We're still collecting donations
On the 3rd July 2020 we'd raised £200 with 4 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
I’m selling vouchers for river tours in Cambridge which can be redeemed for punt tours at a time convenient for both parties. No time limit.
by Alexrivaz in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
On the 3rd July 2020 we'd raised £200 with 4 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
For the last 25 years I’ve earned my living as an independent punt tour guide in Cambridge UK, it’s mainly seasonal work ( March to September). Most years Cambridge would expect to welcome 5-6 million tourists, this is a huge boom for the local economy and particularly people like myself.
Unfortunately , this March as I was making the last of my preparations to return to work we were hit by the effects of the Coronavirus. Cambridge became a ghost town and the River and all its Punt tour operators were shutdown and it’s doubtful whether we will be able to return to giving river tours this year, or if we do then it will be on a much reduced scale, with lots of safeguards in place .
These are desperate times for a lot of independent punt operators who depend on that summer trade to see them through the worst of the winter when tourism drops off or it is just too damned cold, wet and dark to work.
My Idea is to raise funds to support myself and compensate for the dearth in tourism by selling punting vouchers which can be bought in advance and can be used at a future date.( no time limit )
DONATION AMOUNTS
£17.50 will get 1 person a40 minute guided punt tour with commentary.
£30 will get 2 people as above.
£45 will get 3 people the above
£60 will get 4 people the above + free bottle of generic fizz
The Tour itself lasts about 45 mins and is one of the most beautiful boat tours you will ever take ( particularly if you pick the right time of day)
The river banks lined with weeping willows and manicured lawns against a backdrop of stunning College architecture. My job as your guide and punter is is to bring the history alive.
Ive lived in Cambridge all my life and for half of that time I’ve been showing visitors from all over the world this most unique part of my beautiful city, I’ve made some lovely friends and had many truly memorable encounters with ordinary people and the not so ordinary.
Name dropping: Some of those Passengers you may have heard of. Daniel Craig, John Landis, Samantha Janus , Deacon Blue, Clare Balding, Benjamin Zephaniah, Neil Innes,Eric Idle.
I work with a small Cooperactive of other guides, you can find our reviews in tripadvisor under the page for TRINITY PUNTS. Please bare in mind that some of the reviews therein concern the self-punting side of the boathouse.
we are very low key with publicity and have found that it is really a business that promotes itself, with over 90% of our business being walk ins of the street. Obviously this year that is not going to happen.
If you want to know what all the fuss is about there is plenty of film footage and still photographs all over the internet, just google punting in cambridge
Here is a link to a film made in March by 2 youtubers ( unfortunately they talk over the spoken tour and are a wee bit self obsessed but you get the idea. )this was the last tour I gave before the lockdown.
https://youtu.be/MV2IZYL2x5c
This project offered rewards