5 minutes with Mal Hills, Bowcliffe Maintenance Manager

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So many people contribute to the smooth-running of the Bowcliffe Estate on a daily basis, and none more so than our very own ‘handy Andy’, maintenance manager, Mal Hills. Whether it’s shimmying up a ladder, erecting the latest quirky sign or manoeuvring the Estate plane, there’s very little that Mal isn’t involved with when it comes to Bowcliffe’s evolution and upkeep. We decided it was time to reveal more about our familiar-faced enigma and learn about his career history as part of the Coldstream Guards, his never-ending ‘to-do’ list and the oddest requests he’s ever had. It might be our favourite ‘5 minutes with…’ to date!

Job title at Bowcliffe?

Maintenance Manager

How long have you worked at Bowcliffe?

Since August 2015

Can you tell us a little about your career to date?

My career history has been varied to say the least! I joined the Army at the age of 16 and was in the Coldstream Guards for 12 years and reached the rank of Sergeant, I was in the Corps of Drums and played at the likes of Buckingham Palace. I served in Northern Ireland and Africa and was stationed in Cyprus for two years. I was also a Prison Officer for 23 years. In between being in the Army and joining the Prison Service I fitted double glazing, wall/loft insulation and owned a general store.  Now I am doing a job I love and get so much satisfaction out of.

Mal Hills Bowcliffe Hall

Mal during his days in the Army

 

Mal playing the drums at Buckingham Palace in the Coldstream Guards

Mal playing the drums at Buckingham Palace in the Coldstream Guards

Tell us a little more about what a day in the life of Mal looks…

Here’s a piece of original Mal poetry to sum it up…
A day in the life of Maintenance Mal,
No job too much for him and his pal.
He starts the day at 8 o’clock,
He gets his list, to see what he’s got.
JT is in with a job to do,
Erect some signs and a phone box too.
Now the signs are up and the phone box in,
Lucinda Jennings has just walked in.
She has a job, which needs doing today,
I’ll get that done, I’ll be on my way. Now all jobs done, with no job missed,
But five new jobs on that pesky list…

Mal Hills Bowcliffe Hall

Favourite part of your job, why?

Working outside after being inside for 23 years – working that is, not as a guest of the Prison!

What’s the toughest part of your job?

Trying to reduce the size of my jobs list. I seem to do a couple of jobs but then three more appear!

Favourite room / place in Bowcliffe Hall, why?

The Bowcliffe Room due to its grandeur and sense of history and family.

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Tell us some of the oddest maintenance requests you’ve had…

Bringing the plane up to the Hall towed by the EastEnders milk float. Erecting a 1926-1934 telephone box and also a full size statue of Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

Mal Hills Bowcliffe Hall

Tell us something about Bowcliffe that not many people would know…

Well, everyone knows we have a cellar at the Hall, but few people know where the door is that takes you under the Ballroom floor. (If you know then please you tell me, haha!)

Favourite part of the whole Estate? Why?

The gardens, as they are starting to mature and come into their own. As I work outside I see them changing almost daily.

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Mal enjoying basking in the Bowcliffe leaves

Which part of the Estate requires the most maintenance on a regular basis?

It’s less a single part of the estate, more a couple of people that require the most maintenance! JT (Jonathan Turner, the Bowcliffe Chief Exec) followed very closely by Lucinda Jennings (Property & Development Director). After that it’s the Hall itself, as it is the oldest building on the Estate.

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Over the past few years there have been lots of changes and additions to the Bowcliffe Estate, which parts have been your favorite to watch come together?

As I have only been here for a fairly short time, I would say the gardens and all the new quirky additions around the Estate – many of which I’ve had the pleasure of erecting.

Signs at Bowcliffe

Current favourite dish on the Drivers’ Club menu?

I’m a certified food lover, so every food is my favourite, except anything with almond paste.

Hobbies and interests outside of work?

Running marathons and half marathons. I ran the Wolds Way (which is 80 miles), in just over 23 hours for charity. At the time I was the oldest man to complete this run in less than 24 hours. I also cycle a lot with one of my good friends, we cycled the Coast-to-Coast route in a day, only getting lost once!

Tell us a secret about yourself…

I was once caught sleeping on the Coldstream Band’s bus by Prince Philip after playing in the Corps of Drums at an event. Lucky for me he just smiled or it could have been to The Tower for me!

Mal Hills Bowcliffe Hall

Anything else you want to add?

My ambition is to complete the jobs list before I retire – impossible! A tough task but thoroughly enjoyable.