Volunteer guides sought to go up the Wall

Dec 10 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

AROUND 70 Hadrian’s Wall volunteer guides will be recruited and trained following a £49,000 award.

Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd has secured the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Your Heritage grant scheme.

The news comes just ahead of International Volunteer Day on Friday, which celebrates volunteers for their efforts and helps increase public awareness of their contribution to society.

There are already 70 volunteer guides on the Hadrian’s Wall national trail to help and advise walkers.

The grant will see the same number recruited to man attractions along the Wall. The Volunteer Tour Guides project will be managed and co-ordinated by Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd in partnership with other organisations along the Hadrian’s Wall corridor, including Vindolanda, near Bardon Mill in Northumberland, and the Roman Army Museum, near Greenhead.

Recruitment is planned for this winter, with the training programme starting in spring 2009.

Kerry Shaw, volunteer co-ordinator for Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, said: “We believe this new scheme will allow more people to become involved at their local Roman attraction sites, while gaining some valuable skills in tourist guiding and learning more about the fantastic heritage on their doorstep.

“Many people get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from volunteering and so we are expecting a lot of interest in these new roles.”

Training will include “how to be a tour guide” tuition, which will be accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding, first aid training and sessions on the Roman and non-Roman stories to be told at each site. Dr Keith Bartlett, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “We recognise the important contribution that volunteers make to heritage and are delighted to be able to support this volunteer guide project.   

“It will give local people the opportunity to share their enthusiasm and interpret their knowledge of Hadrian’s Wall to visitors, enhancing the overall visitor experience.”

For more details about the project, contact Kerry Shaw, on (01434) 609700 or email kerry.shaw@hadrianswallheritage. co.uk

Tony Henderson