Local People

We talk to Emily and Christine - the Welcome Ambassador Volunteer Coordinators for Bath - about slow travel, hidden gems and their favourite spots along the Great West Way. Both have lived in the area for many years and having incredible knowledge of the area. They're on hand to point you in the right direction when exploring the city and answer any questions no matter how weird or wacky!

Amy Weller has worked her way up to become Team Manager of Carnivores at Longleat, just off the Great West Way, in Wiltshire. Amy helps look after the parks lions, cheetahs, tigers, hyenas and wolves and successfully bred cheetah Wilma and Carl bringing Longleats first litter of cheetah cubs into the world. Click here for more of an insight into the life of a zookeeper. 

Tom Newey is the Chief Executive of Cobbs Farm Co. Ltd in Hungerford, West Berkshire. The Farm Shop & Kitchen, internationally award-winning Alder Ridge Vineyard and a 55 acres soft fruit PYO keeps Tom on his toes day-to-day but doesn't mind an escape to Bath towards the West of the route every so often. He must clarify though as a Cornish boy, the jam ALWAYS goes on before the cream in a cream tea.

Trevor Heeks has been Trowbridge Town Crier for 33 years! A popular face in the lcoal community, as well as a broad in the twinned German town of Leer, Trevor loves meeting visitors and helping make their visit more of an experience. His love for the Kennet and Avon Canal shines through and he says you can't explore the West Country without tasting the cider, of course!

Alex started off his working life in tourism in London and eventually moved to Reading. He shows a real sense of pride about the town that he works and lives in, even if he does have to point out to people it is pronouced "redding" not "reading" like reading a book. Reading has a fabulous culinary scene and Alex lets us in on a few hidden spots to add onto your Great West Way bucket list. 

Jane Meadows has been working at Bowood for the past 36 years and is now a Bowood stalwart working in the admissions kiosk at The Woodland Gardens. In preparation for the new season, Jane is busy sorting out the kiosk and is putting her 'rhododendron head' back on ready for all the questions she will be asked about the beautiful plants at Bowood. 

Richard Jones currently works as a Waterways Operative along the Kennet and Avon Canal for the Canal and River Trust. He says everyday is unique with the role and location being both different and challenging but that doesn't stop him on the day to day grind. 

Leon Troake is the operations manager at Cheddar Gorge and Caves, just off the Great West Way. He helps to manage the south side of Cheddar Gorge which consists of a number of caves and the highest inland cliff formation in Britain, it's also where the first complete skeleton was found! He says 'expect the unexpected' as his day is rarely the same. 

Malcolm Potter lives on the Westonbirt Arboretum estate and joined the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. His involment in the arboretum grew and grew and he is currently a volunteer guide. Malcolm says there is no typical day in the arboretum! Everyday is different working with so many different people and taking tours which can last up to an hour and a half.