Volunteer story: Chris Allen
Volunteer story
Chris Allen
What first attracted you to volunteering at the Cathedral?
My son was working as a radio producer at LBC back in 2004 – they sponsored a coffee table book to commemorate 1,400 years of the Cathedral; he was invited to a service of celebration but couldn’t go so offered me the ticket. My wife and I were sitting in the gallery and the service was in the Quire. We had a wonderful view; the Bishop of London was resplendent in his robes. I also saw lots of people dressed in tailcoats and stripey trousers, showing people to their seats. At the reception in the Guildhall one of the stripey trousered folk was behind me in the queue. He told me about the Wandsmen and my wife said, 'Chris would love to do that'. As a young retiree I was getting under her feet, so she needed me out of the way! I was invited to join the Friends and after being interviewed by the Dean, I became a Wandsman in July 2005.
The following January I joined the Thursday 'working Friends' team – what we now call Visitor Experience Volunteers. I volunteered as a Welcomer for a month and was very fortunate to be offered a place on the tour guiding course. I loved it and I've been a qualified guide since July 2006.
Where did you learn the skills that allow you to volunteer in your role?
I’m a massive show off. I used to be the Head of IT for a German company so spent my time making lots of presentations and explaining systems. I liked talking and engaging people. I love it now when I go to the west end of the cathedral to meet 15 strangers and getting to know them on the tour. That whole engagement process and getting them to gel together is the best bit for me.
What is your favourite part of volunteering at St Paul’s?
Getting to know the people in the group – sharing enthusiasm for the Cathedral. If you get a, 'Gosh you love working here,' comment and an, 'I enjoyed, it so much,' and they even laugh at your jokes it makes my day. All the guides have a bit of the performer in them.
Are there any aspects of your work as a volunteer that people might not realise you do?
I’m also on the Cathedral Council. It’s been a real privilege to work with a variety of inspiring colleagues from the Head of English Heritage to a couple of MPs and Elizabeth Butler Sloss, the first female Justice of Appeal. I meet such interesting people. I’ve also become involved in the training of the Cathedral Tour Guides. When I did the course there were three lever arch files stuffed with information. We all thought wouldn’t it be lovely to get them in order. So, the lot fell on me, and I redesigned the guiding notes. It’s now in ten sections that follow the guiding route.
What is your favourite place in the Cathedral itself?
The Triforium, because it’s muddle and magic and it contains the Library - andI love libraries. Also, sometimes if I’ve done a corporate tour, late at night, when I walk across the floor of the empty Cathedral and the atmosphere is incredible, awe-inspiring. As a former chorister (not here) I love the music; the quality of the Choir is superb. There are so many treats in my role. The royal occasions are special, meeting the Queen and Prince Philip, and the Princes Harry and William was such a privilege.
How do you fit volunteering around your other commitments?
I’ve been a member of Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers since 2006, all because of my volunteering at St Paul’s. Previously the City was a closed book. I spent my time flying round the world and I really only began to see the City when I joined St Paul’s. I became Master of the Worshipful Company in 2015 so I had a very busy diary for the year. The team here rallied round and helped out, as they always do.
I was Chairman of the City Ward Club of Queenhithe. My wife thinks I’m very bossy and always want to be in charge - she’s known me for over 50 years so I wouldn’t disagree with her view! However, at the Cathedral as in life, no-one is indispensable, and it will continue long after I’m gone.