Peter Wood - CATS WINNER

Volunteer at the Anson Engine Museum Receives Prestigious Award

Peter Wood received a massive accolade at the Cheshire Awards for Tourism Skills at a Swinging Sixties themed evening at Tatton Park on Thursday 22nd  November. He was awarded the “Most Valuable Volunteer” prize for his work at the Anson Engine Museum in Poynton.

The event is now in its 7th year.  Emma Clarke, Head of business development at Visit Chester and Cheshire, said “these awards highlight the quality of service and commitment made by those who work at the sharp end of the industry and it is important to recognize this.” She went on to say “The purpose of tonight’s event is to celebrate the fantastic achievements, exceptional commitment and dedication demonstrated by employees and volunteers in the Visitor Economy across Cheshire”.

At a glittering award ceremony to Celebrate the Achievements of Talented Staff (CATS), a packed room of over 500 managers, professionals and employees from the North West’s Tourism Industry, were spellbound listening as the shortlist and then winners for each category were read out.

 The evening was presented by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, Simon's television career includes Granada Breeze, Livetime, Battle of the Chefs, This Morning, Granada Tonight, A Taste for Travel, Lunchtime Live and The Afternoon Show.

Whilst reading out Peter’s nomination Chairman of Cheshire County Council Neville Price said,
“he manages to bring a warm humour and enthusiasm to everything he does. Peter also has the ability to make all visitors feel welcome, always with a pleasant disposition and never too busy to spend time to talk.”

Peter Wood first became involved with the Museum while he was the Training Manager at the nearby Mirrlees engine company.  He came to know Les Cawley and Geoff Challinor (the museum’s founders) through bringing customers to the Museum and then helping to recover the old “Mirrlees” engine from the Manchester Ship Canal. He then helped on an occasional basis with the second phase of the building work and, after retiring almost three years ago, started to spend more time at the Museum.  He helps with anything from restoring engines to cleaning gutters, from erecting new buildings to showing visitors around and then recently agreeing to be the co-coordinator for the band of volunteers at the Museum.

He has been a member of The Scout Association since joining 3rd Hazel Grove as a scout when he was eleven years old and after periods as Venture Scout Leader and Group Scout Leader is now its President. This experience has developed his love of the outdoors and introduced him to many new skills, including working with people, camp craft, walking, sailing, building scout huts etc. Another interest fostered during his years as a scout was long distance walking and he still enjoys helping to organise one of the country’s premier long distance events, “The Bullock Smithy Hike”. It is an annual fund raising event for the 3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group that was started 1976.

Geoff Challinor, Chairman of the Museum said “It was with great pleasure that I supported the nomination of Peter Wood as Most Valuable Volunteer.   It is a description that barely describes the status he has unknowingly achieved with his work for the Anson Engine Museum.  All in all Peter has been a massive boost to us. His commitment to his work and the future of the museum cannot be faulted.  I am delighted he is one of our volunteers and wholeheartedly supported his nomination.  I am glad the judges agreed.”

After winning Peter said “I am absolutely thrilled.  It is with tremendous pride I pick up this award ….. and  I know it will be great publicity for the museum and Macclesfield borough too.”