Please enjoy this Q&A with your favourite resident policeman at Blists Hill Victorian Town!
Hello Guy, how did you start out at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums?
Hello!
I firstly want to say what an honour it is to be selected as a finalist for the annual Tourism Superstar competition. My journey with the award-winning attraction, the Ironbridge Gorge Museums started in 1999 when I was involved in a theatre group that was brought in by the museums. Our main role was to act out scenes in Blists Hill Victorian Town to entertain visitors and encourage them to stay. I must love the place as 21 years later, I’m still here!
What are your roles at Blists Hill Victorian Town?
Although the policeman is my most famous character at Ironbridge Gorge Museums, I also play a number of other roles including a school teacher, pianist, drunken soldier and priest. You never know who you will meet on your next family day out at the museums! What people may not know, is that the infamous pub sing-a-long where I play the pianist started by accident. On one very rainy Saturday we were unable to perform outside in the square. So, we did what all British people can relate to – we retreated indoors to the pub for a sing song and I took over the pub piano. The rest, they say, is history.
What are your favourite memories of working at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums?
No two days are the same here. From having George (my bike) stolen to convincing the Dress Maker I was more than ‘merry’. However, the most memorable moment of my career would have to be the time Her Majesty The Queen paid me a penny. In 2003, I was in role as the Toll Keeper and responsible for the collection of the 1p toll charge off everyone who wished to cross the bridge. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were visiting Ironbridge and as we all know, royals do not carry money. But as the poster says on the Tollhouse wall, “Everyone to pay 1p - Royals not exempt!’
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
Entertaining our visitors truly is the most rewarding part of my role at the museums. To know you are making a positive impact on their family day out is a wonderful feeling. The most difficult part is how you can never quite know how your audience will react to your character. Some visitors can remain quiet until the act is over but I can confidently say I always receive a great response!
What are your future plans at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums?
I have every intention to stay with the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and entertaining the visitors of Blists Hill Victorian Town. It truly is a wonderful place for all ages to enjoy a great day out in Shropshire. Performing and writing are my biggest passions in life and the museums allow us to truly make our characters our own. In fact, I base the pianist on my own Great Grandfather, Charlie Rowland.
Tell us the most interesting thing you’ve found out about yourself whilst working at The Ironbridge Gorge Museums.
It’s interesting what people say about returning to your roots. I always thought my Father’s side of the family originated from central Birmingham. However, with the help of Ancestory.com I found out that they were based just down the road to Blists Hill Victorian Town! It’s funny how things work out, isn’t it?
Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. It would be amazing to win Tourism Superstar 2020, so please vote here! I look forward to continuing to entertain and protect the visitors of Blists Hill Victorian Town so please come and say hello when you next visit! And for those wondering, George the bike was returned safe and sound.
Guy Rowland