Volunteer celebrates 95th birthday at Buckland Abbey

Volunteers and staff came together this week to celebrate the 95th birthday of Ron Price, one of the estate’s best loved volunteer room guides.

Ron trained as a carpenter joiner at Yelverton in the early 1930s, a time when Lady Seaton and Lady Drake where still in residence at Buckland Abbey. He vividly remembers the night the Abbey caught fire, on 6 January 1938, when Yelverton Fire Station was manned by volunteers with only a second-hand trailer pump and several lengths of hose.

Two of Ron’s workmates formed part of the crew, so when his boss suggested they go down to help with the salvaging, Ron was keen to go along. He saw the remains of the devastation to the roof, caused when the chimney stack caught fire. He also remembers the house contents filling the surrounding lawns before they were covered and removed for safe storage. "I never ceased to be amazed at how much of Buckland Abbey was saved from complete destruction that day."

During the war, Ron served with the Royal Engineers for six years, returning to Yelverton in the spring of 1946. During that time the family had sold most of their nearby properties and Buckland Abbey itself was sold to a neighbour who held garden parties on the lawns.

The estate was soon gifted to the National Trust with financial help from Plymouth City Council in 1948. Then a fully-fledged tradesman, Ron assisted in repair work; including fire-proofing the entrance hall staircase, making showcases for the artefacts and treating the barn timbers for woodworm. He returned frequently to carry out repair work and renovations until he left the firm in 1966.

His association with Buckland Abbey continued, with requests to volunteer as a room guide given his intimate knowledge of the building. Reluctant at first, Ron claims he was hooked on his first day and has been volunteering at least twice a week for the last few decades.

Ron is well known to staff, volunteers and visitors for his cheerful disposition and his obvious passion for the building and its’ stories. Having given up his licence a few years ago, Ron now relies on fellow volunteers to transport him to and from the estate, but hopes to continue volunteering for as long as possible.

"The reason I come to Buckland Abbey? Well, it’s because of the friendship, the comradeship that exists. People are so kind and we’re really one big family. It also keeps me active and my brain ticking over, trying to remember all the dates and facts."