Beamish's Penny Farthing Guy named Durham Tourism Superstar

Ian Bean, an ‘engager’ at Beamish has been crowned Durham’s Tourism Superstar for 2023 after almost 40 years ensuring visitors have an unforgettable experience at the museum.

Ian, who has clocked up more than 300,000 views on TikTok as the Penny Farthing Guy, has volunteered at the living museum for 37 years, since he was 20.

Read more: Work starts on new café that will be built in old toilet block

From riding penny farthings, restoring vintage vehicles and taking part in Suffragette rallies, to helping to deliver sessions for people living with dementia, marshalling events and playing the street organ – he is a man of many talents who always goes above and beyond for visitors and his colleagues.

The asymmetric two-wheeler dates back to the Victorian era and can be ridden on the roads with BBC host Jeremy Vine a fan.

Ian said: “I’m elated and stunned to have won Durham Tourism Superstar. Thank you very much to everyone who voted for me, it’s absolutely fantastic.

“It’s an honour to be nominated in the first place and to be shortlisted down to five and then to win is overwhelming. This represents the quality of people working in the tourism industry in Durham and, in our case, Beamish Museum.

Ian (right) being presented with his award by Visit County Durham interim chair Duncan Peake (left). (Image: PR)

“Working at Beamish is great, it doesn’t really feel like work, if you do something you enjoy you never work a day in your life.

“It would be an honour to promote Durham and its unique and stunning attractions at the national Tourism Superstar award and to tell people how wonderful Durham is, which I’d certainly do to the best of my ability.”

Ian will now go forward as Visit County Durham’s nomination for the Visit England and Mirror Travel national Tourism Superstar contest.

Ian was nominated for the prize alongside staff and volunteers from a range of visitor attractions. The other finalists were Peter Robinson from Locomotion, Michelle Fenwick of Raby Estates, Jonathan Raper of Teesdale Cheesemakers and the Park Marshalls team at Diggerland.

Read next:

• Mum's anger as son 'sat in wheelchair' while class enjoys bouncy castle
• See the new eatery opening at Newcastle Airport just in time for the summer getaway
• Kids get end of term surprise as pop singer turns up for school gig

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here

The competition was voted for by the public with Ian securing the most votes.

Rhiannon Hiles, chief executive of Beamish Museum, said: “We are extremely proud of Ian and will be supporting him if he goes on to represent Durham in the national competition.”

Over the last decade, three individuals from Durham have gone on to win the national Tourism Superstar title, two from Beamish - Emily Hope and Matthew Henderson – and Lillian Groves  from Durham Cathedral.