Dear SSNTV,
As you may well have read and heard the NT has closed all of its properties to visitors and volunteers due to coronavirus; as a result, all of the SSNTV proposed workdays are, sadly, cancelled until the NT reopens its gates.
The committee is preparing a new work programme which envisages a possible re-start date of June 2020. While there is no certainty that we will be able to get out again then we can hope, and are at least prepared.
We continue to hope and plan too, for our SSNTV 40th birthday preparations with a proposed gathering at Wightwick on 4 July and the bonfire party/open workday on 6 – 8 November at Dudmaston but again, these are provisional given the current uncertainties.
I know that we all appreciate the effort that goes into making these events happen; we will continue to prepare for a return to normal Sunday service as soon as we can, so please don’t get any other ideas for your time!
Some of you will have seen the NT press release stressing the gratitude for the work of volunteers and looking forward to welcoming us back. For those that have not seen it an extract follows below:
The volunteering contributions of NTV groups are enormously valued – by the Trust as a whole, and particularly by the individual properties where you volunteer. Robert Rhodes, Head of Countryside Management and Rangers, said of our volunteer groups ‘I am always humbled by the time, support and love people are prepared to give to the organisation I work for. It is extraordinary that in these crazy times people still want to volunteer to help – amazing commitment and a real show of how important we are to people.’
I know these are very strange times especially when the weather is so glorious.
I know too that I look forward to seeing you all, once we are allowed out. Please give me a call if you wish to have a word in the interim.
Best wishes,
Chris B
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 