East Devon District Council’s public art gallery -THG (Thelma Hulbert Gallery) has scooped a  Bronze award at the prestigious 2015 Devon Tourism Awards. 

THG was up against four other finalists from across the county to win the award for ‘Small Attraction Of The Year’ (Plymouth Gin, Stuart Line Cruises and Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life).

Victoria Hatfield, Chair of Visit Devon, said:“The quality of the visitor offering, that Devon delivers, increases year on year and this is testament to the dedication, commitment and investment from the businesses nominated in the Devon Tourism Awards this, and previous, years.  The visitor economy in Devon is worth 2.3 billion to the local economy which, in turn, supports 62,451 jobs in the county.  This is 12% of all employment in Devon and this is why we do what we do.” 

“We are thrilled!” commented Angela Blackwell, THG’s Manager and Curator. “It is fantastic that all the hard work put in by the staff and our wonderful team of volunteers has been recognized through this Bronze Award. 2015 has been a spectacular year for THG, from the runaway success of our Matisse exhibition in January to celebrating our best week ever in October when over 700 visitors came to Luke Jerram’s installation for Museums At Night. Although we are a small gallery, we like to punch above our weight!”

Awards organizer Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added, “"You are all very special - in an era of ever dwindling public sector funding you are the industry leaders who can take Devon forward.  More and more it will be businesspeople like you that must take the lead in putting Devon at the fore, ensuring it is at the forefront of what is one of the fast growing and most competitive industries in the world.”