Ryedale Folk Museum has unusual role on offer for volunteers

The museum is inviting anyone curious about volunteering to a drop-in information session on Tuesday (April 22), between 11am and 1pm.

This event, held in Hutton-le-Hole, will allow visitors to meet staff, learn about the museum’s community, and discover a variety of volunteer opportunities.

A highlight for some volunteers has been acting as official witnesses for couples eloping at the museum’s historic venues.

(Image: Supplied) Visitor experience and operations manager, Hannah Highsted, said: "We have a range of wedding locations of different sizes, and some are the perfect size for couples wanting to escape somewhere special for their elopement, including a Victorian cottage, a medieval-style crofter’s cottage, or even a 1950s village store.

"Another lovely elopement venue is the Iron-Age roundhouse!"

Hannah added: "There are so many ways to contribute here, but being a wedding witness is probably the most unusual!

"We’ve got two more ‘elopements’ planned this year - and we expect more!"

Volunteering at the museum is not limited to weddings.

Hannah explained: "Some of our volunteers enjoy stepping back in time by chatting to visitors in costume.

"This might be while cooking on the Victorian range or selling sweets in the 1950s village store.

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"Others prefer to share heritage skills, for example weaving at one of our looms, or rag rugging.

"We’re also particularly keen to speak to people interested in volunteering with our Front of House team, meeting and greeting visitors to the museum, or those who would like to help in our library."

For more details, visit Ryedale Folk Museum on April 22 or see their website.