Raising money from second-hand books

'The bookshop has now been running for 11 years and it's important to stress that we couldn’t have done it without the donations of books, the commitment of the staff, volunteers and Olga, who oversees and manages the whole effort. An interesting aspect of the book sales is that it has given visitors yet another reason to visit the property. Many phone in advance to ask if the bookshop is open. With luck they then spend in the restaurant and the Wimpole shop, adding to the income from book sales.

From a small idea it's fantastic how it has grown and how valuable the income is to help with the conservation work and also how the idea started at Wimpole has spread across this and other regions and properties in the National Trust.

Volunteer at second-hand bookshop, Wimpole Hall

Raffle ticket anyone?

'Raffle ticket selling is a very special skill. Someone’s already paid their entrance fee, or bought their gift, and there you are asking people to cough up even more money. But we've turned it into an art: Powis is the second most successful property at raising raffle cash.

I work with a team of two other volunteers. Between us, we sell tickets for 20 hours - that’s from 1pm to 5pm when the castle is open. I generally set up from around 12.30, but if the weather is particularly nice I will get to the property for about 11am. Generally we do quite well at Powis. Over the last seven years we have raised £250,000 through raffle ticket sales.

Projects supported by these funds have included the development of the orangery, display cases and curtains in the state bedroom. During 2004 one raffle ticket was sold for every six visitors to Powis.

It’s always very interesting at the castle and I work with a lovely group of people. I am an active member of the oral history group, so I sometimes interview old members of staff to record their experiences. I also enjoy embroidery as a hobby and often show my work if it’s relevant to something we’re promoting at the castle.

Joy Hamer, Volunteer Raffle Ticket Seller, Powis Castle