HUNT IS ON TO FIND THE BOMBARDIER CHAMPION OF ENGLAND
The hunt is on to find the unsung hero of England – a Champion of this great nation – and nominations for the prestigious ‘Bombardier Champion of England 2009’ title are now open.
Drink of England, Wells Bombardier, in association with English Heritage, is undertaking a nationwide search to find the Champion of England – an unsung hero who safeguards those things that make England great.
The winner will be presented the title at a gala lunch on St George’s Day, by another Champion of our time – Sir Geoff Hurst, who was not only part of the 1966 England World Cup-winning team but also the only player ever to score a hat-trick in the final.
Does someone you know deserve recognition? Perhaps it is someone that has campaigned to save their town’s traditional red telephone box, or perhaps led a campaign against developers from building on England’s green and pleasant land. What about the person that has organised your village fete for years, or who has fought to save a local cricket team?
For example, for the last fifty years, Neville Oldham has volunteered thousands of hours to English Heritage's maritime archaeology team to enthuse others with maritime archaeology and his stories of the underwater world. Throughout his career, Neville has helped locate shipwreck sites including the Erme Estuary Cannon site from 1632.
Or for maintaining the great English tradition of the garden shed, how about Andrew ‘Uncle Wilco’ Wilcox who runs an annual award to find the best shed?
From the wildly eccentric to the weird and wonderful, England’s people have a richness that no other country can claim. What other country can claim to host contests such as stinging nettle eating competition, cheese rolling contests or even hundreds of people running into the freezing seas on Boxing Day for fun?
The English are known for their stiff upper lip, their love for queuing and we love to talk about the weather. But this is a chance for people who have shown determination to keep the spirit of England alive, to gain recognition.
Brewery chairman, Paul Wells, says: "We have campaigned to celebrate St George’s Day for fifteen years, and what better way to do this than to find those people who show passion and enthusiasm for England? Bombardier represents everything that is positive about England, and we want to be able to honour those people that do just that."
Nominations for the Champion of England can be made at www.championofengland.co.uk where you can upload photos and descriptions of your nominee.
