The Volunteering Story - Olivia's Experience
When the time came to organise a placement as part of my course, completing it at the archives was the obvious answer. I have been volunteering for over a year at Cheshire Archives, to gain experience for my future career and to complement my current Master’s degree in Museums and Heritage Practice at the University of Chester.
During my placement, one of my main tasks was to appraise, describe and repackage a recent deposit received by the archives. The collection documents the history of Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival, a biennial arts and cultural event. The papers trace the festival’s development from its early concept stages in 2009 through to its final event in 2023, as well as legacy events held in 2025.
Some of the highlights uncovered within the files include:
A guide signed by musician Peter Hook (Joy Division and New Order) who performed during the festival in 2013 and 2015.
Copies of limited edition prints by artist Liliane Lijn, who presented an artwork called ‘moonmeme’ as a special commissioned installation at the 2016 festival.
A locally produced ‘zine’ documenting the brewing industry in Macclesfield.
Working with guidance from archivists and conservators, I removed non-archival packaging that the papers arrived in, including ring binders, paper clips and plastic wallets, to help protect them from deterioration over time. This work is essential in ensuring the long-term preservation of the records, allowing them to remain accessible to the public for research, learning and enjoyment, both now and in the future.
The papers were sorted into bundles by year and theme, checked to ensure at least one unique copy of each document was retained, placed in folders, tied with archival cotton tape (the knot may look simple, but it can take a few attempts to master!), boxed, and stored in one of the archive’s strongrooms.
Alongside this work, reference numbers were allocated according to the archive’s cataloguing procedure and written on the folders (using pencil, of course, nothing that can leave a permanent accidental mark is used near collections). Key information such as the reference number, title, description and date were recorded in a spreadsheet before being added to the archive catalogue, enabling users to identify and locate the material.
Through this experience, I have not only developed a stronger understanding of archival practice to support my studies, but also a deeper connection to the place I live. Working with these collections has given me a greater appreciation of Cheshire and its communities. Overall, the volunteering work I have been involved in has been rewarding and enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to meeting new faces and continuing my participation once the new archive centres open.
By Olivia, Volunteer at Cheshire Archives
