Darren is one of our most trusted volunteers. He began his journey with Jarrow Hall in the Herb Garden but over the past six months has developed his role and integrated into our team of wonderful Heritage Volunteers.
His story with us began when he moved home back to the North East to help care for his elderly mother. He had undergone a difficult marriage break up and was encouraged by his sister-in-law, who he calls his Guardian Angel, to get involved with something joyful and worthwhile.
In winter of 2022 whilst visiting the Hive Coffee Co. – the ‘nice cheese scone place’ as his mother called it – he stumbled across our medieval herb garden. With intrigue, he called his mother over to show her his discovery. “I was amazed to see so many plants and uses of forgotten and ancient herbs,” says Darren. He immediately knew he wanted to get involved.
Darren has an interesting history; he found a love of cooking at a young age from being in the kitchen with his mother and trained to become a chef in his 20’s. He worked at the Royal Berkshire, Ascot, Hilton and then travelled to Scotland, Devon, Italy and France with his culinary work. He also worked in the Dolomites for four years running ski and walking chalets. His love of cooking meant our herbs and their potential uses had a natural appeal to him.
“I always still get a sense of intrigue and creativity when coming across new herbs,” says Darren. “Like Sweet Cicely or French Sorrel. And, of course, the Nine Herb Charm.”
With the guidance of Head Herb Garden volunteer, Ian (who has been caring for the garden for 25 years), Darren was able to quickly settle into the routine of care and keep of the plants. He came to understand the seasonal needs of the garden, learning about new plants and their traditional culinary, medicinal and practical uses. Darren quickly settled into the volunteer community and found the Herb Garden had become a place where he felt peaceful; a calm and safe place to reflect.
“Volunteering in the Herb Garden is such a pleasure. I find it such a safe and welcoming place to be. Coming back home to the North East and finding this ethereal place fills me with hope and knowledge,” says Darren.
In summer 2024 Darren fell into the wider volunteering community. Marco, our long-serving manager extraordinaire, was in need of a sous chef for our annual volunteer party in Thirlings Hall. Darren offered his services and the culinary dream team was born. The pair prepared traditional Italian dough and cooked pizzas over our medieval firepit. The party was a chance for Darren to celebrate with his Herb Garden comrades, but it also offered him the chance to get to know volunteers from the other realms of Jarrow Hall, and this sparked a connection.
Since the summer Darren has become a familiar face in our family of volunteers. Dressing in traditional costume, he took part in the Santa Lucia light procession at our Winter Festival, something he had never imagined himself doing. He is currently taking part in our Living History course where he will become a trained Jarrow Hall Tour Guide. He’s also enlisted on our Level 3 Award in Education and Training where he will become qualified to teach; we have exciting plans to deliver practical courses in herb gardening to our volunteers.
We are incredibly lucky to have Darren as a volunteer, and are delighted to be able to offer him training and opportunities for his development and growth – both within Jarrow Hall and on his personal journey.
If you would like to sign up to volunteer in the Herb Garden and join Darren, Ian and the rest of the friendly group please email [email protected].
