A NEW bursary award for tourism and hospitality students from Wales, who have excelled at their studies through industrial work placement, has been jointly presented to three final-year students from UWIC's (University of Wales Institute, Cardiff) Welsh School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management.
The late Ian Bell OBE, former proprietor (1967 until 2000) of St. Bride's Hotel, Saundersfoot, and one the tourism and hospitality industry's most well known and respected hoteliers, passed away in July 2002. Mr. Bell, who worked tirelessly championing the hotel and tourism industry for over 40 years, travelled all over the world promoting Pembrokeshire and Wales.
The Ian Bell Foundation Award, which has been established to commemorate Mr. Bell's outstanding contribution to the promotion and marketing of tourism, was presented to the winning students on February 5, at UWIC's Celtic Suite training restaurant, at the Colchester Avenue campus. The presentation was attended by Mr. Bell's widow Margaret and their daughter Gillian.
At the presentation, Ria Dunkley, age 22, from Aberystwyth, received an award of £500 in recognition of her placement at the Idle Rocks Hotel in St. Mawes, Cornwall.
UWIC accepted an award of £400 on behalf of Katie Jenkins, age 21, from Haverfordwest, in recognition of her placement at the Gower Hotel in Saundersfoot. Katie is currently visiting the Gambia as part of a final-year course field trip.
Charlotte Evans, age 21, from Blaina, Gwent, received an award of £300 in recognition of her placement working with adults with special needs in Pennsylvania, USA.
Peter Osborne MBE, one of the organisers of The Ian Bell Foundation Award and former proprietor of the Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby, said: "These awards are truly in the spirit of Ian Bell, who was always concerned about the training of future tourism and hospitality professionals. Ian was also concerned that the awards should go to recipients in Wales. The organisers of the award and Ian's family feel that we have fulfilled his wishes."
Philip Bradshaw, work-based learning co-ordinator at UWIC's Welsh School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management, said: "This award brings together the academic and tourism and hospitality industry communities, and demonstrates the value placed upon UWIC's tourism and hospitality programmes and students, by those working in the industry.
"The Ian Bell Foundation Award specifically recognises the value of UWIC's industrial work experience programme, as the award was based upon what the students learned and experienced while out on placement."
The Ian Bell Foundation is sponsored by the British Hospitality Association, Wales Tourist Board, Rotary Club of Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire Hotels and Restaurants Association and Pembrokeshire Holiday Marketing Ltd.