by Lizzie Massey

When it comes to delving into the past, there’s one man who knows more than most.

And while history buff and tour guide Christoph Bull has retired after more than 35 years of service with North West Kent libraries, he won’t be giving up his passion entirely.

The 55-year-old has put on countless guided tours and library talks during his time as district manager of the libraries in Dartford, Gravesham and Swale.

He said: “As a young man, what attracted me to libraries was the opportunity to work with people and delve into the history of the area.

“I couldn’t tell you how many walks I’ve done and it’s the same for the library talks as well.

“The stories I tell in the talks are more interesting than you might imagine. It’s not just the history of a library – it revolves around people, the funny things that have happened and who’s visited over the years.

“It’s all about bringing local history to local people and they’re always surprised by all the things that have happened in their area. It’s fascinating stuff.”

Outside work, the father-of-two is also the vice-president of Gravesend’s Historical Society, vice-chairman of the Dartford Historical and Antiquarian Society, founder of Chalk Parish History Group and chairman of the Shorne local history group.

“My wife always says to people that she’s a history widow, because I’m so involved with everything historical in the area,” he said. “It’s about time I give her a bit more attention.

“It is sad to be leaving somewhere I’ve spent so much of my life, and I don’t know where this change is going to take me.”

Christoph, of Miller Road, Chalk, plans to continue his guided adventures around North West Kent.

He said: “I certainly won’t be wasting my days and I’m looking forward to concentrating on what I really want to do, which is more history.

“I’ll be doing lots more talks and walks and hopefully writing more local history books and pamphlets, including revamping one of my old leaflets on Gravesham and the civil war.”

The history lover has lived in north west Kent all his life and went to Gordon School for Boys, which is now Chantry Primary School, in Ordnance Road, Gravesend.

He watched with interest as Gravesend’s library was partly rebuilt and restored and was heavily involved in ensuring its character was maintained. He said: “History is so important. How can you fully understand who and what is here now, without knowing how it all got to be this way?”

Christoph’s walks have attracted more than 100 people at a time, especially his ‘Winter Warmers’ between Christmas and New Year.

If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy he is also chairman of Gravesend’s Town Twinning Association, a group keen to establish links with, and visit, people from different countries.

Gravesham is twinned with Neumunster in Germany, Cambrai in France; Chesterfield County in Virginia, USA and Jalhandar in India.