Boroughbridge Tourist Office: Help Needed

Know a lot about Boroughbridge or know nothing at all? Either way, how about discovering more about your town and volunteering at the tourist office?

If you could spare three hours a week, Boroughbridge Tourist Information Office would be able to open on Saturday afternoons throughout the year. It’s currently manned by a mini-army of 13 volunteers from all walks of life but they’re keen to recruit new blood into the mix. “At the moment we have 13 volunteers,” explains Nellie Heavisides, who doubles up her position as Town Clerk with running the office.
And the Tourist Information Office certainly needs all the volunteers Boroughbridge can muster. “In 2013 we had 4,300 visitors through the door,” says Nellie. “They were from many different nationalities and as far afield as New Zealand and Australia. The office can get quite hectic between July and September during the school holidays, but after October half term the flow of visitors slows down.”

“New volunteers are not expected to know all the answers straightaway.”

“We’re a really friendly bunch and have fun dealing with the public,” says lovely lady volunteer Beth Tate, whose Irish lilt remains undimmed despite living in the US until 2005. “My accent becomes a talking point when people come into the office asking questions,” she continues. “It doesn’t take long for them to ask where I am from, and that helps break the ice.”
“I worked in hospitality for years and love helping visitors out with information – I can usually answer all their queries. We update all the tourist leaflets yearly and we have everything in here from local walks and maps to bus timetables and free postcards. We can recommend special activities for kids and help with local accommodation as well.”
And new volunteers are not expected to know all the answers straightaway. Team manager Sheila Wass is on hand to offer advice and there is a crib sheet full of Boroughbridge facts and figures to refer to. “Volunteers are always supported during their first couple of shifts,” confirms Beth, “We wouldn’t leave anyone to struggle on their own.”
Volunteering at Boroughbridge Tourist Information Office is a very flexible affair, arranged in three-hour slots that can be easily swapped around among the team members if shifts don’t suit. “I usually do my three hours on Saturday,” says Beth, “It’s perfect for me as I can come into town from Little Ouseburn and do my grocery shopping when I’ve finished my three-hour stint.” The tourist office is at 1 Hall Square on the corner of Fishergate and the High Street, a pretty whitewashed townhouse that is shared with the council offices, and there’s free parking just around the corner in Back Lane. Summer opening hours run from March 26 until mid-October, when the office is open daily until 4pm. However, in winter it currently closes every day at 1pm – and Nellie really would like to be able to open on Saturday afternoon all year around.
So if you fancy a new challenge by joining a friendly bunch of volunteers, and you enjoy dealing with the public, please give Nellie a call on 01423 322956 or email her on info@boroughbridge.org.uk. Chances are you’ll have already seen her around town anyway as she is also organises Plot to Plate, which is one of Boroughbridge’s most successful events. It brings together local shop owners, allotment owners, veg growers and local craftspeople in one big, happy street party every May.