DROITWICH scored big at the Worcesteshire Tourism Awards for Excellence with the town’s Food and Drink Festival and Churchfields Ice Cream both picking up accolades.
The pair found out at a prestigious ceremony at Malvern Theatres which was hosted by Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis.
The Droitwich Spa Food and Drink Festival won the Best Festival and Events (Community) sponsored by JNIT Consultancy Ltd, fighting off competition from the Worcester Music Festival and the Broadway Arts Festival.
And Churchfields Ice Cream, which has recently opened Droitwich’s Saltworks, scooped Best Food Producer, an accolade sponsored by mfg Solicitors.
Patrick Davis, the Food and Drink Festival organiser said: “My first thought was that I was very pleased for Droitwich because so many times we are the bridesmaid and this time we were the bride.
“There are such a lot of good events across Worcestershire so the competition was very tough.
“The other two events we were up against went on for two weeks each so I was chuffed that we won with our day-long festival.”
Will Kerton, from Churchfields Farm Ice Cream, said he was delighted to win Best Food Producer.
“Churchfields Farm has worked very hard this year producing hand crafted, artisan ice cream and salted butter, and we are pleased to be recognised for our achievement.”
Speaking at the event John Challis said it was a great honour to host the awards.
“It has been a terrific afternoon here at the Malvern Theatres, and it was brilliant to see so many people there who have done so much to help tourism here in both the counties.”
Attendees also heard from Cassie Bray, Director of Business Engagement at the Chamber, and overall sponsors Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Pear Communications.
Visit www.visitworcestershire.co.uk/awards for a full list of finalists and the entrants which achieved Highly Commended and Commended titles.
