Matthew: my experience volunteering with Wakefield Museums and Castles

Hi everyone, I'm Matthew, one of the volunteers who helped out at this year's amazing Dragon Egg Week at Pontefract Castle. I started with a work placement from my college in July of last year. Kelly and Vicky must have done something right since I eventually came back to volunteer, starting as a young volunteer in August of the same year. I turned 18 this year and become an adult volunteer.

I've always been into history, visiting many castles and museums as a kid. I’m now taking it as an A level at Pontefract College. It seems only natural that I would find myself volunteering. Although I'm fairly new to the team, I haven't let that stop me from getting stuck in!

Me on a childhood trip to a castle

Across the summer I helped with the children's activities and crafts (and had a lot of fun doing it). Fast forward to the new year and I was back at it again, helping in the reference room in Pontefract Museum. Whilst volunteering I have loved meeting members of the public who share the same passion for history that I do. This is one of my favourite things about volunteering.

This year I've been helping out at the Dragon Egg Week and enjoying every second of it. I spent Monday and Tuesday as Ilbert's dutiful assistant, meeting many very excited children and stopping him getting up to his usual mischief.

For the rest of the week I welcomed visitors to the castle, including our very own MP and Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper. On Thursday I was joined by the wonderful Tor to help me on the gate. Together we welcomed over 900 visitors which was truly wonderful to see. What was even more wonderful was all the smiles on people's faces throughout the day. I also managed to turn my hand to being a squire on Thursday, helping prepare Dave the Knight for his appearance. This proved surprisingly difficult but good fun, nonetheless.

Greeting visitors as they show up for a day of Dragon Egg fun at Pontefract Castle