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News - Essex Tourism Awards
Royal Gunpowder Mills in Essex Tourism Awards 2009

Len Start, Royal Gunpowder Mills – Highly Commended for Outstanding Customer Service

Len Start, Royal Gunpowder Mills
Highly Commended for Outstanding Customer Services

After five years as a volunteer at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Len Stuart received a Highly Commended Certificate for Outstanding Customer Service at the first Essex Tourism Awards presentation dinner at the Cliffs Pavilion at Southend-on-Sea on 10 September. The Royal Gunpowder Mills and the Waltham Abbey Town Partnership were also proud to receive Finalist Certificates in the Best Small Essex Attraction and the Best Tourism Experience categories in recognition of their contribution to tourism in the County. The awards sponsored by Essex County Council, highlight the best of Essex Tourism and aim to raise the profile of the industry.

(Len's Award was featured in the Guardian, Monday 14th September 2009:

www.guardian-series.co.uk)

Len Stuart’s interest in the Waltham Abbey site stems from when he left school after studying A levels and started work, fifty years ago this week, as an Assistant Experimental Officer at the then Explosives Research & Development Establishment (ERDE). In the year he worked in Waltham Abbey before finding permanent employment within the scientific Civil Service at Teddington, the test work he carried out included experiments on propellants used for the Skylark ‘Raven’ and Gosling rocket motors. Little did he realise that just as he was retiring and returning to Waltham Abbey in 2005, the Skylark Rocket Engine was launched for the final time in Sweden. It had gone into space carrying out measurements and performing scientific experiments more than 400 times in its 50 year life.

With his knowledge and fascination of rocket science, Len has helped to develop, with other volunteers, the current collection of rocket artefacts on show on-site today and regularly talks to the public; time and time again receiving thanks and praise from the visitors for his friendly approach and for making their visit so interesting.

Len Stuart and staff from Royal Gunpowder Mills (Michelle Moore, Cathy Morton Lloyd and David Kenyon) – Finalist for Best Small Essex Attraction

Len Stuart and staff from Royal Gunpowder Mills
(Michelle Moore, Cathy Morton Lloyd and David Kenyon)
Finalist for Best Small Essex Attraction

Only the employees and those on official business came onto the Royal Gunpowder Mills site during its 300 year history. This tourism award gives credit to the hard work, passion and enthusiasm to the small team of staff and volunteers and the many people who to date have contributed to the opening and development of this industrial heritage site, to reveal its secret past to the public. As well as looking after the 170 acre site for future generations, the Company, a registered charity, is committed to constantly improving the quality of the experience and the opportunities for the site to be enjoyed by all.

Norma Green, Chair Waltham Abbey Town Partnership – Finalist Best Visitor Experience

Norma Green, Chair Waltham Abbey Town Partnership
Finalist Best Visitor Experience

The Royal Gunpowder Mills is also a member of the Waltham Abbey Town Partnership which champions Waltham Abbey as a destination with a multitude of opportunities for a great day out. Working with local businesses, the community and tourism providers helps to maximise the benefits of the local area and raise the profile within Essex and further afield. These awards have provided another opportunity to showcase what Waltham Abbey has to offer - with the Abbey Church, the county parks managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Epping Forest District Museum, Copped Hall, Royal Gunpowder Mills, Town Mead Leisure Park, the services of a Tourist Information Centre, three hotels etc and so much more!

1. Full details of the Essex Tourism Awards: www.visitessex.com/Essex_Tourism_Awards.aspx

2. Article in the Guardian, Monday 14th September 2009: www.guardian-series.co.uk

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News - Essex Tourism Awards Royal Gunpowder Mills in Essex Tourism Awards 2009

News - Essex Tourism Awards
Royal Gunpowder Mills in Essex Tourism Awards 2009