Thirsk - "a perfect place to visit", according to the leaflet published by the Thirsk Regeneration Initiative. The leaflet, however, does not manage to divulge any information whatsoever for visitors with disabilities.

Readers requiring further information are directed to Thirsk Tourist Information Centre who, when I enquired, were equally unforthcoming on information for anyone with special needs.

Of all the leaflets available in the centre, only one - "Thirsk Swimming Pool" - referred to disabled access. "The centre is accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities," it said.

One other - Hambleton District's "Community Leisure Directory" - marks certain of its listed activities that have "Disabled Participation". Hardly replete with information, but it's nice to get a mention.

Luckily, I was not dependent on this scant information as I was fortunate to be meeting Lionel Twiss, who had kindly offered to be my guide for the morning.

It is a shame the folk who produced the leaflets on Thirsk did not consult Lionel. He is local and has significant insight into the needs of a wheelchair user. His son is blind and has grown up always needing a wheelchair to get about.

Having parked myself near The Baker's Oven, I crossed the cobbles on the level path towards the pelican crossing. This gave access to the northern half of the Market Square where I was to meet Lionel. Disabled parking is available at two points in the Market Square; several bays exist where I parked and several more near the toilet block in the middle of the Market Place. We headed eastwards towards Millgate via a York stone path (beautiful to look at, but perilously uneven) and dropped kerbs to White Rose Books.

This was a delight with level entry, accessible displays and a coffee shop at the back. There was space here to chat, relax and feel welcome in a wheelchair.

After a fine cup of coffee, our route took us south along Millgate to where it crosses Finkle Street. The tactile (knobbly) dropped-kerb here was positioned in quite a perilous position that gave limited turning space for a wheelchair.

A bit of imaginative re-jigging of the junction here would enable narrow Finkle Street to be avoided when crossing to the south end of the Market Place.

Heading west, I noted that many shops had level access and felt that, surely, a list of these, along with banks having automatic doors, would be easy to produce for us visitors with limited mobility.

I needed some bread so we went into Thomas The Baker whose staff should have their own publicity leaflet at Tourist Information; they were most helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them.

At the west end of the Market Place, a dropped kerb exists opposite Lloyd's Bank. This is where we crossed before heading up Kirkgate. As its name suggests, this road leads to the church of St. Mary's, which is accessible. Kirkgate also leads to The World Of James Herriot which, sadly, we had not sufficient time to visit.

There are steps to the entrance, but a ramp is available. To request the ramp, a bell by the front door is rung although, ironically, access to this bell is blocked by a half-barrel of flowers.

It would be most thoughtful if the bell could be moved to a position where a wheelchair user could independently use it.

After returning to the north side of the Market Place, I paid a visit to the Post Office, which is tucked away at the back of the Co-Op supermarket.

All very level and accessible, with staff willing to move trollies and goods that narrowed the route at one point.

Before returning home, I was keen to visit The Holmes picnic area and playpark adjoining the car park on Marage Road. Approaching it from Millgate, the visitor passes another toilet block, with one dedicated to disabled people ("Spare key at The Three Tuns") - very useful since I was unable to gain access to the other one in the Market Place which, I suspect, had a faulty lock.

There is also a delightful riverside picnic area, room for little ones to run and spread their wings and, nearby, further parking which would be particularly handy on market days (Mondays and Saturdays).

Thirsk is, indeed, a very fine place to visit.

However, just a little thoughtful attention to the detail of providing information for visitors with disabilities would help hugely. During the course of my short visit and conversation with Lionel, we could have produced a makeshift guide that any school, church or volunteer group could improve on and then make available around the town. So what are you waiting for Thirsk?

FACT FILE:

Thirsk Tourist Information Centre, 49 Market Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 1HA; (01845) 522755 Hambleton District Council, Leisure and Tourism Services, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton, DL6 2UU; (01609) 779977;

email: leisurehambleton.gov.uk

Contact us... have you any feedback on this article? Is there a town or attraction you would like Phil to visit? Get in touch with us on www.thisisthenortheast/leisure/accessallareas or write to Phil c/o Access All Areas, Features, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF.

The Ken Handley Suite in Bishop Auckland will host a free Service Providers' Exhibition on April 15 from 10am to 3pm. On display will be equipment designed to make premises accessible in anticipation of the change in October of this year to the Disability Discrimination Act.

More info from Wear Valley Disability Access Forum on (01388) 763994.

Phil Donegan, 49, lives in Stockton with his wife and three children. He was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis six years ago and had to retire from teaching. If there is a town or attraction you would like him to try out for disabled access, please write to him at The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, Co Durham, DL1 1NF.

Published: 09/03/2004