Unsung Heroes Award
Sponsored by
This category is presented every year to one or more individuals known for their hard-work, loyalty and devotion to duty.
In many cases, the ‘unsung heroes’ are the ones who keep the wheels turning against all the odds; no transport operator can do without such people – even though they often slave away for years with no recognition save their own satisfaction in a service delivered and a job well done. In other cases, the heroes are people who help the wider industry through their work for supporting companies and organisations.
In 2011 we presented trophies and certificates to three winners:
Shahid Ullah, First Rail Support
Shahid (known to the industry as Sheddy) is First Rail Support's Operations Control Manager. His Control Department, which is runs 24/7, is responsible for operationally managing over 1,100 weekly pre-planned coach movements on behalf of the railways as well as mobilising and managing numerous emergency coach requirements for train operators and also a number of airlines when their flights are diverted. Sheddy's dedication, commitment, tenacity and hard work deserve commending.
The judges noted that nothing fazes him, he is a particularly calm individual who quietly leads his team at times of extreme pressure to deliver and fulfil customers expectations, for example having to arrange several hundred coaches at the drop of a hat to cover a 3-day rail strike in Scotland. During the bad weather this winter he supported his staff by working long hours, often into the early hours of the following morning, to ensure that vehicles were available to help move passengers stranded as a result of the treacherous conditions experienced.
David Roberts, Oswaldtwistle Mills
David has worked hard over the years to promote Oswaldtwistle Mills: between 2002 and 2005, he doubled the number of coaches visiting the mills from 800 to over 1,500. He then worked as a consultant to 'Ossy Mills', but he was persuaded to return on a full-time basis early in 2009 since when he has been Coaching Development Manager.
Thanks to David, Ossy Mills have featured every year in our Awards, as well as several others, and his efforts have resulted in huge growth in the number of coach parties visiting. David ensures that every party is personally greeted by a member of staff, and every visitor is provided with gratuity vouchers to use in store.
To cater for the additional coach trade he has overseen the opening of a new visitor and tourism office which will also help promote other Lancashire based attractions. David works ceaselessly to promote the attraction and, to quote him,“The weather doesn’t affect us which is very appealing to shoppers and coach party organisers... with so much to offer it’s the perfect year-round destination, and it’s particularly attractive given current economic conditions.”
[Image to follow shortly]
Mary Sewell, Medway Council
Medway's Senior Tourism Officer Mary Sewell has worked for Medway Council, and its predecessor the City of Rochester Council, for thirty-one years. She’s always to be seen at virtually every travel show promoting Rochester and Chatham and their surrounding attractions and has played a key role in the development of Medway Visitor Centre and award-winning coach drop-off and parking facilities. Through her attendance at overseas exhibitions and contacts in the coach industry, Mary has also increased the number of German coaches visiting Medway from a handful to in excess of 100 each year, and still growing.
Mary and her small team at Medway have a long standing and highly regarded reputation within the coaching industry for being exceptionally coach friendly and have deservedly won many awards for their endeavours. Mary's endeavours are recognised and appreciated by the coaching industry both nationally and abroad and her achievements are a great example of what can be achieved, when both the economic and environmental benefits of coach tourism are fully embraced. Wherever you go, Mary's name is synonymous with Medway and its coach-friendliness hence it is now often said “We could do with a clone of Mary Sewell"!
Who could be nominated?
Any person working for a coach operator continuously for the last 12 months, who can show service in a management and/or supervisory role of more than five years.
… and by whom?
Readers of Coach and Bus Week magazine were asked to nominate people within their own organisation or with another operator who, in their view, qualified for this recognition.