70th Anniversary commemorative Bench unveiled at Mint Yard, York Explore by the Lord Mayor of York – a celebration of over a million visitors.
The Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York (AVG) unveiled a new commemorative bench in Mint Yard, York Explore on Thursday 26th October 2023.
The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Chris Culwick and Mrs Culwick were in attendance to formally cut the ribbon to declare the commemorative bench available for all to see and use.
The bench, purchased by the Association is to commemorate 70 years of free guiding by the Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York 1951-2021.
“The Association held a celebration banquet at the Merchant Adventurers Hall York in October 2021, but the AVG committee felt that a more permanent recognition of the AVG’s service to the City would be appropriate. The bench has been placed in Mint Yard where voluntary guides bring visitors every day to explain the history of the City’s ancient walls and the Roman fortress.” comments AVG chairman, Melvyn Neale.
The Mayor and Mayoress were joined by many of the volunteers who have given long service to the Association including Mrs Ann Deller, past AVG chair and former tourism officer at the City of York and Malcolm Walker, fellow guide now both retired from guiding, Central Library manager Janet Edge and CEO of York Explore, Jenny Layfield, York Civic Trust representatives and current guiding volunteers.
Melvyn adds: “Over the 70+years we have guided 12-15,000 visitors a year, so that’s over a million people from all over the world who have learned from local people about York’s history and heritage and enjoyed a free tour of York. When you sit on our bench you will be keeping company with people who lead tours twice a day every day except Christmas Day.”
