As part of National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the many interesting and valuable characters who contribute to making Harewood the place that it is….

Why do I volunteer?

I love working in such a beautiful place and helping visitors enjoy the House and Grounds.

What brought me to it?

After being retiring from teaching I wanted to do some other work with children and this seemed perfect.

What did I do?

Primary School Teacher
What three things do I enjoy?
Interacting with parents and children.
Working with other volunteers and staff.
Helping others to appreciate Harewood and its grounds.

What do I love most about Harewood?

Feeling as though in a very small way I am helping to ensure visitors appreciate and learn more of our history.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact volunteer@harewood.org 

As part of National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the many interesting and valuable characters who contribute to making Harewood the place that it is….

Why do I volunteer?

The ambience of the House and the fact that I love history and I am retired.

What brought me to it?

A friend was a volunteer and he thought I would be suitable for the House.

What did I do?

Worked for a lifetime as a solicitor.

What three things do I enjoy?

I learn something each time I come.
I meet interesting visitors who really do come from all over the world.
Both other volunteers and the staff are such a friendly bunch.

What do I love most about Harewood?

All the above but probably the history.

To find out more about volunteering volunteer@harewood.org

As part of National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the many interesting and valuable characters who contribute to making Harewood the place that it is….

Why do I volunteer?

Using my spare time to good advantage – social interactions with other volunteers and the public – the purpose seems very worthwhile.
What brought me to it?

It is the nearest stately home to my home.

What did I do?

I was a biology lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.

What three things do I enjoy?

Contact with pleasant, like-minded and friendly volunteers.
Gaining knowledge about a very complex topic (the history and fabric of the house).
Spending a day in such a special environment.

What do I love most about Harewood?

The views – to the north across to the deer and to the south across the terrace and the lake – magnificent.

If you are interested to find out more about volunteering, email volunteer@harewood.org

As part of National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the many interesting and valuable characters who contribute to making Harewood the place that it is….

Why do I volunteer?

I have always had a wish to give back, feeling that I am an extraordinarily fortunate person.

What brought me to it?

Living on the estate gave me the introduction.

What did I do?

Chief Executive of a small group of companies. Also chaired the committee of a newly formed charity called “Life for A Life “which reinforced my love of trees. My family and I own a wood in the Lake District where we planted trees for bereaved people.

What three things do I enjoy?

The people. Doing a bit of good one hopes. The view from the walled garden across the lake, which changes everyday of the year.

What do I love most about Harewood?

The staff and other volunteers. Otherwise it’s just pottering about as it’s a lovely place.

A weekend dedicated to making, music and merriment will be held at Harewood House this July with Aardman Animations the first announcement for the festival-style event that will feature demonstrations, workshops, street food, pop-up bars and live DJ sets.

Make It Harewood launches on 6 & 7 July 2019 in collaboration with Hole & Corner as part of the Harewood Biennial and its current first exhibition, Useful/Beautiful: Why Craft Matters and takes place in and around the Harewood Courtyard featuring a full programme of workshops and demonstrations, DJs and live music, a craft market, plus local food and drinks.

With over forty events across the weekend, visitors can pick from a selection of free drop-in sessions, alongside paid for experiences. They can observe, dabble and delve into an engaging programme of events and activities encompassing the many different sides of craft and presented by some of the world’s leading designer-makers and artisans. Whether throwing pottery, carving spoons or sculpting with paper, there will be something for all interests from intimate workshops to family sessions.

Comments Jane Marriott, Director, Harewood House Trust; “We’re extremely excited to be launching a new festival here at Harewood, which continues our exploration around the subject of Craft and its role in society today. As part of our focus to attract the best quality talent to Harewood for our visitors to enjoy, we couldn’t be more delighted to be working with Hole & Corner, who have been successfully creating amazing experiences at events such as Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall since 2015.

“Make It Harewood will offer a new perspective to all our visitors, with after-hours bars and live DJ sets, in addition to a wealth of talented artists and performers. As a charity, we are dependent on our Members and visitors; this vibrant new approach offers a great new platform to engage with Harewood and celebrate our unique craft heritage and why it matters to society today.”

Sam Walton, Creative Director, Hole & Corner; “We’re very excited to be heading to Harewood this July. This year marks the sixth year of Hole & Corner and over that time we’ve written about and collaborated with some brilliantly talented people. For Make It Harewood we’ve invited some of our favourite makers to join us in delivering what we feel will be a really special weekend of activity.

As well as opportunities to get involved with making, we promise a relaxed and enjoyable weekend with great food and drink, good music and a fun atmosphere.”

On Saturday 6 July, the House and gardens will remain open until 9pm, with live DJs and evening entertainment and pop-up bar in The Courtyard. A craft market also runs across the whole weekend.

Confirmed makers for workshops include:

– Aardman Studio (Model-making)
– Andy Singleton (Paper art)
– Claire Wellesley Smith (Stitching)
– Lola Lely (Natural dying)
– Leszek Sikon (Blacksmithing)
– Pottery West (Ceramics)
– Reiko Kaneko (Kintsugi)
– Smith Automata (Do Nothing Machines)
– Sunken Studio (Ceramics)
– Anna Casserly (Spoon Carving)

Make It will take place annually for the next three years, creating a weekend experience which focuses on creativity, craftsmanship, heritage and authenticity and which is fresh and different to anything else on offer in Yorkshire.

For further information follow @HarewoodHouse on social media and see biennial.harewood.org