Commendation for tourism volunteers

DEDICATED volunteers who help guide tourists in Richmond and Leyburn have been thanked for their sterling work in 2008.

Councillor Rob Johnson, Chairman of Richmondshire District Council, praised the 34 volunteers who provide guided walks of Richmond and work at the Tourist Information Centres in Leyburn and Richmond.

The 24 volunteers at both TICs – which are run by Richmondshire District Council – have helped to welcome more than 100,000 visitors through their doors and contributed to about 600 bed bookings in the district.

Councillor Johnson also presented a cheque for £610.90 to Mike Wood, Chairman of the Richmondshire Museum. The ten Richmond volunteer guides chose the museum to receive the cash, which was collected from donations by walkers. In total there were 54 guided walks in Richmond in 2008 – more than one a week – with more than 300 participants.

The presentation took place at a special buffet held in the Council Chamber at Swale House, Richmond.