A key member of one of County Durham's premier attractions has won a prestigious tourism award.
Wendy Wilshere, the head of casting and engagement at 11 Arches, the organisation behind the beloved Kynren show, secured the most public votes in the Durham Tourism Superstar competition for 2024.
Durham County Council’s ‘Visit County Durham’ organises the annual competition.
Wendy, who joined Kynren - an epic, live, outdoor show in Bishop Auckland - as a volunteer in 2016, has recently become an employed team member
Colleagues and volunteers say they feel very lucky to work alongside Wendy as her passion for Kynren is infectious, as is her pride and the beaming smile on her face.
She said: ‘It feels amazing to win - I didn’t expect it at all, but it is fantastic. It is a celebration of all we do at Kynren.
"There was some stiff competition, there were some really good entries. I’m just really pleased to have won."
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Durham County Council leader and North East Combined Authority Cabinet member for culture, creative, tourism and sport said: "Durham’s tourism industry is incredibly important, and it is the work of people like Wendy that make Durham the amazing destination it is today."
The other competition finalists were James Kidwell, park marshall at Diggerland, Jonathan Raper of Teesdale Cheese, Stephen Houghton, head gardener at South Causey Inn and Andrew Ross, tour guide and Ghost Whisper at Walking with The Ghosts of Durham.
Duncan Peake, Interim Chair of Visit County Durham Ltd, added: “It is fantastic to see such a high calibre group of finalists being nominated as Durham Tourism Superstar 2024.
"All five of the finalists play a key role within their organisations which are so important to the growth of the tourism sector in County Durham. Wendy is such a worthy winner - her dedication to Kynren has enhanced the production for volunteers and audiences alike.
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"Durham Tourism Superstar is all about celebrating the shining stars in our sector and Wendy certainly shines brightly.
"I would also like to congratulate the other finalists and nominees. We now wish Wendy well as our nominee for VisitEngland’s national tourism superstar.”
Wendy will now be County Durham’s representative, as she competes in the VisitEngland and Mirror Travel National Tourism Superstar.
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