exhibitions and events are returning – as are tourists and visitors - as restrictions have eased. I didn’t expect to be a Town Hall volunteer for so long… but my Friday mornings wouldn’t be same without it!’
- Maggie Woods, Hebden Bridge Town Hall Volunteer
HBCA wouldn’t be the organisation it is today without our volunteers, and we are indebted to their enthusiasm and ongoing support. If you’d like to hear more about volunteering opportunities at Hebden Bridge Town Hall please get in touch!
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