Staff and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway have a lot to smile about right now, as the leading heritage line has been selected as a finalist in three separate categories for the 2024/2025 Visit Worcestershire Awards. The railway is in the running to scoop the Large Visitor Attraction, Business Event Venue of the Year and the Unsung Hero awards.
The regional tourism awards celebrate excellence in the industry, and this year Visit Worcestershire has received more applications than ever before.
‘The competition is very tough,’ said Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director. ‘We’re absolutely delighted to have made it to the finals in three very different categories.
‘We pride ourselves in putting our visitors front and centre, whilst also keeping focus on the history, passion and commitment that have made us “the leading standard-gauge steam railway”, according to VisitEngland.
‘We’re constantly listening to visitor feedback and making improvements. This is borne out by 150 five star visitor reviews on TripAdvisor in the last year, and the fact that we’ve held more than 50 bespoke corporate events in the past year, with excellent levels of satisfaction and repeat bookings.
‘I’m especially pleased that our young volunteer Charlie Delaney is now getting the recognition he deserves as a finalist in the Unsung Heroes category. At just 17 years old, Charlie volunteers across several roles, including trainee locomotive cleaner and trainee guard, and as a member of platform staff at our Kidderminster station. Plus, he’s done plenty of shifts as a Christmas elf! He’s nothing if not versatile, and Charlie embodies the dedicated spirit of all our volunteers.’
Charlie added, ‘I’ve always loved railways and the SVR in particular. Volunteering here is my chance to pay back the place that has given me and my whole family such pleasure over the years. I love being part of this relaxed and happy family of volunteers.’
Visit Worcestershire will announce the award winners at a special event planned for March 2025.