Falmouth wins national award for 2023 Tall Ships event
The prestigious event has scooped the UK and Ireland Best Event recognition
Falmouth has won a national industry award for its delivery on Tall Ships 2023.
The Falmouth Town Team has scooped the UK & Ireland Best Event recognition for its delivery of the event, which was previously postponed twice due to the pandemic, and were awarded by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).
Falmouth has hosted more tall ships events than any other UK port or destination – six times. Globally, only Lisbon has held it more times, with seven. Last year's event beat dozens of other towns, cities and destinations including Leeds, London, Manchester and Belfast.
CEO of the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM), Mr Ojay McDonald said:
"The work of the Falmouth Town Team consistently continues to hugely impress the ATCM and the judging panel. What impresses the most is the fact that the team’s resource and capacity is so modest and yet this in no way deters them from delivering incredible projects that are of national renown.
"We see initiatives and schemes from all over the UK and this year’s set of entries was the highest standard we have ever received, so for Falmouth to be recognised in this way really is exceptional. The town and its business community should be proud of the quality of management support it receives."
The ‘UK & Ireland Best Event’ is the fifth national award the Falmouth Town Team has won over the past five years. Previously, they secured the ‘Best Digital Project’ twice, for the rollout of the free public space Wi-Fi, which was a first for the region, and for the Virtual Sea Shanty Festival delivered during the pandemic, plus the two prestigious awards, the UK’s Best Partnership and UK Inspirational Leader of the Year for BID Executive Director, Richard Wilcox.
Councillor Alan Rowe, Town Mayor of Falmouth said:
"This is brilliant news, and I am so proud of the team. I know how hard they work and how committed many people are to make Falmouth an even more attractive place to live, work in or visit. Dozens of people gave up their time and expertise to support the team, while 250 or so volunteers engaged with us to enable the Tall Ships event to take place.
"Locals love Tall Ships and the fact that Falmouth has hosted it six times bears testament to that commitment."
Richard Wilcox, Executive Director of Falmouth BID added:
"Vibrant towns and communities are ones that come together for the common good. We have such a strong sense of community and partnership-working in the town, which enables the delivery of a wide-ranging programme from business support to festivals, public realm to lobbying.
"This award is very much a team effort and I’d like to give thanks to the many people and numerous organisations who productively worked together to facilitate the return of the magnificent tall ships to our special coastal community."