I was a volunteer in the deer park at a local NT stately home. I became deputy fuhrer to a Captain Mainwaring character who thought he owned the place. It was all about money, the property manager was a ' fine arts ' man who cared little about what went on outside the house, either in the park or on the 22 working farms, as long as the cash rolled in. Land was sold off for cheaply built, pricey to buy housing. In winter, when the house was closed and we couldn't get in to make a brew, we were allowed one free drink in the cafe but we had to sign a book so the cafe could claim the money from the estate, I asked the manager of the cafe how much did the wardens cost him. He replied ' I've no idea, I never claim it back...too much hassle '. The property manager and the estate manager came very close to facing corporate manslaughter charges when a Beech tree fell down and killed a young lad visitor. Lack of foresight and maintenance.
I devised on and off park guided walks, which were popular, work on the historic census of the three villages, even pond dipping with the schoolkids. After the deer cull, staff and volunteers were offered venison at hugely higher prices than the local butcher paid for it.
After some years in my Wednesday slot, having recruited enough wardens, I decided to come in on varied days as and when I wanted. I never took a penny in expenses but it was enough for them to sack me, by letter and even demand my badge back....which they didn't get !
All about the money !
Ted
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