Knaresborough Town Council has allocated £7,000 towards training tour guides to promote the town.

Knaresborough is a popular destination but visitors sometimes struggle to find basic information on attractions such as the museum and viaduct.

Cllr Margy Longhurst, a professionally trained tourist guide, began providing free tours last year.

But Cllr Longhurst wants to develop the service, which it is hoped will boost tourism and increase civic pride.

The council agreed this week to budget £7,000 towards training a pool of guides, who will provide free tours on Wednesday market days and at weekends, as well as on special occasions.

Knaresborough-born Sarah Cowling, who is now a professional tourist guide in York who also provides accredited training, will run the courses.

The 13-week training course will start in January and it is hoped the first guides will be in action by autumn next year.

Speaking after the town council meeting, Cllr Longhurst said:

“I’ve found it frustrating doing the tours because trying to do everything myself is just too much. I’ve also sprained my knee.

“We want to have regular free walking tours and when I say ‘free’, I mean ‘free’ — we won’t be asking for tips.”

Besides tourists, she said the tours would also appeal to newcomers to the town by making them “feel part of the community” as well as informing them of Knaresborough’s heritage.

Cllr Longhurst said the council was looking to recruit eight to 10 people with a love of history and Knaresborough who were prepared to undertake training and two exams.

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Green grants

Knaresborough Town Council is to award grants to young people with ideas on how to improve the environment.

The Green Grant will be awarded to school pupils or youth groups with ideas on how to better Knaresborough’s environment and work towards reversing the effects of climate change in the area.

The council said people with ideas on active travel, climate adaptation, improving animal and wildlife habitats, energy reduction and minimising pollution are welcome to apply for a grant, which will be up to £500 per project.

Kit Lacey, chair of the council’s climate committee, said the authority “understands that things cannot stay the same” and is “in need of young people’s help”.

Mr Lacey added:

“It’s the young people of the town who will live with the effects of climate change longer than us councillors.

“This programme is open to all children of the town and welcomes applications from adults and children in schools and all types of youth groups. Examples would be school groups, young climate committees lead by PTA members, scouts and guides.

“We encourage groups to apply even if they are not sure where the group may sit as we, the council, can push them in the right direction of coming under a group that would be eligible.”

Although the scheme is directed at young people, Mr Lacey said the grant must be awarded to an adult in charge of an organisation, so the money can be sent to their account.

Applicants must also disclose the organisation’s latest financial accounts and, if necessary, any permissions required by North Yorkshire Council.

Knaresborough Town Council also said applicants must mention ‘Green Grant’ in their application.

You can apply for the grant here.