Steve Pickard is one of our current volunteers at York Castle Museum. Like many of our volunteers, he volunteers in different areas of the museum so every day can offer a new experience. Here, Steve tells us his story so far.

I have been volunteering at York Castle Museum for just over two years now. When I took early retirement in 2013, I wanted something to get me out of the house for a couple of days a week. Having a keen interest in military history, I applied as a volunteer for the ‘Hands on Here!’ activities at the museum and have loved every minute of it.

Having gained experience, I have broadened my volunteering to include giving lunch time talks on First World War topics (including the German Bombardment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool, and the York Zeppelin raids). Since May this year I have also volunteered in the chemist’s on Kirkgate.

I have a vested interest in the chemist’s since my father was a pharmacist working on Bishopthorpe Road until 1965, and some of the objects in the chemist’s actually came from his shop, Sherwin’s Pharmacy. My father also did locum work for John Saville’s grandson, John, and his son Michael Saville and I actually met both of them.

I really enjoy volunteering in the chemist’s and interacting with visitors, especially when explaining to them some of the Victorian remedies for ailments. About a month ago I had a gentlemen from Somerset who asked me if I had a remedy for ‘Farmer Giles’.

I must have been a bit slow that day as it took me a minute to realise he was referring to piles! We eventually got to talking about the Victorians’ love for suppositories and enemas. I was showing him the box behind the counter for giving an enema when he started turning green and suddenly said he had to find his wife…

I have also had a number of visitors who were themselves pharmacists or who worked as assistants for firms such as Boots or Timothy Whites. They have been really interested in the items on display. In fact one lady has told me about a shop she works for in Darlington which, as well as selling all the modern medicines, is actually laid out like a Victorian pharmacy and has all the old cures as well.

I would certainly recommend volunteering on Kirkgate. It really has been great fun dressing up and interacting with visitors.

 

To find out more about volunteering and to apply to be a volunteer, visit our website here.