The Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership (PVTP) has opened another of its Tourist Information Kiosks – in a disused public telephone box.
This one is in the centre of Upavon. And this time the opening included the unveiling of one of the Partnership’s new Historic Map Information Boards.
Chair of Upavon Parish Council, John Tighe, welcomed everyone to the official opening of the kiosk and the unveiling of the information board. After a few words about the project from PVTP’s Susie Brew, Bill Bracher – a resident of Upavon for twenty-five years, Church Warden and general community stalwart – cut the ribbon.
PVTP is undertaking a major roll-out of more than forty of its new style information boards – combining printed boards sited at places of special interest with online integration via their website: www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk
This scheme has been initiated and managed by Sylvia Clayden, Mark Dawson and Susie Brew. It has relied heavily on the collaboration and enthusiasm from archaeologists (particularly Dr Jim Leary), history groups, visitor centres, parish councils, farmers, photographers, publicans, Great Western Railway, and last but certainly not least, Pewsey Co-op who provided the funding through their One Per Cent Community fund – all in association with Pewsey Heritage Centre.
Susie Brew: “We very much hope local people and visitors to the Vale will enjoy the sense of place the information on the boards bring, located at more than 40 sites between Devizes and Great Bedwyn. Many thanks to all who have contributed.”
“Upavon Parish Council and the Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership are delighted to have been able to convert this ‘phone box into a Tourist Information Kiosk – the third in the Vale of Pewsey so far.”
“This is just one of the projects that the Partnership is undertaking to enhance the infrastructure and support the visitor economy in the Vale of Pewsey. Working collaboratively with Parish Councils and other organisations, they already have Tourist Information Kiosks at Swan Corner and Cossor’s Shop in Pewsey and in Bottlesford – and there are more in the pipeline.”
PVT was set up in 2015 by the Pewsey Community Area Partnership. Through PVTP’s relationship with GWR, they also provide tourist information in the waiting rooms at Pewsey Station. One of the major benefits of being a member of the Partnership is that local businesses can advertise in any of these locations.