THE WOMAN behind some of the Vale’s biggest festivals finished a creditable runner-up in a national competition to become Visit England’s Tourism Superstar.
Wychavon tourism officer Angela Tidmarsh was pipped to the post at the last hurdle, recording 18 per cent of the votes from just one of just ten UK tourism leading lights to the eventual winner Matthew Henderson of Beamish Museum in County Durham.
Throughout February residents across Evesham and Pershore rallied behind the ‘Vote4Ange’ campaign, which saw an array of events including purple and green food in honour of her promoting the Plum and Asparagus Festivals’ across the Vale over
the years.
Mrs Tidmarsh said: “I have been humbled by the support I’ve had across Worcestershire, people have been so kind and gone to so much trouble and I’ve been made to feel like a winner everywhere I’ve visited.
“It would have been nice to have won, primarily as a thank you to the county for all its support but I am still extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to represent Worcestershire and its tourism businesses in this way.”
The campaign trails aim was to heavily publicise Mrs Tidmarsh as a nominee for the prestigious award throughout Wychavon but was such a success that votes were even clocked in Thailand, Australia, Denmark and Italy.
Phil Merrick, head of community services at Wychavon said: “Ange will always be a winner in our hearts, what she’s done to raise the profile of Wychavon and Worcestershire is phenomenal and to be the runner up in this prestigious competition is fantastic.
“Thank you to everyone who supported her in her amazing campaign.”
Angela Tidmarsh on the march with her entourage. (s)
