Just an idea... Heritage Walking Tours

[Canny lass]

I’ve recently spent a couple of weeks wandering about in the Cotswolds and was delighted in several towns and villages to find FREE walking tours available. Guided by a member of the local history society, groups of 2 to 20 people are shown points of historical interest and the history of the town is briefly related. The walks were 1-2 hours. The experience was both interesting and enjoyable. In some larger towns the tour took place up to 4 times a day, while in smaller towns it was only once a day. It was free because it encouraged visitors to the town and in small towns (timed as it was directly before or after lunch) it brought income to pubs, tea-rooms and restaurants.

 

These towns and villages were places no larger than Bedlington and in many cases, though interesting in their history, had not as much to offer as Bedlington. Could it be something for Bedlington? I’m not suggesting every day, but perhaps a couple of times during the summer? Or even an autumn or winter walk, perhaps with pleasant lighting in places.

Edited June 21, 2017 by Andy Millne
Title edit

[Andy Millne]

Sounds like a fantastic idea to me. Encouraging a bit of tourism can only be a good thing and Bedlington would be an ideal base for people to explore Northumberland/Newcastle from.

Hopefully the hotel plans for Laird's House will go ahead too in the not too distant future.

Edited June 20, 2017 by Andy Millne

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

Who would organise walking tours :- West,  East, & Central Bedlington Town Council groups - Bedlington Local History Society etc.?

Who would know if it had already been discussed - Malcolm Robinson - Adam Hogg - Steven Young (Town Clerk?)?

 

 

[Canny lass]

1 hour ago, Eggy1948 said:

Who would organise walking tours :- West,  East, & Central Bedlington Town Council groups - Bedlington Local History Society etc.?

Who would know if it had already been discussed - Malcolm Robinson - Adam Hogg - Steven Young (Town Clerk?)?

 

 

I've no answer to that, Eggy. Perhaps a matter of cooperation between Council and history society. I didn't think to ask about the organisation of it. I could, however, suggest that the council approaches the history society. Perhaps a small remuneration could be offered to the society? I do know that none of the guides I met received any form of remuneration. They did it for their love of their town and its history. Quite a few were sprightly pensioners who enjoyed getting out and about and meeting people.

I wasn't thinking only of tourism when I suggested this. It could be a nice afternoon out for local people wanting to know a bit more about Bedlington.

[Andy Millne]

Some of the walking tours I've done (in larger cities) have operated as free but with donations encouraged. People are often willing to donate and the guides are then motivated to be engaging and humourous as opposed to being monotonous and scripted. I'm not sure if that model would work with smaller groups but "just another idea"

[Malcolm Robinson]

It was an idea discussed in the late 90's when we tried to get a heritage walk through Bedlington organised to go alongside that heritage themed investment..........

[Canny lass]

4 hours ago, Andy Millne said:

Some of the walking tours I've done (in larger cities) have operated as free but with donations encouraged.

A couple of the walks we did, but not all, also said a donation could be made. These walks started and finished at the local Tourist Information Office. perhaps they were involved in the organisation?

Donations were made in a collection box in the TIO. All guides were quick to inform the group that they did not accept gratuities.

Edited June 21, 2017 by Canny lass

[Canny lass]

4 hours ago, Malcolm Robinson said:

It was an idea discussed in the late 90's when we tried to get a heritage walk through Bedlington organised to go alongside that heritage themed investment..........

Maybe it's time to dust off the cobwebs and have another bash at it? It doesn't need to be on a large scale at first.

[Canny lass]

Have a look at this Malcolm.

http://www.lightsinalingsas.se/en/lights-alingsas-story

This started off on a very small scale and now attracts visitors from all over Scandinavia. Alingsås is no bigger than Bedlington and built in a similar style with one, long main street. The first year there were only a few items  but now there are many. Maybe there's a university department in Newcastle who would be willing, and glad of the opportunity, to participate. Not a bad idea to get the town involved with sponsorship either.

I always think of Bedlington when I'm there. Board and lodgings on offer if anybody wants to experience it first hand!

[Vic Patterson]

We have a very active Tourist Centre, they offer maps and guides etc, the most popular maps are the illustrated simplified maps with walking times and distances on them.

A very popular program is "Passport to the Peaks" it wouldn't work in the Bedlington situation but the principle would, issue a passport and having it stamped at key locations, once completed  earns you a certificate.

 

[Canny lass]

18 minutes ago, Vic Patterson said:

We have a very active Tourist Centre, they offer maps and guides etc, the most popular maps are the illustrated simplified maps with walking times and distances on them.

A very popular program is "Passport to the Peaks" it wouldn't work in the Bedlington situation but the principle would, issue a passport and having it stamped at key locations, once completed  earns you a certificate.

 

Great idea to get people active, kids in particular. I know Bedlington had, and maybe still has, a town map with points of interest marked out. Malcolm posted it somewhere here when I asked about the heritage trail. However, when I enquired about where to find it I was told it was available at the council offices. In other words, Monday to Friday 9-5 (just the time when most people are looking for leisure activities). I thought it should be available in shops and pubs.

Edited June 21, 2017 by Canny lass

[Andy Millne]

Here's the heritage leaflet...

 

Bedlington CA Leaflet p.1.pdf

Bedlington CA Leaflet p.2.pdf

[Canny lass]

Thanks Andy! That's the one I was thinking about. I've just noticed (page 2), shouldn't that read 'Lairds House' instead of 'The Laird's House'?

[Andy Millne]

4 minutes ago, Canny lass said:

Thanks Andy! That's the one I was thinking about. I've just noticed (page 2), shouldn't that read 'Lairds House' instead of 'The Laird's House'?

Well spotted . Jimmy Millne also lost an L. Hopefully they'll be corrected in the second revision. 

[Maggie/915]

Right I have to admit to forcing people including Grandchildren to do the walking tour.

On one occasion we were so 'mucky' that plastic bags were needed to allow us into a car at Plessey Hartford Woods. We had walked from Westlea   Red Ash Path then Humford and along the river.. I think possibly fire clay was what stuck to our trousers. However Fish and Chips at Blyth Beach helped make the day perfect .