Jeff Cowton
Jeff Cowton is the Principal Curator and Head of Learning at the Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere. He teaches groups everything one needs to know about books: How they are made, and how books work mechanically which is a critical understanding that is needed when it comes to handling books. He explains how books should be stored, teaches a lot of important technical terminology for a book, and he even allows students to handle really old and valuable writings. Through his authentic passion for the Wordsworth Trust’s paintings, drawings, books, and history itself, he teaches the significance of history and makes those who study with him develop an appreciation for antique objects and their story.
The picture is of a signed first edition of Frankenstein which is owned by the Wordsworth Trust.
Submitted by Victoria
Paul
This man’s name was Paul. Paul of Keswick was taking his dog, Lucy, for a walk as he did every morning when he had a complete stranger walk up to him asking, “Is this castle road?” That stranger was me. If you didn’t know, British people tend to keep to themselves and don’t like to interact with strangers. However, he did. Paul said, “Yes it is!” I explained that I was meeting my school group at a rock circle. “I’m going that way, let’s walk together,” he said. Paul is retired and loves walking in nature with Lucy. He has climbed every mountain in sight, and Lucy has too. He has a daughter in the States. He has been to New York and said he has no idea how people could live in a city like that. Unlike most Brits, he was more than willing to talk to and help a complete stranger.
Submitted by Matthew
Dani Blee
Right now, Dani is working as a Visitor Experience Trainee at the Wordsworth Trust and Dove Cottage as well as completing her dissertation for her master’s in literature. Her normal day to day includes giving visits into Dove Cottage, working with the visitor experience team, welcoming guests at the front desk, giving tours of the newly renovated museum, and making many masterful coffees and teas in the museum café. Before working at the Wordsworth Trust, Dani had not considered pursing work in the museum field, but she is really enjoying being around all the incredible Wordsworth manuscripts and learning more and more about the Romanic era every day. Dani is from Donegal, Ireland where she lives with her mom. She shares that is has been challenging living in a different culture, but her flat mates really help her feel more at home. She wants you to know that Donegal rocks and Dublin sucks.
Submitted by Kaitlyn
