Freemen's Generosity Ensures City Volunteers "Stay In The Pink"
The generosity of Durham’s Freemen has ensured the city’s award-winning tourism volunteers stay “in the pink.”
The Durham Pointers, recognised by their distinctive pink tabards, can be seen on the city’s streets every day, in all weathers, offering a warm welcome and directions to the tens of thousands of visitors from across the world who arrive annually between Easter and October.
Three years ago the Freemen’s Charitable Trust made a £4,000 donation to the Pointers’ cause – some of the cash meeting the cost of pink tabards, waterproof clothing and information leaflets.
A year later, after earning a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and the first of two Gold Awards from regional tourism bosses, the 70-strong team received a second cash injection of £1,350 from the Freemen.
This year’s gift from the trust, of £600, will cover the cost of replacing the now worn-out tabards – and for their part the Freemen’s continuing generosity is recognised with an acknowledgement on the back.
Pointers’ chairman Dave Carter said: “Since our organisation was founded in 2012 we are proud to acknowledge the friendship and association built up over the years with the Durham Freemen. As volunteers we are extremely grateful for the funding they have provided and fully appreciate the invaluable assistance it has afforded us.”
Eric Bulmer, chairman of the wardens of the Freemen’s eight surviving craft guilds, added: “We are pleased to support a committed group of volunteers who provide an invaluable service to the city, its community and visitors, especially as the heritage of the Guilds of Freemen is embedded in the history of Durham, a city of which we are all immensely proud.”
