On August 29th, FODI families visited Souter Lighthouse and the Leas, using the National Trust Community Pass, which FODI, amongst other groups, has been given in a scheme to make local National Trust (NT) properties available for free to charities and local communities.
26 of us travelled on an open-topped bus from Sunderland and were blessed with sunshine. Volunteers Jane, Melika and Vernon helped with the trip and a lovely day was had by all. We visited the Engine room, whose workings were explained by NT volunteers Geoff and Frieda, and the Lighthouse keeper’s cottage, where there was a lot of interest in the chamber pot under the bed! Both children and adults had fun in the interactive room with games and video before they climbed up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower, from which the view was amazing. Not a climb for those with vertigo!
After lunch the children happily played football and ran about on the Foghorn field, while the parents and volunteers walked and danced in the sunshine, or reclined on the deck chairs, taking in the wonderful view.
FODI is grateful to the National Trust for the pass and to Alice Hanby for organizing our day and to all NT staff and volunteers who helped make it so enjoyable. We look forward to visiting some of the other local NT places in the future.
