Prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award

The Lytham Hall outdoor theatre season is in the running for a prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award, following a successful presentation in front of a panel of three at the Blackburn Rovers’ stadium, Ewood Park.

Theatre organiser Julian Wilde, together with Peter Anthony, newly appointed general manager at the Hall and 18 year old Julia Munro, leader of the season’s Meet and Greet team, were interviewed by an experienced judging panel, chaired by Richard Sharpley, Professor of Tourism at the University of Central Lancashire.

The four play season was one of six finalists in the Small Tourism Category, after a summer when Lytham Hall drew the largest attendance in the country for Illyria’s touring productions of The Mikado. and then of The Emperor’s New Clothes in August. Other finalists in the category included Chorley Flower Show and the Burnley Canal Festival.

Julian Wilde thought that the interview had been both rigorous and fair.

“We had the opportunity to talk about the strengths of the theatre season, particularly the outstanding work of our teams of unpaid volunteers and then to answer some searching questions. I thought that having a team of varying ages talking with the judges was to our advantage and that we established a pleasing rapport with the judges. We all felt after our 25 minutes that the interview had gone well.

The annual Lancashire Tourism Awards, now in their 14th year, are organised by Marketing Lancashire. Chief Executive Ruth O’ Connor feels that the Awards are a celebration of the success of businesses, individuals and partnerships across Lancashire.

“Those who have reached this stage of the competition are to be congratulated, as applications increase each year and the field of competition grows. The 67 million visitors now enjoying short breaks and holidays each year in Lancashire are offered quality and variety in their tourism experiences.”

The winners of the Awards will be announced at a Presentation Evening at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Thursday November 9th.