Bee Keeping Workshop

On Sunday June 12, our volunteer beekeepers Cerys, Sarah, Matthew and Jacky held a workshop at the Education Centre to discuss the ins and outs of beekeeping at the Palace.

They talked about the history of bees at Fulham Palace and why they've been reintroduced.  They explained what goes on in the hive, what goes into looking after them and how honey gets from the hive to the jar.

The guests were then invited to watch the bees in action in the observation hive and to have a taste of the honey from last year's crop.

If you missed the workshop an 8oz jar of Fulham Palace honey is available to buy from the Museum Shop.  Please click here for the Shop’s opening times.

If you would like to get involved with bee keeping at the Palace please do get in contact with Jacky and the other apiary volunteers on volunteer@fulhampalace.org

Share your volunteering stories in June

'Volunteers Week 2016' is coming up in June, and we here at the Volunteers Portal will be sharing stories of some of Fulham Palace's 190-plus volunteers. That means you! Tell us what brought you to Fulham Palace when you first started out, or what keeps you coming back now.

We want to hear about why you volunteer at the Palace, and if you've got any interesting pictures or anecdotes please do send them along to volunteerwebsite@fulhampalace.org , or drop by and have a chat with us on Monday or Tuesday. Video and audio clips also welcome (we can help with that). No story is too short!

If you come along to the Volunteer Summer Party in July you might get a chance to meet some of the lovely people featured here on the Portal. Don't forget to RSVP, which you can do here.

To help us get started I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I'm Juliana, one of the Communication Assistant volunteers. You can find me at the computer in the Education Centre on Tuesday mornings. I started volunteering at Fulham Palace to learn more about the museum and heritage sector, and am looking forward to meeting lots of interesting new people. Volunteering at such a beautiful site is a treat, I look forward to seeing how the garden changes over the coming months. I have also heard tales of the Bothy Biscuits. I'll come check them out if the Learning Centre ever runs out of cake -- unlikely!

Juliana Malzoni
Volunteer Communication Assistant

The Volunteers of Fulham Palace

Alexandra Palumbo - Volunteer Events Assistant

When did you first come to Fulham Palace? 

I just arrived in Putney three months ago, so when I caught sight of the park I thought it must have been a nice place to go visit in the future, but I didn’t have a clue it was so large and important in the area. This summer, as I was looking for things to do and visit around here, I ended up on the website talking about Fulham Palace and I went to have a walk and see with my own eyes! It’s through the website I saw there were volunteering vacancies and I decided to apply.

What is your role and what does that involve?

I started as an Event assistant, which means I will be involved in the administrative and practical tasks to prepare this season’s events. I would also like to have a go at learning activities, and why not communication if I can do some time.

How often do you volunteer?

I try and come at least once a week, but I hope to come twice on the weeks I have more free time.

What is your favourite thing about Fulham Palace? 

I like the fact it is completely quiet and you have a feeling as if you were out of the city for a moment. It is a beautiful place, and the Palace itself as well as its garden and outdoors, so it is difficult to say one favourite thing. It would either be the history of the place which I find really interesting or the walled garden.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

The fact that I feel like participating to a good cause, which is protecting and bring out a piece of the English / London heritage, meeting new people and learning things for myself.

Would you like to share anything else about your experience?

I have just started so I cannot say I have already a huge experience of the place and the work here, but I am looking forward to it!

The Volunteers of Fulham Palace

Kathy Stevenson - Volunteer Gardener

Besides her role in the garden, Kathy also joined the Learning team recently to help with some events for the little ones.

When did you first come to Fulham Palace?

 I joined the gardening team in March this year. 

What is your role and what does that involve?  

I am on ‘Team Thursday’ and do whatever jobs the gardeners ask, which depends on the season. In early spring this means planting seeds in trays and potting on seedlings which have outgrown their spaces. Then there is the constant tidying up of the garden beds, tree circles and pathways where an event or wedding is scheduled to take place. In summer, I help set up the barrow for the day with produce, plants, flowers, homemade jams and chutneys… and whatever else we can entice the public to buy! 

How often do you volunteer?

 At least 2 days in the gardens, most weeks.  The place gets under your skin.  (I also help with the school programs but that’s a story for another day!)

What is your favourite thing about Fulham Palace? 

Of course the Walled Garden is a haven of tranquility, but it’s definitely the people – staff and volunteers alike.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?  

Oh, lots! I love being outside all day; talking with the public about everything from their connection to the Palace to how they cook rainbow chard; working with a fantastic garden team who are as patient as they are dedicated, and just as fun to be with.  

Would you like to share anything else about your experience? 

Simple pleasures: On my very first day I was scraping weeds off a path outside the nursery. A robin came to join me and it was soon apparent he was there for the occasional upturned grub or moth. I had no idea a robin would come so close, and I was enchanted. 

The Volunteers of Fulham Palace

Jane Swithinbank - Volunteer Garden Tour Guide

As a Garden Tour Guide, Jane knows every single corner of the Palace's lands and can also give you historical details about trees, plants and Bishops. Keep an eye at Fulham Palace 'What's on' page for upcoming tour dates.

When did you first come to Fulham Palace?

I have found an entry in my diary dated 28th May 1977 where I say that my husband and I 'walked in Bishops Park and the ground of the Palace which are lovely!' That was the very next day after we decided to move to Fulham. Since then I have spent many happy hours with friends there. 

What is your role and what does that involve?

I am Garden Guide which involves taking people around the grounds and telling them about the noteworthy trees and the Bishops who had a great influence on the evolution and changes to the gardens over the centuries.

How often do you volunteer?

It varies according to what Tours are booked and who is available for them and the Turn Up Garden Walks. We also do Open Squares Weekend. It probably works out at about once a month.

What is your favourite thing about Fulham Palace?

This is a extremely difficult question to answer. Like many people I am very fond of the walled garden and the old wisteria but I do have some favourite trees like the Black Walnut, Himalayan Birch for its beautiful and very useful bark and the Paperback Maple which adds a special glow outside the Chapel even in the dark days of winter. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy the interaction with the people on the walks and passing on some knowledge I have gained and, I hope, still gaining and seeing their enjoyment of the unique Fulham Palace. It is also fun to meet the other volunteers and staff who make it what it is today and I particulary admire all the 'green-fingered' ones!

Would you like to share anything else about your experience?

Just what a joy and privilege it is to be part of it all. 

The Volunteers of Fulham Palace

Jacky Perry - Volunteer Gardener, Beekeeper and Bodger

One of our volunteer representatives, Jacky Perry, enjoys volunteering in the garden and being surrounded by our friendly bees. But what she likes most is working along fellow volunteers, staff and visitors of Fulham Palace.

When did you first come to Fulham Palace?

I came to work on the community dig in the walled garden about 3 years ago and then joined Fulham Palace volunteers but I've been a regular visitor to Fulham Palace since I moved to Fulham 30 years ago.

What is your role and what does that involve?

I started as a volunteer gardener and now I'm a beekeeper and a bodger as well.

How often do you volunteer?

I do gardening and the hive inspection on Tuesday and I come in for bodging twice a month on Fridays. I'm also the volunteer representative for archaeology.

What is your favourite thing about Fulham Palace?

My favourite thing about Fulham Palace is the tranquility of the walled garden. Even when the flight path is busy, it's still a wonderful place to be.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

The people.

Would you like to share anything else about your experience?

It's been wonderful seeing Fulham Palace being brought back to life over the years and I feel very lucky to be part of it!

The Volunteers of Fulham Palace

Vanessa Graham-Dixon - Volunteer Visitor Reception Assistant 

As many of us, Vanessa Graham-Dixon stumbled upon Fulham Palace by accident. However as she says this 'hidden gem' engaged her from  the beginning and now she is one of our fantastic volunteer visitor reception assistants.

When did you first come to Fulham Palace?

My first visit to Fulham Palace was over 10 years ago and it was a friend who brought me. It was summer and we sat on the grounds. 

What is your role and what does that involve?

My role as a volunteer is as a visitor reception assistant.

How often do you volunteer?

I tend to do at least 2 afternoons or mornings per week.

What is your favourite thing about Fulham Palace?

My favourite thing about Fulham Palace is the tranquility. I find the view from the reception area very relaxing as I look onto the Tudor's courtyard with its lovely fountain.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy being efficient. Also learning all the different aspects of running a historical building fascinates me. Especially how to integrate it into contemporary life without losing its historical integrity.

Would you like to share anything else about your experience?

Fulham Palace is a hidden gem.