The shortlist for the What’s On Where Awards – our celebration of leisure and entertainment in Northumberland – has been announced.
The awards, held in association with the Johnston North East Press weekly entertainments guide, Wow 24/7, aim to celebrate and reward the best facilities throughout Northumberland.
The awards ceremony takes place at Newton Hall, Newton-by-the-Sea, on Thursday night.
Simon Roberson, BT’s North East regional partnership director, said: “BT is proud to sponsor the Northumberland What’s On Where Awards 2015.
“And as a Northumberland resident, I am pleased and proud to support this fantastic event for the second time as it recognises and showcases the hard work, achievements and diversity of Northumberland businesses.
“BT is responsible for helping communities across Northumberland use the power of communications and technology to help them to thrive and prosper.
“Our £2.5billion UK-wide, commercial investment in fibre broadband and our partnership with Northumberland County Council in the iNorthumberland programme has brought the high-speed technology to more than 135,000 homes and businesses across the county and there are plans to go much further.
“Super-fast fibre broadband offers huge benefits and is helping our local economy to flourish. “Better, faster communications are helping local restaurants, cafes and visitor attractions use social media more effectively and offer free wifi to visiting customers.
“Local food producers, hotels and events can potentially access a global audience attracting customers or visitors from the length and breadth of the country and beyond.
“Awards such as this one are vital and an opportunity to celebrate all the the talent, potential and creativity that the county has to offer.
“I am looking forward to presenting the Taste of Northumberland Award on the night and wish all those shortlisted in every category the best of luck.”
The full shortlist
Bed and Breakfast/Guesthouse of the Year: The Grange, Blagdon; Greycroft Guest House, Alnwick; Tosson Towers, Rothbury.
Event of the Year: Amble Puffin Festival; Kielder Winter Wonderland; Mighty Dubfest, Druridge Bay; Miners Picnic, Ashington.
Hotel of the Year: Langley Castle, Hexham; The Plough Inn, Alnwick; The Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses; Matfen Hall.
Taste of Northumberland Award: Northumberland Cheese Company, Blagdon; Vallum Dairy, Corbridge; Doddington Dairy.
Self-Catering/Holiday Park of the Year: Felmoor Park, Felton; Middleton Hall, Belford; Housesteads Cottage, Hexham.
Recreation/Children’s Venue of the Year: Kirkley Hall, Ponteland; Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth; Woodhorn Museum, Ashington.
Visitor Attraction of the Year: Roman Vindolanda, Hexham; Bamburgh Castle; The Granary Gallery, Berwick; Kielder Observatory.
Pub of the Year: The Northumberland Arms, Felton; The Jolly Fisherman, Craster; The Percy Arms, Chatton.
WOW Weddings Award: Horton Grange, Ponteland; Victoria Paterson, Matfen Hall; Scott Spock Photography, Newton-by-the-Sea.
Park/Community Area of the Year: Slaley Hall Forest School, Hexham; Northumberlandia, Cramlington; Ridley Park, Blyth.