“Unbelievable” Guests Lined Up for Welcome to Yorkshire’s Online White Rose Awards
Chris Kamara was such a big hit performing at last year’s Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards at the First Direct Arena Leeds, that he’s returning for 2020 … online on Monday 23rd November at 7pm. Special celebrity guests will also be joining the celebrations via the wonders of technology, to raise a glass to the worthy winners at what is usually the biggest tourism awards ceremony in the UK. With massive prizes to be won it’s the must-go-to exciting event for all to be part of - #WRA2020 - So don’t miss it! It’s going to be the (gin and) tonic we all need right now.
A whole host of tourism representatives will be part of the ‘Big Night In’, all dressed up in their glad rags, hoping to receive a coveted White Rose Award. There are 17 hotly contested categories and bronze, silver and gold will be awarded in each throughout the evening.
The glittering cyber-ceremony, sponsored by York City Knights, will be a sensational sparkling celebration of all things tourism and anyone can join in by registering here www.yorkshire.com/wralive
The UK’s biggest tourism awards ceremony usually sees a thousand people celebrating the very best of the county’s tourism industry at a top Yorkshire venue. This year, to make sure all guests and finalists can enjoy the event, regardless of the COVID-19 restrictions in place, Welcome to Yorkshire are holding the White Rose Awards online.
There’ll be comedy (intentional) and footballing legend and TV personality, Chris Kamara, will be joining in the fun with a performance from his brand new album ‘And A Happy New Year’ (let’s hope it is). The former Sheffield United, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Bradford City player will be celebrating all things Yorkshire alongside a roll call of very special celebrities from the world of screen and sport, who will help honour the very best in the county’s tourism and hospitality sector during what has been a particularly tough year for all.
The fantastic Natalie Anderson and Rich Williams will return as Welcome to Yorkshire’s wonderful White Rose Awards hosts for the evening, but socially distanced on this occasion. Both Yorkshire-born and bred presenters are thrilled to be hosting The White Rose Awards for a second time. Natalie Anderson is a proud Yorkshire woman, actress, presenter and an established lifestyle influencer with her online platform and brand The Capsule. She is best known for her prolific roles on ITV dramas Emmerdale and The Royal, plus guest presenting ITV’s This Morning, as well as appearing in musical theatre productions Wicked and Kay Mellors' Fat Friends - The Musical. Broadcaster Rich Williams is passionate about Yorkshire, presents on Virgin Radio and can be seen on LUTV, the official TV channel of Leeds United.
White Rose Awards’ Chair of Judges Elaine Lemm said: “Yorkshire has voted with its feet, when other areas chose not to have their award ceremonies, BUT in true Yorkshire fashion we are going ahead, which really reflects the grit of the tourism and hospitality sector here in the county during such difficult times. We may not be able to celebrate together in the usual way but celebrate we will, recognising and honouring the 2020 finalists and winners and the incredible work they all do in making Yorkshire amazing.”
2020 hasn’t been the year any of us expected, but we are completely committed to celebrating the vast tourism talent we have here in Yorkshire. This year’s awards relate to the 12-months between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020 which wasn’t affected by COVID-19. Since then however we know it’s been incredibly challenging for all our members but I’ve been blown away by the creativity and enthusiasm which has emerged with online events, shops and deliveries, virtual tours and performances. Monday night will be an opportunity to get together as #YorkshireTogether to shout about tourism and showcase Yorkshire as THE place to Visit, Live, Work and Study.”
WHITE ROSE AWARDS 2020 FINALISTS
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Cottage in the Dales
JORVIK Viking Centre
Leeds Playhouse
Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park at Rother Valley Country Park
Arts & Culture Award
Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Harewood House Trust
Huddersfield Literature Festival
Hull Libraries (The Big Malarkey Festival)
Kala Sangam
Selby 950
The Stephen Joseph Theatre
Yorkshire Sculpture International
B&B and Guest House of the Year
Brickfields Farm
Cawthorne House
Orchard Lodge
Business Events Venue of the Year
Mercure Barnsley Tankersley Manor
Mercure Sheffield Parkway
The Grand, York
Lakeside Conference Centre (part of York Biotech Campus)
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Brompton Lakes
Catgill Farm - Camping and Luxury Glamping
Cote Ghyll Holiday Park, Cottage and Mill
High Oaks Grange
Peaks and Pods
The Private Hill
Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park at Rother Valley Country Park
Wigwam® Holidays Sedgewell Barn
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Bert's Barrow
National Centre for Birds of Prey
Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens
The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa
Experience of the Year
Hotham's Gin School and Distillery
Leeds Cookery School
The Bloody Tour of York
The Cookery School at The Grand, York
Wensleydale Railway
YORTOURS
Large Hotel of the Year
Grantley Hall
The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa
The Grand, York
The White Hart Hotel, Harrogate
The Yorkshire Hotel
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Cannon Hall Farm
Castle Howard
Harewood House Trust
JORVIK Viking Centre
Wensleydale Creamery
York Maze
New Tourism Business Award
Galtres Lodge Hotel & Forest Restaurant
Grantley Hall
The Bay Horse Inn – Goldsborough
High Oaks Grange
The Private Hill
Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park at Rother Valley Country Park
Producers and Makers Award
Bullion
Bert's Barrow
Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers Ltd
Masons Yorkshire Gin
Rounton Coffee Roasters
The Candied Peel Cake Co
Pub of the Year
The Black Bull, Moulton
The Carpenter's Arms
The Clarendon Country pub with rooms
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
The Millers Bar
Self-catering Accommodation of the Year
Broadgate Farm Cottages
Cottage in the Dales
Grand Get-Togethers
High Oaks Grange
Higher Scholes Cottage Holidays
Holly House Farm
Small Hotel of the Year
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa
Galtres Lodge Hotel
Goldsborough Hall
Grays Court Hotel
The Devonshire Fell
The Traddock
The Wensleydale Heifer
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Bolton Castle
Bradford Cathedral
Ingleborough Cave & Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail
Mother Shipton's
Skipton Boat Trips
Studfold Adventure Trail
World of James Herriot
Taste of England – Casual Dining Award
Devour at the Dyehouse
Drewtons Farm Shop and Restaurant
Forest Restaurant at Galtres lodge
Quayside
The Rattle Owl
Wensleydale Creamery
Tourism Event Award
Banana Kick & LeedsBid – Leeds Jurassic Trail
Bronte Bars & Events - The Gin Express Experience on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Hallowscream at York Maze
Rhubarb Festival
York Balloon Fiesta
Have a safe and happy Christmas - Police advice
Winter home safety
Skipton Business Awards celebrate the best in town
New Exhibition to Explore Power Dynamics in Art Photography