STAFF at West Midlands Safari Park are celebrating after winning four accolades at the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards, writes Chinaza Eke.
The Bewdley attraction won ‘Business Events Venue of the Year’ for its ‘Safari Venues’, ‘Experience of the Year’ for the Wild Keeper Retreat Package at Safari Lodges and the park’s head of wildlife, Angela Potter, won the coveted ‘Worcestershire’s Unsung Hero Award’.
West Midlands Safari Park also won a ‘Highly Commended’ for the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’, recognising the venue’s dedication to making the attraction welcome to all.
The awards were held at the Three Counties Showground last Friday, March 20.
Angela began her career at the park when she was 16 years old and, over 45 years later, she remains at the centre of the park’s work as head of wildlife, tending to animals and staff, leading conservation projects and helping protect endangered species.
She was described as ‘an individual who had devoted decades to her work, becoming a respected and influential figure in the tourism sector’, highlighting her career built on compassion, leadership and a deep commitment to education and visitor experience.
They also praised Angela’s ‘remarkable blend of wisdom, humility and unwavering dedication’ and highlighted her ‘calm, steady presence, with an instinct for putting others first which led her to become a guiding figure who quietly transformed the experiences of colleagues and visitors alike’.
Angela said she was amazed to be chosen and thanked the Visit Worcestershire judges for selecting her as ‘all the nominees were so deserving’.
“I felt very emotional as it was such a special moment.
“West Midlands Safari Park is a very special place, full of the lovely people that I work with, all our guests who visit for the day or stay overnight in the lodges, and of course the wonderful animals – the reason we are all here.
“I don’t feel like an unsung hero – I am the lucky one to be able to be here every day.”
The park’s managing director Joanne Hammick said: “Winning four or more awards in one evening is a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of the passion and dedication across the entire team.”
“It is especially meaningful to be recognised within our local tourism community, motivating us even more to continue delivering exceptional experiences for our guests while supporting conservation and education.”
This was the first time West Midlands Safari Park won ‘Experience of the Year’ and ‘Business Events Venue of the Year’.
