Museum volunteer - Gordon Marshall

Gordon Marshall is one of the volunteers who help to run the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, based at Windsor Guildhall.

1. Could you first please tell us a little something about yourself?

My name is Gordon Marshall and I live in Clewer village approximately one mile west of Windsor town centre. After finishing education I went to the National Sea Training School and after training joined the Merchant Navy and travelled extensively around the world.

On leaving the Navy I married and had three children. I became employed by Nestle in the sales and marketing department and was made district sales manager for the London region. After that I felt that there were great opportunities in the property development market and started my own business developing in the UK and overseas for example, the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.

My next career change was to enter the financial services industry where I became a partner in a practice advising corporate and personal clients on investment and other financial products. After a long and successful career I retired, but missed the face to face contact with people.

2. What’s involved in your role as a volunteer?

I have been a volunteer at the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum for approximately 6 years. It involves meeting and greeting visitors and answering any questions they may have about the town and its local history. I also give guided tours of the upstairs rooms at Windsor Guildhall, where there are many items of interest.

3. Why do you volunteer? What do you get from it personally?

The reason I volunteer is because I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and from different walks of life. The information you can glean from them is as interesting as the information you can give them, so there is a mutual benefit.

4. What do you like most about volunteering?

Volunteering gives you a sense of satisfaction that you are still useful and able to benefit by contributing to the local community.

5. What do you like most about the museum?

Windsor & Royal Borough Museum and Information Centre is located on the ground floor of Windsor Guildhall giving a greater sense of history and meaning to the role. Since reopening after the pandemic, the museum is now free to all.

Interested in volunteering at the museum?

They are looking to recruit more volunteers to help greet visitors to the space. Please email museum@rbwm.gov.uk if you are interested in joining the friendly team.