On a cold and bright October morning back in 2020, the Buxton Crescent Visitor Experience opened its doors to the expectant public for the first time. Just a few short months later, also arriving and also bright and shining, was trainee tour guide Lucas Mitchell. Over 5 action packed years later, Lucas is moving on and leaving the Crescent Experience, how will they cope?
A lover of history, costumes and bears (more anon), Lucas recalls those first feverish weeks.
We opened during Covid, great timing for a tourist attraction! We also gave out 6000 free tickets to locals as we wanted as many people as possible to know we were here and spread the word. We didn’t have a lot of material in the beginning so I did a lot of research. We were still all trying to work out the kinks, so a lot of things were managed on the fly. I loved it!
Part of the whole people ‘getting to know about us’ thing was getting mentions in the media. So Lucas being Lucas decided to harness his own burgeoning social media platform in a typically slightly eccentric way. What about using a bear? Of course, it’s so obvious! So Solomon the bear was born and began to boldly go on some adventures with Lucas. So far he has been to Ireland, Croatia and Buxton of course, not quite as far as Paddington but there is still time! One thing we are blessed with in our staff group chat is FAR too many pictures of Solomon’s Travels.
Back in the Crescent Experience, Lucas treasures his time with each and every visitor: For each one it’s a unique experience and I try to make it as memorable as possible for them. I’m passionate about history and I try to show that. I love taking round large groups of people, it’s a lot of fun. The team here is great too, I’ve seen them come and go over the years. It’s a bit heartbreaking for me to leave but I’m only going to Poole’s Cavern so they can come and see me there!’
A longtime lover of costumes, Lucas could occasionally be seen promenading through the Crescent in full Georgian regalia to promote the Buxton Crescent Experience. He is a huge fan of the new trial initiative to extend the excitement of wearing costumes to visitors.
It’s just wonderful to see their faces light up when they are in costume, it’s almost like they become someone else. I do feel strongly that the Buxton Crescent Experience is deeply underrated, it’s the one thing I’d recommend visitors to see in Buxton above everything else.
The team will be sad of course to see Lucas go after more than 5 years but it’s fair to say he has left a bit of a legacy. Will he take Solomon with him to Poole’s Cavern? Or possibly Solomon’s sister, Delilah? Who can tell?
When team members were asked to sum up Lucas in one word. The silence was deafening. Unique? Unpredictable? Never boring? Likes bears? Is he actually Georgian?
One thing is sure. Lucas will be missed and our loss is certainly Poole Cavern’s gain. Good luck, Lucas!
