Easy(ish) when you know how – the Priory Meadow rink is part of the Christmas fun in Hastings.

Get your (ice) skates on, and volunteer!

George Bernard Shaw understood ice skating. ‘A man learns to skate by staggering about and making a fool of himself – indeed he progresses in all things by resolutely making a fool of himself,’ he said. That sounds about right but, as those who have learnt the trick to it will testify, it’s a glorious feeling and huge fun. Toby Sargent has details of a skating opportunity for everyone here in Hastings during the festive period, and a call for volunteers to help make it all happen.

The temporary ice rink in Queen’s Square at Priory Meadow Shopping Centre has been a popular feature of this town’s Christmas for the last six years, and 2016 will be no exception. But for one skating enthusiast, the annual treat was the launching pad for her dream career: event management.

Carlie Stace – volunteered at just 14

Carlie Stace, who lives in Hastings, was just 14 years old when she first volunteered to help run the ice rink in the Priory Meadow Centre. Seven years on, she’s got an event management qualification under her belt and is urging other ambitious youngsters to get their skates on and sign up. She recalls how it all began:

Carlie Stace and fellow T Ice staff member Hannah Palmer, who has also been with the company for seven years.

“I’ve roller-skated ever since I was 14 months old so when I noticed the ice rink were looking for volunteers back in 2008, I wanted to get involved. I was only 13 at the time and the minimum age was 14, so I made sure I signed up once I was old enough and I’ve helped out every year since.”

Customer service

“I really enjoy helping people and teaching them how to skate and the experience gave me lots of social and customer service skills.

“When I turned 18, I became a skate marshall and helped out at other events, that’s when I realised I wanted a career in event management. After I gained my qualification, I became assistant manager, which gave me even more skills.

Good fun and good experience

So Carlie’s keen for more people to follow in her footsteps, having fun and gaining valuable work experience at the same time. She continues: “I’d recommend it to anyone looking for some good experience. It’s a lot of good fun and has certainly helped my future career prospects.”

Teamwork

Volunteers learn all aspects of the operation – health and safety, customer service in the skate hire, ice marshalling and teamwork, and they are even given the chance to brush up on their skating skills.

Joanna Kerr, director of T Ice who run the attraction, is also keen to highlight the benefits to be reaped by volunteers: “One of the great successes [of the rink] has been the engagement of young people from all walks of life to volunteer for work experience. Some have been with the rink from the very first year and although they are now 20-years-old and employed, they still come back to work with us when they can and to pass on their knowledge to the more recent volunteers.

“We are proud that each year produces new young people keen to become part of the team and to integrate with established volunteers forming friendships that carry on after the ice rink has closed.”

The rink is back in Priory Meadow from Friday 25 November to Monday 2 January 2017, and it’s even open on Boxing Day. There will be festive lighting and snow for the launch party between 16.00 and 20.00 on opening day. See website for details and tickets for the opening party. And if you want to volunteer like Carlie did, please contact Jo@ticerink.co.uk.

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