King’s Lynn Town guides chalk up 35 years of walks... And the volunteers have raised almost £50,000 for charity
Presentation of badges to newly qualified town guides in the parlour. From left: Richard Morley (Training Officer), Lindsay Campbell (Chairman of Town Guides) : newly qualified guides are Gill Taylor, Pat Fysh, the Mayor and Mayoress, Bette Hopkins, Angela Dix, Rebecca Rees, Annette Keeley and Adrian Brown. Not present was Sue Burge.
Lynn’s Town Guides had plenty to celebrate when it was announced on their 35th anniversary that the volunteers had raised nearly £50,000 for charity.
Thirty past and present guides gathered for the anniversary celebration when it was announced by chairman Lindsay Campbell that, since 1989, the group has raised a total of £45,276 for heritage and conservation groups in the town.
She said: “What we’re about is sharing our love of the town and its history with visitors and locals; the money is just an incidental.
“We do it for the love of the town, but it’s an amazing amount for such a small group to have raised.”
She added: “Local history is important to me because it is about real people and I’m incredibly proud to be chairman of such an incredible bunch of volunteers.
“We have received tremendous support, which makes this milestone even more special, but we are proud to remain an independent group.”
Past chairman Richard Morley said: “Among those celebrating were three of the longest-serving volunteers, Jean Tuck, Jill Price and Vic Saunders, who have their own fond memories of walks and walkers.”
The Town Guides were founded in 1977 by Diana Bullock, a teacher who was devoted to the town and its history.
From the beginning it was decided that the group would be made up of volunteers and that money raised from the walks would be donated towards the upkeep and renovation of the historic buildings which have previously included St Nicholas Chapel, St Margaret’s Church (Lynn Minster), the Green Quay and True’s Yard.
During the summer, eight newly-qualified recruits brought the total number of volunteers to 26, but many more have shown visitors around the area since the beginning.
Their season runs from May to October, during which time the group provide regular walks as well as receiving requests from across the country to take organised parties around the town.
Mr Morley said: “This year alone, the volunteers have taken around 1,400 visitors and residents from the area around the town and the profit, some £2,500, from these walks is given back to help keep the fascinating history of the town alive.”
The Lynn Town Guides host an annual lecture, in memory of their founder, which will take place in the Town Hall on March 26.
Information about the Guides is available from Lynn’s Tourist Information Centre where tickets can be bought during the season.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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