Worcester Whitehouse Hotel enjoys visit from Robin Walker MP

Did you know it is English Tourism Week? 'Coordinated by VisitEngland and taking place from 18-27 March, English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry and kick-starts the season. The week highlights tourism’s economic importance to local economies'.
The Worcester Whitehouse Hotel enjoyed a visit from Robin Walker MP to kick off the week of industry focus and were joined by other hoteliers and local peer members from the city.
"The tourism industry makes up a whopping 80% of the UK’s visitor economy! English tourism in 2019 generated over £100 billion a year and supported 2.6 million jobs and is a major employer of school leavers and young people, as well as an incubator for entrepreneurs and innovation." ~ VisitEngland
To put it in a county-wide perspective, "In 2021, just over 14 million people visited the county including 883,000 overnight stays. Visitors have contributed over £747 million pounds to the local economy giving destinations, attractions and the hospitality sector a much-welcomed boost after the struggles the industry’s businesses faced after the pandemic." ~ Visit Worcestershire
These stats go to show why the emphasis on tourism is so key to local industries and why the week of tourism focus is more important than some may release to the prosperity of local areas in the UK.
So what can we do to support? VisitEngland is encouraging people to show support for English tourism on social media by using #EnglishTourismWeek22. People can share photos and memories of favourite holidays in England on the Thursday during the week using #throwbackthursdays. And most simply... be a tourist in your own country!

by BID Team

Aspire - Contemporary art exhibition by artist Wayne Warren The Commandery, Worcester

 

Aspire arrives at The Commandery, Worcester on 1 April until 3 September 2023

8 works on the themes of aspiration, dreams and ambition placed at significant points

Free family workshops with artist Wayne Warren on Easter Monday 10 April

Butterflies and angels are taking over The Commandery in an exhibition filled with hope and aspiration. Aspire opens at The Commandery on Saturday 1 April and runs until Sunday 3 September 2023.

 

The artworks have been created by contemporary artist Wayne Warren in response to the beautiful Commandery building and it’s amazing one-thousand-year history. The artworks represent aspirations, dreams and ambitions.

 

Visitors can follow the trail of artworks around The Commandery, take a selfie in front of huge angel wings in the historic Great Hall and enjoy a programme of wing-inspired family activities over the Easter holidays, including a workshop with the artist himself on Monday 10 April.

 

Situated in the heart of Worcester, The Commandery has been a medieval monastic hospital, a Tudor home and a 1950s print works, but is most well-known for being the headquarters of the Royalist army during the Battle of Worcester in 1651 – the deciding battle of the English Civil War.

 

The artworks include Golden Wings, situated in the building’s beautiful Great Hall; and Growth, a new artwork commissioned especially for the exhibition at The Commandery, featuring gold leaf on oak leaves and acorns, situated upon a stool made of wood from the Boscobel Oak, purported to be the tree King Charles II hid in when fleeing from the Battle of Worcester.

 

Wayne Warren’s work has been exhibited at Worcester Cathedral and internationally in Hong Kong, Beijing, New York and Venice. Wayne says of his show at The Commandery: “My work reflects my thoughts and feelings about the 1,000 years of history contained within the fabulous building.”

 

Commandery Manager Rachel Robinson says: “It is fascinating to have The Commandery’s history interpreted in new ways and to shed light on its many layers of history. We hope visitors will enjoy finding the artworks around the building, taking their angel wing selfies, and having fun with the family activities.”

 

The Commandery is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 3pm. It is also open Bank Holiday Monday 10 April 10am – 5pm and there are workshops at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Normal admission applies, no extra fee for the exhibition. Small fee for the family activities. For more information, please visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk

by BID Team