THE five names in the frame to become the next Durham Tourism Superstar are announced today.
They work for some of the jewels in Durham's tourist crown, including Durham Cathedral and Bowes Museum. One of the nominees runs her own bird of prey business, another is a guide at Crook Hall while the fifth is a 90-year-old gardener with an 80 year connection to Ushaw Hall.
The contest to find the outstanding tourism worker in the county is run by Visit County Durham and The Northern Echo, and the winner is being chosen by a poll here on the Echo's website.
Michelle Gorman, Managing Director at Visit County Durham, said: “We’re pleased to announce the finalists for Durham Tourism Superstar 2019. The shortlisting process was extremely tough this year, but we’re delighted to showcase five individuals from across the county who demonstrate their dedication and passion for our tourism offer, making Durham such a great place to visit”.
We are looking for the individual who shows passion and dedication and who goes the extra mile to ensure that visitors to the county have a memorable experience.
The winner will go through to the national tourism superstar competition, and will have a hard shoes to fill. In the last five years, all of Durham's superstars have reached the national shortlist and three have won the overall title.
Voting runs until noon on Friday, July 5, and the winner will be announced on July 10.
Lilli Broadbent, Visitor Desk Assistant at Durham Cathedral
LILLI loves working behind the busy visitor desk, ensuring the first point of welcome for visitors is one they will remember. She enjoys helping visitors make the most of their experience, explaining the exciting things to see and do within the beautiful cathedral that is steeped in history and spirituality.
She lives with the effects of having bone cancer as a child but that makes her feel luckier to work in a job she loves.
During her time at the cathedral her highlight was walking with the Durham Cathedral banner, which she helped to create, during this year’s Durham Pride parade.
Hannah Fawcett, Lead Visitor Assistant at The Bowes Museum
HANNAH didn’t realise she loved dealing with people until she started in her front of house role. She always greets and treats visitors the way she would like to be.
She tries her best to make everyone’s day a little better, whether that’s smiling at visitors, listening to the team to ensure they’re happy or squeezing some last-minute children to see Santa, whose trip to Lapland was cancelled.
She wants everyone to enjoy visiting The Bowes Museum. She said: “I can’t believe I’ve been shortlisted for Durham Tourism Superstar – I just do my job!”.
Tori Goodall, Head Falconer at Walworth Castle Birds of Prey
TORI'S one simple aim is to ensure that every visitor has a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they meet her birds, while at the same time educating them about birds of prey and conservation.
Tori ensures that all visitors are personally welcomed, made aware of the centre facilities, and always willing to any questions raised.
Tori’s enthusiasm and dynamism is infectious to her visitors and this can be seen in the constant feedback she receives about fabulous, informative and entertaining tours.
Brian Harvey, Volunteer Gardener at Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
NINETY-YEAR-OLD Brian is an active member of the volunteer gardening team. He originally arrived as an 11-year-old school boy and has had a constant relationship with Ushaw over the intervening 80 years.
He cares passionately about his role and is at the forefront of activity and interactions with visitors. He’s happy to answer questions, discuss new planting and provide information on future plans.
When asked why he still does this and doesn’t just sit with his feet up - he says he has always considered Ushaw his home.
Peter Robinson, Guest Experience Co-ordinator & General Assistant at Crook Hall and Gardens
PETER is a retired schoolteacher who first came to Crook Hall as a volunteer in 2016. One of the things that attracted him was his love of photography, and the opportunity to take some beautiful pictures in the gardens.
After being identified as a wonderful asset to the hall, he was offered a permanent roll in May 2017. It takes him 90 minutes to get to work on the bus which shows how dedicated he is.
Peter is happiest when he is making other people happy and is admired by both colleagues and visitors.
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