DEDICATED volunteers who are vital in the running of a 400-year-old stately home attraction have been rewarded for their efforts.
Kiplin Hall and Gardens near Ripon is open as a historic house museum and a small team of staff run the attraction with support from over 160 volunteers, many of whom have been giving up their time for over a decade.
Each summer they are recognised at a celebration event called Charter Day, to mark the anniversary of the signing of the charter to colonise Maryland in North America.
George Calvert, the 1st Baron Baltimore, built Kiplin Hall, and his descendents founded Maryland. Strong links to the USA remain to this day.
At the Charter Day, volunteers are awarded long services badges for five, ten and 15 years of service.
Volunteer manager, Rosie Kluz, said: "Volunteers are a key part of Kiplin Hall and Gardens. They have roles across the organisation from gardeners to room stewards, trustees to receptionists. We simply couldn’t do it without them."
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