Birdwatching legend Bill Oddie opens new Slimbridge foyer
Bill Oddie cut the ribbon and announced WWT Slimbridge’s refurbished foyer was open for business today.
The well-known writer and presenter then walked through the doors leading other visitors behind him into the new welcoming and vibrant admissions space.
Changes at the foyer include an expanded cafe, a visitor information desk and a large table map of daily highlights.
The grain desk and the business reception have also moved to the new area.
A dedicated ‘Welcome team’ of staff and volunteers, will work in the foyer greeting visitors and helping them plan their day.
Centre manager Veronica Chrisp, said: “We are delighted that Bill was able to come and open the refurbished Foyer. We have been planning these exciting changes for some time.
“We felt we didn’t have a great welcome for our visitors before, so we are pleased that with this work we have now put this right.
“This new foyer is bright and vibrant and will be a hub of information. It is not just an admissions hall it is part of the whole visitor experience.”
The first visitors entering all received a special duck-shaped biscuit and bucks fizz.
At the opening Mr Oddie spoke fondly of his memories of the WWT Slimbridge site over the years which included meeting Sir Peter Scott on several occasions and various TV work.
He then spent the rest of the day at WWT Slimbridge helping present this week’s Wildlife Weekly video blog.
