Automotive Volunteering in Cornwall?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am at a loss at the moment, with far too much free time and far too little employment. To fill some of that time, I would be interested in helping out a bit with something car related: are there groups that do restorations/ historical things where I can be a general lackey and maybe learn some skills along the way? I am aware of marshalling in motorsport, and this something I happy to do, but was wondering if there's anything else anyone can suggest, or maybe needs a hand with? I can do some basic spanner related things, but am eager to experience something more advanced.
Cheers
Felix
I am at a loss at the moment, with far too much free time and far too little employment. To fill some of that time, I would be interested in helping out a bit with something car related: are there groups that do restorations/ historical things where I can be a general lackey and maybe learn some skills along the way? I am aware of marshalling in motorsport, and this something I happy to do, but was wondering if there's anything else anyone can suggest, or maybe needs a hand with? I can do some basic spanner related things, but am eager to experience something more advanced.
Cheers
Felix
DevonPaul said:
Not car related, but can you lay bricks?
Haven't tried, but you never know...Seriously though, the first post is a bit garbled, but the message is that I'm open to anything I can do with cars, maybe throw on my CV for extra brownie points. I'm a Chem Eng graduate looking for something in a relevant field, but in the meantime, I might as well do some enjoyable and/or worthy stuff.
Good luck with it all mate. One of my neighbour's lads was looking to get on as a mechanic - tried about 40 local firms and got nothing back. Inquiring about volunteering at a museum like the one at Moretonhampstead might be a start - they have (had) a restoration workshop.
Not wanting to discourage you, but if you want to stay down here then there isn't a lot in the science field. I have 2 science degrees and have worked all over, and 20 years down the line I moved down here to get married and was suddenly taking home less than it cost me to get someone to mend the roof/lay bricks or service the boiler. Sadly I knackered my back years ago otherwise I'd have gone on the tools myself (I even did a brickies course). I spotted one of my old PhD students sat in the car park barrier booth at Bretonside bus station a year or 2 ago - apparently with the shift allowance it paid more than his post-doc research position.
Think laterally though - for anyone who can get a science degree there's nothing complicated about repairing heating appliances (except the paperwork, and after 20+ years in Science you'll pretty much end up doing that full time anyway).
Paul
Not wanting to discourage you, but if you want to stay down here then there isn't a lot in the science field. I have 2 science degrees and have worked all over, and 20 years down the line I moved down here to get married and was suddenly taking home less than it cost me to get someone to mend the roof/lay bricks or service the boiler. Sadly I knackered my back years ago otherwise I'd have gone on the tools myself (I even did a brickies course). I spotted one of my old PhD students sat in the car park barrier booth at Bretonside bus station a year or 2 ago - apparently with the shift allowance it paid more than his post-doc research position.
Think laterally though - for anyone who can get a science degree there's nothing complicated about repairing heating appliances (except the paperwork, and after 20+ years in Science you'll pretty much end up doing that full time anyway).
Paul
DevonPaul said:
Good luck with it all mate. One of my neighbour's lads was looking to get on as a mechanic - tried about 40 local firms and got nothing back. Inquiring about volunteering at a museum like the one at Moretonhampstead might be a start - they have (had) a restoration workshop.
Not wanting to discourage you, but if you want to stay down here then there isn't a lot in the science field. I have 2 science degrees and have worked all over, and 20 years down the line I moved down here to get married and was suddenly taking home less than it cost me to get someone to mend the roof/lay bricks or service the boiler. Sadly I knackered my back years ago otherwise I'd have gone on the tools myself (I even did a brickies course). I spotted one of my old PhD students sat in the car park barrier booth at Bretonside bus station a year or 2 ago - apparently with the shift allowance it paid more than his post-doc research position.
Think laterally though - for anyone who can get a science degree there's nothing complicated about repairing heating appliances (except the paperwork, and after 20+ years in Science you'll pretty much end up doing that full time anyway).
Paul
Thanks Paul,Not wanting to discourage you, but if you want to stay down here then there isn't a lot in the science field. I have 2 science degrees and have worked all over, and 20 years down the line I moved down here to get married and was suddenly taking home less than it cost me to get someone to mend the roof/lay bricks or service the boiler. Sadly I knackered my back years ago otherwise I'd have gone on the tools myself (I even did a brickies course). I spotted one of my old PhD students sat in the car park barrier booth at Bretonside bus station a year or 2 ago - apparently with the shift allowance it paid more than his post-doc research position.
Think laterally though - for anyone who can get a science degree there's nothing complicated about repairing heating appliances (except the paperwork, and after 20+ years in Science you'll pretty much end up doing that full time anyway).
Paul
I am not bothered about staying here, though I do like the area. Good science/engineering jobs do come up, but they are few and far between - no harm in applying to those (Often with smaller companies doing obscure yet interesting things), though I have mostly been looking nationwide and even at a few things abroad.
I am in Penryn, so a bit of a trek to Moretonhampstead, though it is the kind of thing and I will investigate further. It's all boats round here. Not really my cup of tea, though the Maritime museum does boat restorations. They are even building a Viking long boat at the moment, which I will admit is pretty cool.
With regards to doing something like odd repairs or a even a more serious business proposition. I am prepared to put in the time, but at the moment, I need to get some confidence and a bit of experience before I get too ambitious. I grow plants (cacti and tropical stuff), and quite enjoy things like that, where I can potter around in my own time and earn some extra money from the fruits of my labour.
Felix
BuzyG said:
Felix, good to here from you again. Hope the Alpha is behaving.
Not quite what your asking for, but there is a volunteer steam railway in Launceston. Plenty of hands on Engineering in that direction.
Hi John, Not quite what your asking for, but there is a volunteer steam railway in Launceston. Plenty of hands on Engineering in that direction.
I'll hopefully come along to a drive or something like that soon.
The Alfa is sulking a bit through lack of use, and the exhaust flexis are blowing to the point that the MOT will be interesting, but after 130k of scraping along the ground, they have done well.
As you know, I can be a bit a vague, but my request was deliberately so: I can take this as an opportunity to do and learn things I might not have the time for later. I'm not sure about trains but will bear it in mind. That said, I appreciate any suggestions!
cheers
The Morgan garage in Peranwell does classic restos for all sorts I think. Otherwise you should train up as a marine engineer, as there is never enough of them and tons of work between Falmouth and Penryn!
Otherwise I also think they look for volunteers at the NNMC in Falmouth for restoring boats, more shipwright than engineering though.
Otherwise I also think they look for volunteers at the NNMC in Falmouth for restoring boats, more shipwright than engineering though.
Thanks guys for the suggestions,
I wasn't specifically looking for "engineering". A chance to help out learn a bit more about working on cars. However, this is pretty specific. I may have to change my description to involve anything big and loud and mechaincal like trains or other machinery!
Cheers
Felix
I wasn't specifically looking for "engineering". A chance to help out learn a bit more about working on cars. However, this is pretty specific. I may have to change my description to involve anything big and loud and mechaincal like trains or other machinery!
Cheers
Felix
I'm in Falmouth, my car needs valeting if you want any voluntary work to do!!
Can only really comment from local bike sports rather than car events, but they are always looking out for marshalls & observers. Getting volunteers to take the next step as ACU permit holders for such things as scrutineers, clerks of the course for different events etc are nigh on impossible, not sure how the car clubs in the area fare and what training is given.
Another random thought is voluntary driving for charities etc, not sure if you would be encouraged down the advanced training route and onto training others yourself - OK random but still vehicle/driving involved.
If you really want to learn, come round & help me restore my 1980's race bike - you'll soon learn that I wish I hadn't bothered.
I'm sure your old Arosa is still around the area.
Graham (dark green A3 on Dartmoor meet a couple of years back).
Can only really comment from local bike sports rather than car events, but they are always looking out for marshalls & observers. Getting volunteers to take the next step as ACU permit holders for such things as scrutineers, clerks of the course for different events etc are nigh on impossible, not sure how the car clubs in the area fare and what training is given.
Another random thought is voluntary driving for charities etc, not sure if you would be encouraged down the advanced training route and onto training others yourself - OK random but still vehicle/driving involved.
If you really want to learn, come round & help me restore my 1980's race bike - you'll soon learn that I wish I hadn't bothered.
I'm sure your old Arosa is still around the area.
Graham (dark green A3 on Dartmoor meet a couple of years back).
Evening.
h if you don't have use of a car.
graham22 said:
I'm in Falmouth, my car needs valeting if you want any voluntary work to do!!
Can only really comment from local bike sports rather than car events, but they are always looking out for marshalls & observers. Getting volunteers to take the next step as ACU permit holders for such things as scrutineers, clerks of the course for different events etc are nigh on impossible, not sure how the car clubs in the area fare and what training is given.
Over at TruroDMC next weekend investigating this.Can only really comment from local bike sports rather than car events, but they are always looking out for marshalls & observers. Getting volunteers to take the next step as ACU permit holders for such things as scrutineers, clerks of the course for different events etc are nigh on impossible, not sure how the car clubs in the area fare and what training is given.
graham22 said:
Another random thought is voluntary driving for charities etc, not sure if you would be encouraged down the advanced training route and onto training others yourself - OK random but still vehicle/driving involved.
Also onto this. Various hoops to jump through yet, but I'm happy to do this. I enjoy driving, I have the time and the car. No trouble for me. Cornwall's a bh if you don't have use of a car.graham22 said:
If you really want to learn, come round & help me restore my 1980's race bike - you'll soon learn that I wish I hadn't bothered.
eek! What is it?graham22 said:
I'm sure your old Arosa is still around the area.
Graham (dark green A3 on Dartmoor meet a couple of years back).
It's living on the Lizard. Still has the 8" smiley on the bonnet!Graham (dark green A3 on Dartmoor meet a couple of years back).
Edited by Mighty Flex on Friday 24th October 00:01
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