Working Fridays At Woolbeding Gardens

January is often a quieter month, and for me it is a time to slow things down slightly and focus on the things I genuinely enjoy. One of those is my volunteering work at Woolbeding Gardens, a National Trust property near Midhurst, where I spend my Fridays looking after a remarkable piece of engineering history.

Woolbeding Gardens are open to the public every Thursday and Friday from Easter through to the end of October. Visitor numbers are carefully managed at around 240 people per day, with parking based in Midhurst and shuttle buses running up to the gardens and back throughout the day. This helps preserve the tranquillity of the site and makes the experience far more enjoyable for everyone.

For the past couple of years, I have worked on National Trust properties through my role with a local carpentry company, often spending time at Woolbeding. When I decided last year to move to a four day working week, it felt like the right moment to give something back. I offered my services on Fridays as a volunteer, taking responsibility for the historic Beam Pump.

My role involves starting the pump, keeping it running safely, carrying out light maintenance, and most importantly, explaining its history and workings to visitors. The Beam Pump harnesses the power of the river via a water wheel, pumping water up to the main house and into its water tower. The original pump dates back to the 1790s, with the current beam configuration installed around 1846 to provide greater power.

After many years out of use, the pump had fallen into disrepair and was close to disappearing into the river altogether. In 2015, the entire system was carefully restored and brought back into working order. Unfortunately, a combination of the Covid years and problems with the external decking meant visitors were unable to access the Pump House until last summer. Repairing that decking was something I was able to help with as part of my day job, which made reopening the pump to the public even more satisfying.

During the autumn and winter months, I visit less frequently, but I still go in when needed to run the pump and deal with any maintenance tasks the estate requires. It is work I find genuinely fascinating and very rewarding.

Once I have closed down the Beam Pump at Woolbeding, my Fridays usually continue with a quieter but equally meaningful visit. I spend an hour chatting with a 91 year old lady living with dementia at a local care home, simply keeping her company and sharing conversation. It is a small thing, but it matters.

Volunteering like this keeps me grounded. It reminds me of the value of time, community, and care for both people and places.

Dave’s work and volunteering are rooted in the South East, and his house sitting services naturally reflect that same local focus. You can explore how this service operates in different areas by visiting the House Sitting Sussex page, the House Sitting Hampshire page, the House Sitting Surrey page, or the House Sitting London page.