01/02/2026
Meet February's Volunteer of the month, Carey.
Q: How did you first get involved with Little Woodham?
A: I'm part of the Hampshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, and they had an open demonstration at LW a couple of summers ago -- several of the LW villagers are also in the Guild, and suggested that I speak with the people on the committee about becoming a volunteer.
Q: Tell me what you do in the village.
A: I demonstrate and explain textile techniques, history, and practice -- so I spend my time in the village showing how wool and flax spinning was done on a hand-spindle with a distaff, and on the treadle and Great Wheel in the village. I am also a weaver, so I demonstrate weaving techniques and show how the counter-balance loom in the village is used. Sometimes knitting, sometimes nettle-work and cordage. Any other textile stuff as well, natural dyeing, other types of weaving techniques, textile prep, &c.
Q: What do you do in the 21st century?
A: I am a Senior Lecturer in Roman history at a university in Hampshire. I also have extensive experience with historical textile practices, going back to learning them when I was still in single digits, and I give public talks, workshops, and demonstrations for groups and at heritage/museum sites here in the UK and Germany.
Q: What is your favourite part of the day in the village?
A: In the early mornings, especially if it's one of the greyer days, when people are still setting up, and it's very quiet. It's a really lovely setting. Every time is different, across the season from earliest spring, high summer, and then early autumn.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering at Little Woodham?
A: If someone is interested in volunteering, I would encourage it -- and I would encourage them to spend some time observing (in modern dress); public engagement, especially in heritage education, can be really hard/tiring work -- but in a good way. Learning through observation and having a mentor was helpful for me. Sometimes I think it catches people unawares that it's more than just putting on kit. Try different things - having a specific skill or talent isn't a requirement, and some of our current volunteers took some time to settle into a role that either fills an interesting gap in what we offer, or complements a skill/set up already in place. The most successful volunteers I've met over the past three years cooperate and complement each other very well.
If you are interested in joining the Little Woodham team, either in costume or not, please email Lewis on [email protected]
