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Discover our Way

  • Our Great West Way: Kaga Chung from Roseate Hotels

    Our Great West Way: Kaga Chung from Roseate Hotels

    "I love weaving together the distinct narratives of each location - London as a vibrant international hub of art, culture... Reading as a historical link between the east and west of southern England." Hear from Kaga Chung, Marketing Executive for Roseate Hotels.

  • Experience our stories

  • Trevor wearing his town crier outfit

    Our Great West Way: Trevor Heeks

    Trevor Heeks has been Trowbridge Town Crier for 33 years! A popular face in the lcoal community, as well as a broad in the twinned German town of Leer, Trevor loves meeting visitors and helping make their visit more of an experience. His love for the Kennet and Avon Canal shines through and he says you can't explore the West Country without tasting the cider, of course!

  • Alex Brannen portrait

    Our Great West Way: Alex Brannen

    Alex started off his working life in tourism in London and eventually moved to Reading. He shows a real sense of pride about the town that he works and lives in, even if he does have to point out to people it is pronouced "redding" not "reading" like reading a book. Reading has a fabulous culinary scene and Alex lets us in on a few hidden spots to add onto your Great West Way bucket list. 

  • Jane Meadows portrait

    Our Great West Way: Jane Meadows

    Jane Meadows has been working at Bowood for the past 36 years and is now a Bowood stalwart working in the admissions kiosk at The Woodland Gardens. In preparation for the new season, Jane is busy sorting out the kiosk and is putting her 'rhododendron head' back on ready for all the questions she will be asked about the beautiful plants at Bowood. 

  • Richard on a lock at the canal

    Our Great West Way: Richard Jones

    Richard Jones currently works as a Waterways Operative along the Kennet and Avon Canal for the Canal and River Trust. He says everyday is unique with the role and location being both different and challenging but that doesn't stop him on the day to day grind. 

  • Malcolm amongst the trees at Westonbirt

    Our Great West Way: Malcolm Potter

    Malcolm Potter lives on the Westonbirt Arboretum estate and joined the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. His involment in the arboretum grew and grew and he is currently a volunteer guide. Malcolm says there is no typical day in the arboretum! Everyday is different working with so many different people and taking tours which can last up to an hour and a half. 

  • Will Twomey at West Berkshire Brewery

    Our Great West Way: Will Twomey

    Will Twomey has been working at West Berkshire Brewery for 13 years and is currently the head brewer. Will's day is usually flat out with lots of problem solving, packaging beer and beer transfers, as well as planning and managing the team. His favourite time to brew is during sunrise as the sun rises up over the fields in Yattendon. 

  • Martin with two cart horses

    Our Great West Way: Martin Whittle

    Martin Whittle, 54, has been head horseman at Wadworth Brewery in Devizes, Wiltshire, for ten years. He is the fourth generation in his family to work with heavy horses. He is married to Vicky, who works at Wadworth too. They have three sons, two of whom also work at the brewery. Martin and his team of four look after the brewery’s three shire horses and can be seen five days a week out and about in Devizes making deliveries, as well as at shows and on pub visits. 

  • SS Great Britain boat

    Our Great West Way: Bob Evans

    Bob Evans has been a steward on the SS Great Britain in Bristol since 1985 and chief steward for ten years. His encyclopaedic knowledge of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s pioneering steel-hulled passenger ship and passion for the city has won the 76-year-old many awards, including a gold medal in the Outstanding Customer Service category of the Enjoy England Awards in 2009.

  • Jonathan on the river

    Our Great West Way: Jonathan Hobbs

    Jonathan Hobbs is managing director of boating firm Hobbs of Henley. He is the fifth generation of his family to run the firm, which was founded by Harry Hobbs in 1870. Jonathan has just been appointed as a Queen’s Waterman, following in the footsteps of his dad, Tony.
     

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    Story Categories

    1. On the Water
      Find out more on the locals of the Great West Way on the water...

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