On Thursday evening 17^th October we attended the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism awards which were held at the Hafren Theatre in Newtown. This Black-Tie event was opened with a welcoming speech offered by Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas who is presently Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism for Wales.

There were thirteen awards in all, the first being a life-time achievement presentation to Pam Powell M.B.E. Pam started to promote Wales by touring Europe selling welsh cakes and the like from an Ivor Williams Trailer many decades ago and who, at 90 plus years of age continues to involve herself in the family business.

The twelve other categories were; Best Activities, Best Event, Best B&B/Guest House, Best place to eat and drink, Best Holiday Park/Camping and Touring, Best Group Accommodation, Best Third Sector Organisation, Best Visitor Attraction, Tourism Innovation Award, Best Self Catering, Best Glamping, the final award being Best Young Tourism Person of the year which was won by Amy Clark of the Nags Head in Garthmyl.

Islawrffordd was one of three considered for the Best Holiday Park/Camping prize which was won by Forest Fields who offered a history of David Bellamy Awards and environmental involvement within their business. We congratulate them, and other winners on their success, some of whom will go forward to National Awards in 2020.

Whilst coming close, we have noted our shortcomings with regard to what is required in terms of environmental issues which we will attempt to address over the next two years in readiness for the next Mid Wales Tourism Award applications in 2021.

The presentations were spread out between the three courses of an excellent dinner provided by the students of the N.P.T.C. group of colleges who received a standing ovation from the 200 plus attendance.