Help to select the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar

The competition aims to find the district’s unsung hero who helps to make West Oxfordshire an unforgettable experience for visitors.

West Oxfordshire District Council, in partnership with VisitEngland and the Witney Gazette, launched the competition last month.

It is the first area in the country to replicate at a local level VisitEngland’s annual search for England’s Tourism Superstar.

Businesses were asked to nominate someone who is welcoming, friendly and passionate about their work in the district’s tourism industry and 10 people, working in a variety of roles, were put forward.

District councillor Richard Langridge, the council's cabinet member for local economy, communities and culture, said: “The Tourism Superstar award is a great way to recognise the people who make the success happen.

“They truly are superstars of our district and we want to recognise our champions.”

The choice of the winner is now down to a public vote online, which opens today. Votes can be cast until 5pm on Friday, May 24. Go to oxfordshirecotswolds.org/superstar

The 10 contenders nominated for the title of Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar 2013 are:

 Amanda Baker, Old Swan & Minster Mill:

As sales and marketing manager, she has total dedication to promoting tourism to this area, demonstrated through the tireless hours of work, the network of contacts she has created and being instrumental in helping the Old Swan & Minster Mill win the leisure, tourism & hospitality category of the West Oxfordshire Business Awards 2013.

 Stephen Baughan, Aston Pottery:

Stephen has endless enthusiasm for the pottery, gardens, buildings and home-made food at Aston Pottery and is always willing to share this with the visitors from home or abroad. He is always trying new and inventive ways to bring tourism trade to our corner of the Cotswolds, including open days and competitions.

 Lorna Dillon, Blenheim Palace:

Lorna has worked at Blenheim Palace since 2008 as a visitor service assistant. Recognised for her creative talents as a trained actress, she became the palace’s lively costumed entertainment, bringing history to life as ladies’ maid Dusty Chambers, pictured, and Mrs Collett the Head Gardener’s Wife on tours for visitors.

 Elizabeth Gooddy, Wheelgate House and Biztro, Bampton:

Biz is one of those people who know just how to make her guests feel special, whether it is in her bed & breakfast or her Biztro. She is approachable and friendly and is a great ambassador for the tourism industry as she works hard to make each visitor’s experience a memorable one.

 Graham Kew, Minster Lovell Experience:

Graham has a museum in his framing shop, which attracts visitors from all over the world, and works as a freelance tour guide. His walks around Minster Lovell, treasure hunts, ghost tours and medieval banquets have all raised the profile of the area. In addition, he has been a guide at Witney’s Wychwood Brewery for eight years.

 Richard Martin, Cotswold Woollen Weavers: Richard has spent 30 years bringing to life the story of how wool and limestone enabled the evolution of the West Oxfordshire landscape, combining this enthusiasm for explaining the area’s heritage with designing and weaving beautiful cloth.

 Carl Morgan, The Feathered Nest Inn, Nether Westcote:

Carl is charming, witty and an enthusiastic champion of hospitality. He is conscientious in his role as front of house manager, making sure that his bar and beer are in tip-top condition. He will always go that extra mile to make sure customers receive extra special service.

 Tony Simmons, Combe Mill:

Tony has been nominated for his continued enthusiasm over mnay years in encouraging interest in West Oxfordshire’s industrial heritage and overseeing the improvements to the mill buildings to help explain their historical role at the heart of the Blenheim Estate and making them more accessible to disabled people.

 Bill Spectre, Ghost Trails:

 Bill runs ghost trails in historic Burford and Oxford and always goes the extra mile to make visitors’ stays in the area special. He receives excellent reviews on TripAdvisor from his clients and, working in partnership with other tourism businesses, enhances the visitor experience with his product and services.

 Walter Stewart-Brown, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Heythrop:

Walter’s customer service skills are second to none, according to feedback from guests at the hotel. He is friendly and talkative with all clients and goes that extra mile to make their stay memorable. He has great local knowledge and regularly refers places of interest to guests to explore.