Appeal for volunteers at Sunderland monument
Volunteers are being sought to take on roles at a Sunderland historic monument.
Ryhope Pumping Station, owned by Northumbrian Water and operated by the Ryhope Engines Trust, was built in 1868 to providd drinking water to Sunderland and the surrounding areas for 100 years, until 50 years ago it was converted into a popular
North East visitor attraction.
The volunteer-run museum is now a static exhibit open every Tuesday morning and Sunday afternoon, when volunteers meet to maintain the engines and do general tasks to help preserve the monument.
The site also holds around five steaming weekend events every year, giving visitors the rare chance to see this Victorian waterworks in action under steam power.
Vicky Cairns, external communications consultant at Northumbrian Water, said: "We are incredibly proud of this fine industrial heritage site and of the volunteers, who do an amazing job helping us to preserve it for generations to come.
"There are a range of volunteering opportunities on offer, so if you're looking for an opportunity to learn more and to add experience onto your CV or to fill up your spare time, then I urge anyone interested to get in touch."
Among the volunteer roles available are stoking the 1908 Lancashire boilers, helping to maintain the historic beam engines built by R & W Hawthorn, making ironwork and being a site blacksmith, and carrying out general maintenance and gardening work.
Officials say there no set minimum amount of time required to be a volunteer.
Anyone interested should email info@ryhopeengines. org.uk or visit www.ryhopeengines.org.uk