Local history enthusiasts and friendly faces wanted!

Calling all history lovers! The Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust (SNHT), which cares for the local museum as well as Sturminster Newton Mill, is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to dedicate a few hours each week to the charity.

The Museum, which is entirely run by volunteers and is free for everyone to enjoy, chronicles the history of the local area from the Romans to the present day. With regularly changing exhibitions on different aspects of local history, and a fascinating collection of objects on display, Sturminster Newton Museum seeks to provoke feelings of nostalgia for long-time residents, inspire a new generation to learn about local history, and provide interest and entertainment to visitors passing through the town.

Meanwhile at Sturminster Newton Mill, specially trained millers lead guided tours of the historic space, while keeping heritage skills alive with Milling Weekends, where visitors can see flour milled using traditional methods – later available to purchase in the shop. Whether they’ve travelled miles for a long-awaited tour of the mill, or just popped by on their weekend stroll to picnic by the mill pond, visitors are treated to a warm welcome four days a week from March – September by the friendly team of volunteer stewards.

The Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust also works in partnership with local schools to involve young people in research projects, work experience, and opportunities to connect with the history and heritage of the place where they live. Most recently Sturminster Newton High School students took part in the Trust’s Swanskin Seafarers of Sturminster research project, connecting with young people in Newfoundland, Canada, who had shared North Dorset heritage with them.

All of this work is made possible due to the hard work of volunteers – local people with a few hours to spare each week who take on roles in the museum and mill. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone has different skills and experience to contribute. Whether you’re a keen baker who could contribute fresh scones to a fundraising cream tea, or a friendly people-person who would love to spend a few days greeting visitors to the mill or museum, the Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust would love to hear from you. If neither of those roles sound appealing, the SNHT is always looking for muscle power – erecting gazebos and lifting chairs to help set up for community events and summer holiday activities.

Interested parties should contact Zilla Brown, Secretary of the Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust, on 01258 473178.