BUSINESSES from around Copeland gather at the Sellafield Centre last week for the 2008 Copeland Pride Awards….
Judges had spent two days visiting the finalists who had been nominated to choose winners in the categories of accommodation, retailing, pub/club, customer service and food establishment. Criteria for all categories included qualities such as service, quality, the premises and value for money.
The award for Best Tourism Attraction was Muncaster Castle – celebrating its 800th anniversary this year.
Awards judge Elaine Woodburn said: “Copeland’s tourism attractions are becoming more and more important for our economy in these ever-as changing times.
“Our winner is a family-run establishment whose owners have learnt to change with the trends, culminating in an extremely well-run and diverse tourism attraction combining the traditional country home with new ideas.
“From weddings to ghost nights, from stunning gardens to owls, this magnificent attraction provides top class family entertainment with something for everyone.
“Historical, informative and entertaining, it is a great destination for visitors throughout the year. A majestic reminder of the past mingled with the present, this truly is a gem on Copeland’s landscape.”
And an Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Mark Andrews. Elaine told the guests at the awards ceremony: “The Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery children’s fund was formed in 2002 by famous local musician Francis Dunnery, in honour of his parents with the sole aim of raising funds for children’s health and educational needs in and around his hometown of Egremont.
With Francis’ rock and roll life style meaning that he is permanently based across the pond in America, he needed some help on his home patch, and enlisted his old school mate, Mark Andrews.
“He gladly accepted the task, and while Francis has continued to be the public face of the charity over the years there is little doubt that behind the scenes Mark has been the charities most influential cog. Since its inception in 2002, the fund has raised over £25,000 for children’s schools and hospitals, with every single penny spent locally.
“This year’s main fund-raising event was held in early October, and saw a record turn-out, with yet more money raised for local children’s good causes”
The sponsors of the awards are UKAEA; Copeland Borough Council; Sellafield Sites Ltd; The Whitehaven News; Millom and Haverigg Economic Regeneration Group; Egremont and Area Regeneration Partnership; Regen NE Copeland Ltd.
Accommodation:- Cleator Moor: Grove Court; Millom: Duddon Villa; Egremont: Bookwell Garth; Whitehaven: Moresby Hall.Best Retailer:- Cleator Moor: The Card Shop; Millom: Home Design; Egremont: Wilsons Butchers; Whitehaven: Whitehaven Garden Centre.Pub/Club:- Cleator Moor: The Stork; Millom: Brown Cow; Egremont: King’s Arms; Whitehaven: Mirehouse Labour and Social Club and The Vagabond.Customer Service:- Cleator Moor: Rapunzels and Pedersons; Millom: Hair Gallery; Egremont: JJs; Whitehaven: Brooks.Food Establishment:- Cleator Moor: Scoffs; Millom: Surees; Egremont: Falcon Club; Whitehaven: The Georgian House.Overall winners:- Accommodation: Moresby Hall; Best Retailer: Wilsons Butchers; Pub/Club: The Vagabond; Customer Service: Brooks; Food Establishment: Surees and Scoffs.Best Tourism Attraction Award: Muncaster Castle; Outstanding Achievement Award: Mark Andrews.
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 27, 2008
Published in The Whitehaven News