Hereford Guild of Guides – A Short History
The Guild was formed in 1981 as a non-profit-making body to assist tourism in the City. The guides are unpaid volunteers who have made a study of the origins and development of Hereford. They have been accepted as the mayor’s official guides and are proud to wear a badge with the city’s coat-of-arms.
We have a constitution, and a committee that meets regularly, consisting of three elected members and a number of co opted members bringing a variety of specific skills to help maintain and develop guild activities.
As well as assisting tourism in the city, we feel it’s important to engage with members of the local community. We offer locals a limited number of free walk events during the year and work with local schools. We are proud of our recent achievement in 2025 to install a new stone statue of Dan the Bulldog on the banks of the River Wye. See more about this here.
Each guide prepares his or her own route, varying it to suit the walkers and the weather. Every walk will take in places of particular interest in the centre, and though it is not usual to go into buildings, those of special importance that are open will be pointed out. The guide will tell you about the history of the city and suggest other places you may care to visit on your own.
As an organisation, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The safety and well-being of those we work with is our highest priority. All of our guides receive regular safeguarding training to ensure they are confident in recognising, responding to, and reporting any concerns appropriately. We follow robust policies and procedures in line with current legislation and best practice.
“Be it known that at a meeting of the Hereford City Council on 5th October 2010, it was resolved that the Hereford Guild of Guides receive a Mayoral Commendation. This award recognises thirty years of voluntary service by members of the Guild in promoting tourism and assisting visitors to the city with guided walks. On behalf of the Council and people of the City, this Commendation is awarded by the Right Worshipful Madam Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Anna Toon”. Signed, Anna Toon Dated 2nd December 2010.
In 2011 our founder, Jean O’Donnell was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community in Hereford.
On Saturday 26th July 2025, the first day of the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, a crowd assembled beneath clear skies along the riverbank at Bishop’s Meadow to experience a touching moment in local history—the unveiling of a brand-new statue of Dan the Bulldog, the cherished dog who inspired Sir Edward Elgar’s 11th Enigma Variation.
For more than twenty years, Dan’s wooden figure quietly stood on the south bank of the River Wye, honouring his playful nature and the musical legacy he helped ignite. However, years of flooding had left the statue weathered and damaged. Thanks to the commitment of the Hereford Guild of Mayor’s Guides, along with generous contributions from Hereford City Council, The Elmley Foundation, and the Herefordshire Community Foundation, Dan has now been revitalised in lasting stone. Read more here
In December 2025, the Guild attended their annual Mayor’s reception in the Town Hall, this year hosted by the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Hereford Councillor Daniel Powell.