03/04/2009

York's tourism businesses celebrated in style last night (Thursday 2nd April) at the annual tourism ‘Oscars', held at York Racecourse and organised by Visit York. Sponsored by over twenty of York's businesses, the Awards were handed out to sixteen deserving winners by the BBC's Look North presenter Harry Gration.  Over one hundred and fifty entries were received for the Awards this year.

Over four hundred businesses attended the glittering awards ceremony which celebrates excellence in the tourism industry.  Low Penhowe at Burythorpe near Malton scooped the much coveted award for best guest house, best hotel went to the York Marriott, best visitor attraction was won by Castle Howard and the highly contested award for best eating place was picked up by Melton's Too. 

Scooping two highly prized awards, York Theatre Royal bosses were in celebratory mood as they won in two categories:

Best Visitor Experience was awarded to the Theatre Royal for their highly acclaimed production of the Railway Children in association with the National Railway Museum. 

And the award for Tourism Ambassador 2009 was bestowed on Berwick Kaler and the York Theatre Royal pantomime.  Last year marked Berwick's 30th year in his infamous role as the panto dame and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London honoured this special event by recording a performance for its national archive.

Damian Cruden, Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal said 'For 30 years Berwick and the brilliant casts, production teams and staff of the Theatre Royal have brought fun, laughter and a real sense of community to families in York at Christmas time. The annual York Theatre Royal pantomime is recognised nationally and internationally and is a huge asset to the City - to local residents and York's tourism industry. We are really delighted that Berwick and the YTR pantomime have received this recognition from Visit York.'

John Yeomans, Chairman of Visit York said, ‘All the finalists and winners deserve huge congratulations for the high quality of customer care that is given to York's four million annual visitors - an essential ingredient for encouraging tourists to come back again and again.  We're particularly pleased too to honour Berwick for the contribution he has made in raising York's profile on an international stage, he's an incredible asset to the city'.

Berwick has already been awarded the freedom of the city as well as an honorary degree.

Morrell Middleton sponsored a charity casino at the event which is hoped will raise hundreds of pounds for the York shopmobility scheme.

The 2009  Tourism Award Winners and Finalists are:

Sales Person of the Year, Sponsored by Ideas Group
Winner: Louise Huckerby, York Marriott Hotel

Finalists:
Claudia Cardosa Poce de Leon, Fenwick
Nikki Brannan, The Monkbar Hotel

Behind the Scenes Employee of the Year, Sponsored by The Jespers Office
Winner: Tony Newby, Monkbar Hotel

Finalists:
Brenda Glenn, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Moira Cooke, Burn Hall Hotel and Conference Centre

Front of House Employee of the Year, Sponsored by FR Fowler & Son Burnholme Fisheries
Winner: Tony Morgan Taylor, JORVIK

Finalists:
Annabel Saunders, The Living Room
Jose Luis Sanchez, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Lucy Crowther, York Designer Outlet

Department Manager of the Year, Sponsored by YCE Catering Equipment
Winner: Valerie Storer, Dean Court Hotel

Finalists:
Dave Asbury, The Monkbar Hotel
David Barker, Middlethorpe Hall
Philip Schofield, The Royal York Hotel

Outstanding Customer Service, sponsored by Pindar Graphics
Winner: The Team at The Grange Hotel

Finalists:
Greg Palmer, Monkbar Hotel
Jane and William Brown, Monkgate Guest House,
Lucy Crowther, York Designer Outlet

Culinary Excellence, sponsored by Deliciously Yorkshire
Winner: Chris Grant, Dean Court Hotel

Finalists:
Benjamin Watson, Dean Court Hotel
Dominik O'Connor, Royal York Hotel
Richard Shelton,  Burn Hall Hotel and Conference Centre

Best Marketing Campaign, sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport
Winner: North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Finalists:
The Grand Tour, York Museums Trust
History of York, York Museums Trust

Best Hotel, sponsored by Matthew Clark
Winner: York Marriott Hotel

Finalists:
Dean Court Hotel
Park Inn
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

Best Guest House, sponsored by Yorkshire Laundry Services Ltd
Winner: Low Penhowe, Burythorpe

Finalists:
The Farthings
Monkgate Guesthouse
Warrens

Best Self Catering Accommodation, Sponsored by New Vision Group
Winner: York Luxury Holidays

Finalists:
Dovecote Barns
Skipwith Station Holidays

Best Conference Business, Sponsored by Ceejay Graphics and Alphasound
Winner: York Museums Trust (The Hospitiium)

Finalists:
Monkbar Hotel
National Railway Museum
York Science Park

Best Attraction, Sponsored by National Express East Coast
Winner: Castle Howard

Finalists:
Go Ape
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
York Maze

Best Visitor Experience, sponsored by Foundation Marketing Communications
Winner: The Railway Children
Produced by York Theatre Royal and the National Railway Museum

Finalists:
Ghost Hunt of York (Andy Auster)
The Grand Tour (York Museums Trust)
York Maze Firework Spectacular

Best Eating Place, sponsored by Falcon Foodservice Equipment and William Refrigeration
Winner: Melton's Too

Finalists:
Café Harlequin
Café No. 8 Bistro
Ivy Brasserie
Jeff Baker's Bistro Moderne
The Living Room

Best Employer, sponsored by Denison Till
Winner: York Marriott Hotel

Finalists:
Dean Court Hotel
Monkbar Hotel
Royal York Hotel

York Tourism Ambassador 2009, sponsored by First
Berwick Kaler and the York Theatre Royal pantomime.

John Yeomans continued, ‘We know that these are challenging times for many businesses.  We believe it's more important than ever that we recognise and value the contribution that York's tourism industry makes to the city and that we reward all the excellent work that's going on here in York. '  ENDS

For more information, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York,
Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org or Katie Porter, PR Executive Tel 01904 554436 email kp@visityork.org

Notes to the Editor
 
York Ambassador - sponsored by First 
This award goes to an individual who consistently goes out of their way to ensure visitors have a memorable time in York and leave wanting to revisit. Previous winners have included a bus driver, a taxi driver and a tour guide. The 2008 winner was Sister Agatha whose tireless efforts over many years raised the profile of Bar Convent and promoted York around the world.

The judges were looking for evidence that nominees have:
· acted above and beyond the call of duty.
· consistently endeavoured to promote York.
· contributed to enhancing the overall visitor experience.
· a commitment to quality and improvement.
· are enthusiastic and highly motivated in what they do.

Judges for the awards were from the city of York council, the Bar Convent, york-england.com, the Yorkshire Tourist Board, the York Press, Deliciously Yorkshire, Dennison Till and Business Link. 

Berwick Kaler and the York Theatre Royal Pantomime
The Theatre Royal's annual  pantomime is a York institution. Written and co-directed by its infamous Dame, Berwick Kaler, it is widely credited as being one of the best pantomimes in the country. Year after year Berwick, with regulars David Leonard, Martin Barrass and Suzy Cooper delight and entertain audiences of thousands of loyal and new fans who travel from as far a field as Japan to see his latest creation.

Last year marked his 30th year in his infamous role. The V & A marked this special event by recording a performance for its national archive.

It all began in 1976. After 10 years of playing the villains in pantomimes around the country Berwick Kaler was hired to act in Twelfth Night at York Theatre Royal. The director asked him to stay on and play an ugly sister in Cinderella. The script was so bad that Berwick started adlibbing. He was given such a rave review with the Yorkshire Evening Press that he was given the role as dame. The rest is history.
 
Media Quotes:
"The man deserves a knighthood for services to ephemeral, festive entertainment. Arise, Sir Dame Berwick. Or should that be the other way around?" The Guardian

"...the Theatre Royal panto tradition of unrivalled inventiveness and constant reinvention." York Press
 
"Here's the best panto in Yorkshire. The best panto in the North, come to that.  Almost definitely the best panto in the entire UK. Certainly the best panto in the world.  And without doubt the bestest ever pantomime in the entire universe" Doncaster Advertiser
 
"Berwick Kaler is simply unique. There is no other way to describe him. Other venues have the same actor playing dame but Kaler has been at it for 29 years. Not only that, but directs and writes the script. Twenty years ago, he was already an institution." The Stage
 
On 1st March when pantomime goes on sale, the Theatre Royal has queues from 3am of loyal fans who want to secure the performance and seat of their choice for the year ahead. Over 54,000 people saw Dick Turpin in 2008/9.    
 
Audiences for the 8 week run come from all over the country and the world (as we hear every year, when Berwick reads out letters and requests from fans). For many people the York Theatre Royal pantomime is part of their family Christmas and they never miss a year. The show appeals to all ages (everyone is one of Berwick's Babbies and Bairns) and generations of families all come together to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

And What the People Said:
 
"Me and my family have been coming to York Theatre Royal's panto for the past 12 years! We still love it!!"

"it was a relief to get to the interval, i needed a break because I laughed so much it hurt!!! "
The last night of the pantomime is so popular that tickets are allocated through a draw.
 
2008 has been a significant year for Berwick and the York Theatre Royal pantomime. Not only was it Berwick's 30th year, it was also the villian David Leonard's 21st. The V&A maked this special event by recording a performance for it's national archive - an honour indeed. Also Mulberry Hall decided to immoralise York's favourite character by producing a china candle snuffer of Berwick as the Dame - a collectors item for many fans.
 
Berwick is local celebrity, has an honoury degree from the University of York and is a freeman of the City.