Schoolboy takes on role of new city tour guide

HE IS 14 and still at school, but Sam Pointon has already held down two top jobs in York.
Sam PointonSam Pointon
Sam Pointon

Eight years ago, the National Railway Museum appointed him its “director of fun” for the summer holidays, and this year the city’s Grand Hotel and Spa has repeated the exercise, tasking him with “leading a campaign to help children get the most out of their visits to York”.

The hotel, the only AA five-star establishment in the county, has produced a series of videos in which Sam dispenses tips for fellow teenagers, younger children and their parents on York’s historic sites, restaurants and other visitor attractions.

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He said: “I literally jumped at the chance to become the director of fun and families.

“The hotel wrote to my dad to ask if I’d like to help them with family-friendly stuff to do in York – I’m guessing there aren’t many kids who’ve done this sort of thing before.

“Each week over the summer I’ll be sharing a new video with stuff I think will be good for children and their mums and dads to do and see in York.”

Michelle Brown, marketing manager of the tourism agency, Visit York, said: “It’s brilliant to be involved in such a family-focused campaign. York has an abundance of events happening over the summer holidays and Sam has certainly provided plenty of options for the whole family to enjoy.”

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The hotel’s general manager, Philip Bolson, added: “ We are very excited to welcome Sam. He is full of brilliant advice for young people visiting York and will help us enhance our family-friendly activities at the hotel.”

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