TOURISM businesses across North Yorkshire were serenaded by sports presenter Chris Kamara with Christmas hits from his new album as they celebrated clinching prestigious regional awards.
This year’s White Rose Awards ceremony was the biggest yet, with more awards up for grabs than ever before.
It saw 103 finalists battle it out to win in 19 categories with a number of new awards added for 2019, including Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism.
This year also saw the introduction of the Gold, Silver, Bronze award system allowing the judges to recognise the achievements of even more well-deserving Yorkshire businesses.
It also means more opportunities for finalists to progress through to the national tourism awards run by Visit England.
The awards ceremony was held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night and was hosted by former Emmerdale actor Natalie Anderson and broadcaster Rich Williams.
Rich Williams and Natalie Anderson
It also featured a live performance by sports presenter Chris Kamara who sang a couple of festive numbers from his Christmas album.
He said: "What a reception, the crowd was amazing! It was my first ever live public performance of any of the tracks from my album and the whole evening was something special. I’m Yorkshire born and bred-Yorkshire people are the best and see so many happy people celebrated tonight for making Yorkshire a great place to live and visit was fantastic."
Among the North Yorkshire businesses to recieve awards on the night were; Cottage in the Dales, Leyburn, Woodlands Farm, Northallerton and The George and Dragon, Richmond.
Chair of Judges Elaine Lemm said: "What a night!
Leeds Carnival performers
"It’s been fantastic to see all these wonderful businesses who work so hard giving visitors to Yorkshire the best experience possible and ultimately keep them coming back year on year.
"These businesses go above and beyond, and it’s been brilliant to see them get the recognition they deserve.
"The partnership with Visit England means most of tonight’s winners go through to the national finals and I’m certain from the incredible standard we’ve had here tonight we’ll be seeing many national awards coming home to Yorkshire."
Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire, Peter Box said: "I couldn’t have been prouder to have been a part of tonight’s White Rose Awards to see the very best in Yorkshire tourism honoured for their huge amount of hard work and dedication to making Yorkshire one of the best places to visit in the world."
"Every single winner whether they got a bronze, silver or gold should be incredibly proud."
The full list of White Rose Award winners 2019
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
GOLD: The Deep, Hull
SILVER: Hull Truck Theatre
BRONZE: Cottage in the Dales, Leyburn
Arts & Culture Award
GOLD: Hull Truck Theatre
SILVER: Freedom Festival Arts Trust, Hull
BRONZE: Emma Stothard Sculpture, Whitby
B&B and Guest House of the Year
GOLD: The Barn, Monk Fryston
SILVER: Grassfield Hall, Pateley Bridge
BRONZE: Woodlands Farm, Northallerton
Business Events Venue of the Year
GOLD: Broughton Hall Estate, Skipton
SILVER: The Grand, York
BRONZE: Inox - The University of Sheffield
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
GOLD: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton
SILVER: Vale of Pickering Caravan Park
BRONZE: Patrington Haven Leisure Park Hull
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD: William's Den, North Cave
SILVER: Fodder, Harrogate
BRONZE: Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens
Experience of the Year
GOLD: Hotham's Gin School and Distillery, Hull
SILVER: YORTOURS, Harrogate
BRONZE: Leeds Cookery School
Inns & Restaurants with Rooms Award
GOLD: Manor House Lindley, Lindley
SILVER: The Star Inn at Harome
BRONZE: Estbek House, Whitby
International Tourism Award
GOLD: Castle Howard, York
SILVER: Visit York
BRONZE: The Grand, York
Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD: The Grand, York
SILVER: The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, Skipton
BRONZE: Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton
SILVER: York Maze
BRONZE: RSPB Bempton Cliffs
New Tourism Business Award
GOLD: William's Den, North Cave
SILVER: Hotham's Gin School and Distillery, Hull
BRONZE: Bonus Arena, Hull
Producers and Makers Award
GOLD: York Emporium
SILVER: Puckett's Pickles, York
BRONZE: Hotham's Gin School and Distillery, Hull
Pub of the Year
GOLD: The Durham Ox, Crayke
SILVER: The Millers Bar, Brighouse
BRONZE: The George and Dragon, Richmond
Self -Catering Accommodation of the Year
GOLD: Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
SILVER: Brompton Lakes, Richmond
BRONZE: Smallshaw Cottages & Spa, Sheffield
Small Hotel of the Year
GOLD: Grays Court Hotel & The Bow Room Restaurant, York
SILVER: The Wensleydale Heifer, Leyburn
BRONZE: Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, Hunmanby
SILVER: Hotham's Gin School and Distillery, Hull
BRONZE: Go Ape Dalby
Taste of England Award
GOLD: The Star Inn at Harome
SILVER: Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes
BRONZE: The Pheasant Hotel, Harome
Tourism Event Award
GOLD: Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
SILVER: Hallowscream at York Maze
BRONZE: Springtime Live, Harrogate
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