Friends of the Bure Valley Railway

VOLUNTEERING

I wonder how many of you have ever considered volunteering on the Bure Valley Railway and then decided not to proceed further. Why not?.........

I would not be at all surprised if the answers to the above question are as follows-

• I have no useful skills to offer the Railway
• I cannot spare enough time
• Every one who presently is either paid or is a volunteer is an expert.
  

If the above answers are the one or more that you gave then you could not be more wrong.

I know from my own experience that all you have to offer is enthusiasm. Any necessary training will be given as and when you need or wish for it. However much or little time you are able to offer the Railway will gratefully accept it. As for being an expert that only comes with experience and there are many so called experts who will say that they continue to learn and will never know it all.

Volunteers come from many and varied backgrounds and the duties that may/will be given to you as volunteer will also be many and varied. As time progresses you may well find that a particular interest or field on the Railway appeals to you. This may be working in the shop or engine shed or becoming a driver or a guard. The opportunities are almost endless.

There are those who are uneasy about taking the first step in introducing themselves to the Railway. I would suggest that one good way of easing yourself in is to attend one of the Volunteers evenings. These are held on the second Wednesday of each month from about 6.00p.m. until approximately 10.00/10.30p.m. There is always a member of the permanent paid staff on hand to supervise and to set out what the Railway would like to be done that evening. The whole evening is very informal and it gives a new volunteer the opportunity of meeting some of the other volunteers and also to get a feel of the Railway and what is involved.

You need only to turn up on the appropriate evening at the engine shed at Aylsham Station wearing suitable old clothing (as it can get rather dirty) and a pair of safety boots (to save your feet should you drop something heavy). If you would like further information do not hesitate to give myself or any other member of the Committee a call.