Renate Qualifies as a SW Blue Badge Tourist Guide
Renate has after a winter of intensive studying successfully qualified and joins the group of Blue Badge Tourist Guides in the South West. The latest intensive course for the region lasted half a year and finished in May. On Thursday 10th July, the 18 successful candidates received their Blue Badges in a ceremony held in the Exeter guildhall.
Renate says, “I have been guiding in Cornwall and Devon for eight years now, mainly for the German visitors. The demand for local knowledge and secret places is high. Not only in our own Guest accommodation Dolvean House, but also from the visitors of cruise ships that visit Falmouth or groups that I guide around Trebah Garden. I was very pleased when the course was set up and I am over the moon to have qualified. The Blue Badge Tourist guides are wonderful community in itself and I got to know so many nice people during the last years that I wanted to belong to them as well as broaden my knowledge.”
Blue Badge tourist guides are in great demand. They usually live in the region they tour guide in and understand the local way of life. Within the course they gain thorough background knowledge about the UK and regional history, economy and industry, religion and education, the health and political system as well as geology and environment, art, literature, sport and architecture. The highest English tourist guiding qualification is the Blue Badge level four, which qualifies the guide for a major region. The South West comprises the six counties Cornwall, Devon, Somerset Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
“I was gobsmacked when they called my name” says Renate, describing the moment when the extra prize for overall best presentation was announced.
In Falmouth Blue Badge tourist guides work closely together with the Fal River Information Centre, The Business Improvement District BID and last but not least The Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors who greet all cruise ships. “We all help together, to give our visitors a wonderful and unique experience of Falmouth and Cornwall. Last year I translated the Falmouth town map into German which makes it a lot easier for the German visitors who are not fluent in English.”
Renate will continue to guide for the cruise ships, Trebah garden and German coach tours. She also offers individual tours developed to the visitor’s interest and need. Renate’s speciality is gardens and walking tours.
So, if you are looking to bring your family or a group of friends for a nice excursion in Cornwall or anywhere else in the South West and need someone to show you around, then look no further. We can help.
