Hall offers a dream job for lovers of history
ADREAM job has come up for anyone who has ever dreamed of working in a stately home.
The National Trust is seeking to employ a senior house steward to look after Old Rufford Hall and all its treasures.
The historic home, which is owned by the National Trust, is one of Lancashire’s finest 16th century Tudor buildings.
Applications are being invited for the fixed term nine-month contract to cover maternity leave, and candidates are expected to be passionate about conservation, delivering exceptional service and being imaginative.
This is a rare opportunity as the hall only employs 25 paid staff, and conservation roles rarely become available anywhere in the National Trust.
The Tudor Great Hall is a rare survivor from the 1500s, with 500 years of family history, so the walls have plenty of stories to tell.
It is also thought that Shakespeare may have spent a short time at Old Rufford Hall during his youth, as there is “reasonable evidence to suggest this,” according to the National Trust.
The role of senior house steward will entail ensuring the highest standards of conservation are met, assisting with budgeting, overseeing two members of staff and more than 120 volunteers as well as being responsible for all aspects of volunteer management.
The ideal candidate will have experience in caring for historic properties, an awareness of health and safety and managerial experience.
The current senior house steward, Katie Owen said: “It is a conservation-based role and they will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining many items, including suits of armour in The Great Hall which date back to the 1530’s.
“They will also be responsible for lighting the real log fire in the winter months and caring for the varied but wonderful Philip Ashcroft collection which includes a pennyfarthing, a man trap and a mangle.”
The new senior house steward will be expected to work weekends and Bank Holidays as part of a rota and work about 35 hours per week.
Applications close on June 18, with the provisional start date set at “mid-August 2018” and the position pays £16,363 per annum.
For details and to apply, visit www.nationaltrustjobs.org.uk.