Former councillor and Mayor of Bath Patrick Anketell-Jones has decided to use some of the time during his retirement to volunteer his knowledge of the city as a new Welcome Ambassador.
The Welcome Ambassadors are the friendly faces of Bath; volunteers provide a warm and informed welcome to Bath city centre for visitors, workers, residents and students.
They help to direct people throughout the city, encouraging them to explore the hidden gems as well as the must-do activities.
There’s a team of 14 so far who help visitors Thursday to Sunday each week.
As well as requests for directions and maps they are asked a wide range of questions such as; “Can you recommend any great cocktail bars?”, “We’re in Bath for the day, what are the must-sees?”, “What year was the weir built?”, “Are there any walking tours in Spanish?” and “Can you recommend jewellery shops for an engagement ring?”.
Speaking about his new role as a Welcome Ambassador, Patrick said: “I wanted to volunteer as an Ambassador to maintain and use my knowledge of the city, sharing it with visitors who are keen to learn all about Bath.
“Visitors have varying requirements on arriving in Bath. Mostly it’s about bearings, where is the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, Roman Baths etc.
“Questions about attractions are closely followed by human comforts, the nearest WC, cafe, restaurant, and park. And then there are always shopping enquiries.”
The former Mayor of Bath is still looking at other volunteering options in the city, saying: “I may be retired but inactivity is most certainly not an option.”
If you’re interested in joining Patrick as a Welcome Ambassador, get in touch with Emily or Christine who coordinates the team via [email protected].
They are on the lookout for more volunteers to make sure they can expand the service, particularly over the busy Christmas season.
