Different kinds of task that we undertake (page 2 of 2)
(previous page)
On Sundays and weekends, we perform very varied practical work for the National Trust in the area surrounding Cambridge. (For a background to the group, please read our introduction.)
These are held most weekends.
We’re happy to help organise car sharing from Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge, meeting at about 9.30am. (Make sure you contact the task leader beforehand!) The National Trust encourages this by reimbursing the cost of petrol to and from task sites where two or more people travel together, but as an alternative, you can make your way to a task on your own. We have a page with fuller travel instructions.
We start our day at around 10.00 by meeting a Trust representative who shows us the work that needs to be done. No skills are required, as everything is explained. We finish about 4.00 and are then usually supplied with free tea and cakes from the Trust restaurant. This always goes down well and allows a final chat and some recuperation before the journey home.
You’ll need to bring a packed lunch full of goodies as well as sturdy footwear, waterproofs, old clothing and a pair of gloves. It’s also worth remembering to take a hat for warmth in winter, or sun protection in summer. Sun block is also vital as work areas may not always be shaded. Most important, however, are enthusiasm and a sense of humour. We aim to be industrious but also make sure we have fun too.
These are held on average once every three months and can be at any Trust property throughout the country.
We usually travel to the property on the Friday evening, unpack, then head off and explore the area, usually ending up in a local pub. We stay in basecamps, which are specially built or converted stables, offices, barns etc. They contain beds, washing and cooking facilities and range from the basic to the luxurious.
On the first day we meet the Warden who explains the task detail and often works close along side us. As with Sunday tasks, we work from around 10.00 until 4.00. The evenings belong to us and entail cooking up some mouth-watering meal for the group followed by quizzes, games, a twilight walk, or a trip to the pub. On Sunday we work half a day, leaving the afternoon to explore further afield or visit the entire Trust property.
You will need to bring everything needed on a Sunday task – except food – plus changes of clothing and sleeping bag, as the beds have no blankets. The cost of a weekend away will be in the region of £10, which covers all food; the accommodation is free.
Travel arrangements will add a slight extra cost to this £10, as the Trust will not reimburse for travel outside the East Anglian region.
For more information, you might like to read the following:
(Technical note: These require a PDF viewer, which will most probably already be present on the computer you are using. If you have tried the links without success, you may wish to install Adobe Reader or similar software.)
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