Maritime tour guides earn White Badge accreditation
A group of volunteers who dedicate their time to the Hull Maritime project have become accredited White Badge Tour Guides.
Between May and October 2021, the 17 volunteers completed an intensive training and lecture programme to pass the Institute of Tour Guiding Level 2 accredited training programme.
They are all now Institute of Tourist Guiding White Badge holders, qualified to lead guided tours to showcase Hull’s maritime history, and provide updates on the progress of the Hull Maritime programme.
As part of the exam preparation, volunteers delivered guided tours around the city. In August, 245 visitors took the tour over 12 days.
The volunteers are now offering further guided tours, every Monday, up to and including November 29, with 10.30am and 1.30pm slots to choose from. Free places can be booked at maritimehull.co.uk.
As part of the tours, visitors discover more about the city’s maritime heritage and how the maritime project will take shape over the next four years. Stops include the exterior of Hull Maritime Museum, the future location of the Arctic Corsair at North End Shipyard, and the new location for the Spurn Lightship in Hull Marina.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am thrilled the volunteers have passed this respected accreditation. The dedication and passion they have for the maritime project is wonderful. They are a credit to the city.
“They will now deliver White Badge tours for the city, showcasing our maritime history and the very best of Hull.”
Hull Maritime project volunteer Sam Wright, said: “I can honestly say the ITG tour guide training for the Hull Maritime project has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life.
“Being able to connect people to the maritime history that surrounds them is a real privilege, and the opportunity to meet and work with my fellow guides has been fantastic. I now have a whole new group of friends because of this project, and I look forward to working with them all moving forward.”
Carole Hiley, president of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, said: “Qualified guides are often the 'face' of a site, a city or a region to visitors, whether from the UK or overseas. The impression these visitors will take home will be the one given by their guide. I am delighted to welcome the Hull White Badge Guides to our family of qualified guides.”
The volunteer team are now busy planning and adapting the tour offer for the busy spring and summer period next year.
Thanks to funding from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, significant improvements will be made to the Maritime Museum, Dock Office Chambers, North End Shipyard, as well as Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.