Crofton Beam Engines, part of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, invites expressions of interest for a new volunteer role in Groundscare who will play an important leadership and coordination role in the grounds presentation, conservation, interpretation, development and maintenance of a nationally and internationally significant heritage site and visitor attraction.

Crofton Pumping Station houses two historic beam engines in a Grade 1 listed building. It has recently been successful in obtaining a major Heritage Lottery Fund grant for significant building conservation and site development works. These works include major new features within the grounds which the role-holder will have a key role in developing together with an existing team of approximately 60 volunteers and staff who have roles encompassing all areas of the site’s activities. A new 1920s themed heritage garden is planned for development in 2018 as well as a new Outdoor Family Area, the function of which is to explain the purpose of Crofton and its connection with the canal, the role holder will have a significant strategic and hands-on involvement with these exciting projects.

We are seeking an experienced grounds keeping / horticultural professional who has experience of horticultural projects alongside planning, managing and leading both seasonal and reactive work programmes. These will ideally include working with gardens, hedge and tree care, lawned areas, watercourses and hard and soft landscaping to the highest standard, using professional knowledge and expertise to help a small team resolve routine and unusual challenges. The role requires a motivated volunteer with a keen eye for detail to maintain, upkeep and contribute towards the development of the heritage site with their high grounds keeping standards. A willingness to operate garden machinery and competence at carrying out routine machinery checks and basic maintenance together with colleagues is desirable, as is experience of a venue open to the public, a public realm site, and of non-profit organisations.

Specific Tasks:

• Planning an annual grounds keeping maintenance programme for both the hard and soft landscaped areas

• Planning and organising an annual schedule of equipment maintenance and equipment / consumables procurement when needed

• Planning and scheduling the delivery of enhancement and repair works within the grounds, as well as lead on reactive work and repairs as may be needed

• Assisting with the recruitment, retention, training and supervision of volunteers to deliver grounds keeping tasks, and organising rotas to deploy volunteers to routine and projectbased tasks as needed. Learning and Outreach groups may also be involved in certain elements.

• Undertaking appropriate risk assessments for grounds care and ensuring appropriate Health & Safety procedures/practices are met

• Working with the Management Team, volunteers and staff on the 1920s Garden project and the Outdoor Family Area project, ensuring these integrate with the existing grounds and are sustainable in the long-term

• Working with the Management Team to lead and plan Winter Works within the grounds

• Suggesting and the bringing to fruition new initiatives and projects to enhance the grounds and visitor experience at Crofton

• Attending Management Team Meeting when required and communicating with the Team via the Secretary when necessary.

The ideal time commitment is likely to be an average of one day per week on average across the year, flexible to the wishes of the person, and the role will report into the Management Team. For further information and a discussion please contact the Peter Turvey, Chairman, Crofton Beam Engines on crofton.chair@katrust.org.uk. Interested people are welcome to visit the site for an informal tour during normal opening hours – please contact Simon Hobson, Site Manager, at crofton.manager@katrust.org.uk to arrange.