History lover Tony retires from Almonry (From Cotswold Journal)
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History lover Tony retires from Almonry
11:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News
TAKING A BACK SEAT: Tony Whiting dressed as Brother Oswald, is enjoying his second retirement from the Almonry Museum. Picture by Almonry Heritage Centre.
WELL-known Evesham man Tony Whiting is enjoying having more time on his hands after retiring from the Almonry Museum for the second time.
Mr Whiting, of Offenham Road, Evesham, has been working as a part-time tourist information assistant and researcher at the heritage centre, in Abbey Gate, for the last seven years.
The 74-year-old retired from his post as museum manager in 2003 after nine years of service but decided to return to the museum 18 months later to help out.
“It’s a fantastic job,” he said.
“I’m a great enthusiast for Evesham and the history.
“It’s been rather a privilege to be in the position to welcome people to the town and explain a bit of the background.
“Doing tourist information is a lovely way to meet people who are coming on holiday.
It’s rather nice to feel you are making some sort of contribution to their leisure time.”
It has been a steep learning curve for Mr Whiting, who forged a career in the council as an officer at the formerlynamed Evesham Borough Council before it became Wychavon District Council in 1974, ahead of his role in the museum.
“When I was at school, history was my least understood subject,” he added.
“But when I started delving into the town and the area I became hooked on it.”
Residents will still see the grandfather-of-one in the museum – he is known for bringing a medieval monastery to life as monk Brother Oswald as part of the school curriculum days – and in the summer months as a Vale of Evesham tour guide.
