AMBASSADORS for promoting tourism in Oswestry were celebrated at a special awards ceremony on Monday evening.

Recipients of gold, silver and bronze awards for the Oswestry Tourism Ambassador Scheme were met by Veronica Lillis, deputy lieutenant of Shropshire, to receive their badges and certificates at the Wynnstay Hotel in Church Street.

Oswestry Borderland Tourism (OBT) chairman Lee Lucks and vice-chairman Graham Mitchell – known as Grum – said the confirmation of around 50 new ambassadors showed the level of love people had for the town.

Border Counties Advertizer: Cllr Jay Moore and Veronica Lillis. Cllr Jay Moore and Veronica Lillis. (Image: Graham Mitchell.)

Ms Lucks said: “We are a not-for-profit company, and we do it because we have an active board of seven members and they give their time to do it.

“Our staff are dependable and love Oswestry as much as we do.

“Our focus has changed; from January 2020, our social media followers have grown by 310 per cent and our website by 84 per cent.

“We’ve done huge amounts of work and this year for the first time, we’re going to the British travel and tourism show, aiming to bring in more day trips.

“We’ve got a real mix of attractions and places to stay, and want to keep doing what we’re doing.

Border Counties Advertizer: Tom Sanderson with Veronica Lillis. Tom Sanderson with Veronica Lillis. (Image: Graham Mitchell.)

“We created the ambassador scheme – we got funding for it and we’re the first in England to do it.

“We have a fab image library, and thanks to Grum, we have extraordinary images which we can send out.

“We can send it nationally, so we are getting out there.

“Oswestry is the centre of the world and it is my life's work to get people to recognise it."

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Mr Mitchell added: “I had a blind date at the Sun Inn in 1995 and met a lady, fell in love with her and Oswestry and we’re about to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. 

“We want visitors to come here and spend their money, and enjoy what we enjoy.

“It’s been said to me that we’re not a tourist town and I couldn’t disagree more. 

“We’re not the Cotswolds with chocolate box cottages but we have a unique town. You can go for an hour in all directions and there’s something to see. 

Mr Mitchell added that more young people are being sought for the scheme to help instil love and pride in their town.

Border Counties Advertizer: Helen Roberts with Veronica Lillis. Helen Roberts with Veronica Lillis. (Image: Graham Mitchell.)

Mrs Lillis, who was representing Anna Turner, Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, added: “I’ve lived in Whittington for 28 years and grew up close to the border and know what it means for the work you’re doing.

“I think you’re doing a great job in representing the borderlands and I think you’re all working so very hard.”

Border Counties Advertizer: Ann tomley, Karen Pringle and Ruth Sperring with Veronica Lillis. Ann tomley, Karen Pringle and Ruth Sperring with Veronica Lillis. (Image: Graham Mitchell.)

Recipients collecting on the night included town mayor Councillor Jay Moore, Chris Toller, Helen Roberts, Steve Drake, and OBT staff Ann Tomley, Karen Pringle and Ruth Sperring, while Cambrian Heritage Railway volunteers Tom Sanderson, Jenny Pickstock and Dave Roll also picked up awards.

For further information on the Oswestry Tourism Ambassador Scheme, please visit https://www.visitoswestry.co.uk/oswestry-ambassador/

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