My Passion with Richard Handscombe: A fascination with the past drives the 'history man'

I've had a passion for history all my life, but I'm particularly interested in the 18th century and how people lived. I'm also a big fan of antiques and visit a lot of antique fairs.

I've always visited National Trust houses but didn't realise that guides working there are volunteers. I investigated and became a volunteer at Nostell Priory, near Wakefield, just over three years ago.

There are 20 volunteers working in the house every day, with more in the grounds. I volunteer every other Saturday and I absolutely love it, I've learned so much and am continuing to do so.

When I first started it wasn't too busy, but now it always is. I wish I could say it was down to me, however I think it's more likely because of the National Trust's marketing campaigns and push to encourage people to visit its properties.

Nostell is so interesting. It has the largest collection of Chippendale furniture in the world and is home to a Harrison long-case clock of which there are only three in the world. It's a marvellous piece of engineering and my favourite item in the whole house.

When I'm there, I tend to be in one room and as visitors come in I tell them about the room and how it would have been to live there and also how people everywhere lived in those time. I'm particularly interested in social history and people seem endlessly interested in other people's lives.

I'll also talk about the different items in the room. The secret of being a good room guide is to do plenty of research about all the house, all the different objects and what was happening in the 18th century. Each room has a book with information in, but I've found the more research I do, the more interesting I can be.

For example, once I started looking into the history of the Harrison clock it took me on a journey all over the place and gave me plenty of anecdotes. It's the same if I look into a piece of furniture or a painting. Having this much information in my head, means I can adapt my talks to whoever walks in the room. For example, children love to hear about ghosts and all things a bit brutal.

I've learnt so much volunteering, I find it fascinating and it's so rewarding to see people's minds opening as you tell them things. I hope to be able to do more once I retire, I never want to give up my passion for history and if I can encourage other people to be interested, well all the better.