Meet Nige Ballard – Trustee at Amotherby Parish Hall

8 January 2025
In our first volunteer interview for 2025 we welcome Nige Ballard, a trustee from Amotherby Parish Hall. Nige is an extremely active volunteer in the village and has secured an incredible amount of funding for a new hall roof. Nige regularly attends our Community Buildings Network meetings so we are thrilled to extend her involvement to our Volunteer Co-ordinators Network.
Please introduce yourself.

I’m Nigella Ballard, known generally as Nige (which can confuse some people). I am a volunteer for our village hall, called Appleton-le-Street Parish Hall, although it is located in Amotherby. I have been involved with the hall since March 1987 and have been the treasurer since February 1988.

What attracted you to the organisation and volunteer role?

When I was fairly new to the village, I was told by the school crossing lady that there was a meeting at the village hall I might be interested in going to. The rest is history and she has become my longest standing friend in the village.

What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering?

It’s great to be involved with your local community but be prepared to work hard.

What was the best piece of advice given to you as a volunteer?

I can’t remember being given any except from a past staff member of Community First Yorkshire who kept telling me “to delegate to others”.

Finally, tell us something about yourself that your fellow volunteers would be surprised to know.

From the age of four to twenty I studied ballet and danced at a reception for Margot Fonteyn. I met her afterwards, she was tiny! I gave up and took up caving instead when I went to university.