Tourism volunteers make plea for more assistance

By abutts

EFFORTS to boost tourism in Castle Cary step up on Saturday when a meeting will be held to encourage more members of the community to get involved.

The town's volunteer tourism promotion group will join forces with Castle Cary and District Museum to host a consultation morning at the Market House.

The public will be able to meet tourism and museum staff and learn about existing efforts to promote tourism in Cary.

Residents can then give their thoughts and ideas and find out how they can help.

The tourism group, which works under the umbrella of Castle Cary Town Council, recently received a national award for its efforts in promoting the town's railway station.

Group chairman Paul Hansford said: "We want to tell people what we're doing and hear from them what they would like us to do. We're looking for folk who want to help, especially in our Tourism Information Centre and Museum.

"Cary has a lot to offer – the key is making this known more widely. We want to work with local businesses and groups to promote tourism and benefit the economy of our town."

The group came third in the Local Station Environment category at the Association of Community Rail Partnerships in September. The town council's deputy clerk, Clare Ratcliffe, who formed the team two years ago, collected the award at a ceremony in Carlisle.

Six walk cards detailing Castle Cary's heritage and countryside were launched by the group last year.

Members worked with Cary Ramblers to put together different routes, ranging from two to six miles in length.

The town's Tourist Information Centre is based at the Market House. The museum is spilt over two floors within the same building and features an interactive touch screen on the displayed finds – a costume room, fossils, a collection on industrial and agricultural history, information on rope making in Castle Cary and a room dedicated to the diarist Parson Woodforde. His writings gave a vivid account of the life of a rural cleric in the 18th century.

The event will run from 10.30am until noon. More information is available by calling the community office on 01963 359631.