Durham grandfather and winner of Visit County Durham’s Tourism Superstar 2016 award has been shortlisted for a prestigious national prize.
Alan Anderson, 63, who has worked as park ranger at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, for more than 17 years, is one of 10 finalists across the country to have made the coveted shortlist for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2017 award.
The hardworking ranger unlocks the gates of the park daily at 5am – even on Christmas Day – and is out come rain, snow or shine maintaining 200 acres of ancient parkland and woodland and enhancing the natural habitat of the local wildlife.
As well as tending to the deer park and gardens, he also runs school holiday activities, undertakes a wide range of conservation work, and volunteers for additional tasks, including greeting castle visitors.
Alan was put forward for the national award by Visit County Durham, after winning the destination management organisation’s Durham Tourism Superstar competition in 2016. The national award will be decided by a nationwide public vote.
Alan was originally nominated by his colleagues at Auckland Castle Trust because of his warm and engaging personality and enthusiastic dedication to his demanding outdoor role.
He said: “I was absolutely astounded to be named Durham Tourism Superstar. And even more so, to be nominated for the national award. It’s flattering to be recognised for doing a job I absolutely love and it would be amazing to be supported by the North East in the public vote.”
The high-profile national competition has been won by two Durham Tourism Superstars the last two years running. Lilian Groves, an octogenarian volunteer senior tour guide at Durham Cathedral, won last year’s award, and in 2015 Matthew Henderson, engagement and participation team assistant at Beamish Museum, triumphed, having originally joined the team as an apprentice.
Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, said: “We are delighted that Alan has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. After securing two national winners in the last two years, we’re hoping for three in a row! It is fantastic that Alan’s obvious dedication to his work has been acknowledged in this way. We hope everyone will now get behind the competition and vote for Alan.”
The competition, launched in 2012, is run by VisitEngland and supported by the Daily Mirror.
Shortlisted candidates need the public’s votes to win and be crowned Tourism Superstar 2017. Visit mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar to watch a short film featuring Alan and the Superstar finalists. Voting is now open and closes on March 29. The winner will be announced during English Tourism Week 2017 (25 March – 2 April).
VisitEngland director, Patricia Yates, said: “The sheer calibre of this year’s entrants is testament to the outstanding customer service that is the foundation of England’s tourism industry. I really encourage you to join in and vote as we celebrate our Tourism Superstars who consistently go above and beyond customers’ expectations, and who contribute so much to ensure visitors have a great time.”
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar initiative recognises the heroes within the industry who far exceed the call of duty to ensure visitors have the most amazing experience.
To vote for Alan, visit: www.thisisdurham.com/vote