Fancy a usually sunny afternoon at the Lee Manor Gardens ice house? Chatting to Lee locals and visitors from more distant parts? The Lee Manor Society is looking for more volunteers to staff its ice house openings during the months of April to September. We open for two hours from 3pm to 5pm on the first and third Sundays of the month. The volunteers work in pairs and supervise entry to the ice house and the sale of our leaflets.
The task is not arduous and much of your time will be spent talking to visitors. Some, particularly the younger ones, make frequent visits. For others it is a surprise to discover that the ice house exists and is open. Yet others will be visiting from afar and the ice house will be a discovery and a one-off. Our existing team works between one and three sessions a year so the demands on your time would not be excessive. Full instructions will be given.
The Society raised the funds to re-open the ice house in 2000 after it had suffered decades of neglect. On opening day in June 2000 the queue stretched round the park and we have had more than 30,000 visitors since. Most large mansions would have had an ice house up to the First World War but the arrival of mechanical refrigeration and social change meant many fell into ruin. The Manor House ice house is, in the Society’s view, one of the finest in London if not the UK. You can become a part of our history and spend an enjoyable afternoon in the park.. Contact leemanorsociety@gmail.com to find out more.