A FORMER teacher has scored full marks after launching his guided tour of hidden Wrexham.
But Phil Phillips dreaded no one would turn up for his first tour.
He said: “As it turned out, the interest has been amazing. Everyone seems to enjoy it and there have been lots of compliments afterwards.”
Susan Wilson, of Rhosddu Road, was among the first in line for the official guided tour of her home town.
She said: “It was fascinating, I’d definitely give it a gold star!
“Tracing the footsteps of how the town has evolved over the centuries was so interesting and hearing all the stories was fantastic. Wrexham needs to be shown off like this.
“The tour was a great idea just waiting to happen and I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit with locals and town visitors alike.”
“We’ve lived here 40 years and knew hardly anything of what we’ve learned today,” added another delighted couple.
Born and bred in Rhos, Phil’s love and vast knowledge of Wrexham is evident throughout his tour and not without humour as he points out the town’s rich past as well as notable architectural features easily missed in the daily bustle.
“There are so many stories and events connected with places and some very colourful characters have lived here,” he said.
Along a route packed with tales from the mad to the macabre, his tour features more than 30 sites of interest including the cock-fighting pit outlawed in 1839, Wrexham’s famous original markets, the old town well, pubs dating back to the 1600s and a religious martyr’s execution.
A keen researcher in his spare time during a career which has spanned education, marketing, training and broadcasting, Phil’s passion for old Wrexham evolved naturally from showing around friends and family into this specialist guided tour for the public.
“With much support from my wife Karen, I finally had time to look into the business side of the idea,” he said.
“We’ve now started off with set departures two days a week, but group and social club bookings are also very welcome and alternative dates can be arranged to suit.”
The Wrexham Town Trail leaves from Queen’s Square outside the tourist information centre on Tuesdays at 10am, 2pm and 6pm and Sundays at noon and 4pm.
The tour lasts about 90 minutes, booking advisable though not essential.
Call 07951 400 795 or visit wrexhamtowntrails.co.uk. Tickets £6 or £5 in advance.
