COVENTRY Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
I Wanna Be Elected
So the news can be revealed, I’m honoured to be down to the last ten out of thousands of contenders in the ‘Tourism Superstar’ for my work at the museum for the last ten years.
Ran by Visit Britain, Tourism Superstar recognises the people who go above and beyond to make visitor experiences in England so special. Whether creating a memorable stay in a seaside hotel, adding a touch of showbiz to a tour or an attraction, or making sure everyone’s needs are catered for, these individuals and teams truly go the extra mile.
As most of you know, the museum is my dream, I’m proud to have created it with all our great volunteers and team we have brought thousands of visitors to the Stoke/Ball Hill area of the city, from others parts of the city, from the nation and indeed the world.
I’m proud that, during our ten years, we have been number one in ‘Things to Do in Coventry’ on the tourism app TripAdvisor, top stars and performers, schools, Universities and colleges, and celebrities have visited us.
Plus our educational Q&Rs we call ‘Sounding Off’ continues as a successful concept.
We are proud to be part of the 2-Tone Village and to have Neville Staple, Hazel O’Connor, Pete Waterman and Frank Ifield as our honorary patrons.
On a personal note being the director curator of the museum has helped me be honoured with a BEM from The Queen and an Honorary Degree from Coventry University as well as ‘Citizen of the Month’ from the council.
Not bad for a Cov Kid from a comprehensive school who left with just a couple of O Levels to his name.
Just as the voting is about to open, news has come through that The Coventry Music Museum is voted the Best Hidden Gem with Coventry coming out on top with the most hidden gem attractions in the UK, ahead of capitals Belfast and Edinburgh.
I would be honoured if you vote for me here. It is of course free and only takes a few minutes.
Visit: visitenglandawards.secure-platform.com/tourismsuperstar/ and click ‘Vote for your favourite 2024 Tourism Superstar’ to vote.
I’m the only Coventry contender, so my friends a vote for myself is a vote for Coventry, Coventry culture, Coventry music and is helping to highlight 2-Tone ska and reggae music too as well as all the amazing volunteers at the music museum who give their time for free, and all are wonderful visitors, so it’s a broad field.
Thanks to Laura MacDonald, Destination Coventry/Coventry and Warwickshire Destination Partnership.
The winner will be announced during English Tourism Week which will take place between March 15 and 24.
