Volunteers from Island Roads returned to the Needles Old Battery for the third year running to help the National Trust with annual winter maintenance programme.

As part of the Island Roads volunteering scheme, the company encourages employees to take two days off each year to give their time to support local good causes.

On Monday 12 November, five members of staff picked up their brushes to help paint the Winch Chamber, Shell Storeroom, Royal Engineers Office, which now house displays about the Fort’s fascinating past. They also painted inside the Old Battery’s tunnel which leads to the Search Light room overlooking the Needles Lighthouse.

David Metcalfe, Fort Manager for the National Trust, said: ‘It was great to be joined by volunteers from Island Roads, they were so enthusiastic about the tasks in hand and carried out their work with a smile. Their help was invaluable because as you can imagine, to keep the historic site in perfect condition for the thousands of people who visit each year, the list of maintenance jobs is very long!

“We have built up a great relationship with Island Roads over the years, not only through the volunteering they undertake but also through our close liaison during highways schemes near National Trust properties – such as Bembridge Windmill and roads around Newtown.”

Samantha O’Rourke, Communication and Development Officer whose role is also to coordinate Corporate Social Responsibility at Island Roads, said: “It was great to be part of the team of volunteers carrying out this important work at this much-loved historic site on the Island. David and Cameron from the Needles Battery were lovely to work with, making the day really enjoyable – and the views out over The Needles were spectacular.  We were even lucky enough to have the perfect viewpoint from the Search Light room during three Spitfire flypasts!”