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Primary Times Reader Star Award Winners Norfolk
The 2017 results...
THIS year there have been record levels of you, our Primary Times readers, voting in the Primary Times Reader Star Awards, for your favourite local family friendly places and people in Dorset.
The results from all the completed surveys, that appeared in the Back to School issue of the magazine and on the Primary Times website, exhibit an honest reflection of where you prefer to spend your free time, providing a useful glimpse into what’s universally popular with local families.
Now, it’s time to reveal the names of the lucky winners!
This year, the prestigious family attraction category has been awarded to BeWILDerwood. BeWILDerwood continues to reign supreme in this category, partly due to its ability to innovate and introduce new events, appealing to the needs of the discerning visitor. Readers are impressed with the wide range of facilities, variety of children’s activities and overall appearance of this enormously popular attraction.
Primary Times’ readers appear to enjoy dining out and it was interesting to read the broad spectrum of answers to the family friendly eating place category. The delicious food and friendly service helped Castle Carvery secure the winning place with Zaks Diners as a close second.
The all-weather facilities at BeWILDerwood ensured that this Hoveton located attraction scored the most votes in the Outdoor Play category. As for Indoor Play, the massive adventure play zone at Monsters Ltd in Diss enabled it to scoop the highest number of nominations.
The Sports Venue category was awarded to UEA Sportspark who acquired the most votes, with The Drill Hall in Great Yarmouth coming up as a close second.
The amazing party packages offered at James D’s Party Time in Norwich enabled it to reach the top spot in the children’s party venue category, and the interesting artefacts, interactive exhibits, historical stories and various family events contributed to Blickling Estate gaining the most votes in the Museum and Historical Attraction group.
BeWILDerwood was chosen as the Primary Times Reader Star Award Overall Winner in Norfolk. This is a great result for this all-weather family attraction, reflecting its ability to adapt to the needs of local families.
Linda Edwards, Publishing Editor at Primary Times said:
“We are thrilled with the extraordinary response to this year’s Reader Star Award survey and we’d like to say a massive thank you to all the readers who took part. The results are sure to help other local families decide what to do and where to go. Each individual category winner deserves worthy recognition as they are clearly offering something that our readers want. We’d also like to congratulate BeWILDerwood on being such a big hit with our readers once again. BeWILDerwood’s ability to resonate with its customers and innovate accordingly is extremely impressive. It truly sets a high bench mark as a leading family friendly attraction in the region.”
Overall Winner
Winner: BeWILDerwood
“The Twiggles at Bewilderwood are sooooo excited to have been chosen as the Primary Times Overall Winner in Norfolk once again! We always aim to create an enchanting day for our lovely visitors and so are thrilled that they enjoy it as much as we do. Thank you to everyone who voted! We are looking forward to a Twiggle-tastic 2018 with more storytelling, face painting, special events, and lots of adventures in the treetops!”
Runner Up: James D's Party Time, Norwich
Other BeWILDerwood wins...
Family Attraction
Winner: BeWILDerwood
Runner Up: Dinosaur Adventure
Outdoor Play/ Activity Centre
Winner: BeWILDerwood
Runner Up: High Lodge, Thetford Forest
Family Friendly Place to Eat
Winner: Castle Carvery
“We’re thrilled to have won the Favourite Family Friendly Place to Eat Reader Star Award. Thank to you all of the Primary Times Readers who voted for us”
Runner Up: Zaks Diners
Best Event of 2017
Winner: Out There Festival.jpg)
“We’re really delighted that the Out There Festival has been voted best event. It’s always been a terrific family-friendly festival, but we’ve been working on a number of developments for younger audiences, so it’s really rewarding to be recognised in this way… a big thank you to all those who voted.”
Indoor Play/ Activity Centre
Winner: Monsters Ltd, Diss.JPG)
Monsters have achieved this award thanks to their lovely customers and the hard work of owners Kathy and Greg Last who’s passion, commitment and vision in creating a children’s play facility in Diss has made it the success it is today. They told Primary Times:
“Thank you to all our customers and everybody that voted for us this year. It really means so much to us and all our staff. We want to say a big thank you to Lee our Manager for all his hard work along with the hard work of all our lovely staff member who make Monsters the success it is.”
Runner Up: Dinosaur Adventure
Museum or Historical Attraction
Winner: Blickling Estate
“We’re delighted to win this award once again, so thank you to everyone that voted. Our trails and activities have proved very popular with our visitors this year, from dressing up activities and family tours in the house to walled garden planting sessions and new trails in the park. It’s wonderful to see families having fun together, enjoying everything that Blickling Estate has to offer.”
Runner Up: Norwich Castle
Party Venue or Entertainer.png)
Winner: James D's Party Time, Norwich
“What can we say apart from a massive thank you to everyone who has voted for us at James D’s Party Time. It means a massive amount to us that people love what we do as we love to do it. Thank you again.”
Runner Up: Simply Perfect Princess Parties
Sports Venue or Provider
Winner: UEA Sportspark
"We are delighted and pleased to have won the Readers’ Award for the Favourite Sports Venue or Provider - we try to be available ‘all day, everyday for the community’ and to be recognised and voted for this by the Primary Times Readers is very important to us".
Runner Up: The Drill Hall, Great Yarmouth