VisitEngland’s Fan in a Van Visits Blackpool

21st June 2012

Categories: Press Releases - Latest

Rachel Kershaw, selected as England’s Biggest Fan by the national tourism board, VisitEngland, is on week 5 of her 10-week trip journey around the country – next stop, Blackpool! 

Itinerant on her journey in a vintage camper van named ‘Rosie,’ Rachel kicked off her travels in Land’s End, Cornwall on Saturday 19th May for a trip that will take in every corner of England. Her next leg of the journey will be in Cumbria and then to Blackpool, where she’ll be visiting the Tower and getting into a tank at SEA LIFE Blackpool. 

Rachel commented: ‘I am so excited about getting back to Blackpool! Having grown up in Rochdale, we spent many a family holiday in Blackpool and I have such fantastic memories. I’ve not been back since the developments, so I’ll be going up the Tower of course but I’ll also be riding on the Pleasure Beach Big One with Richard Rodriguez, who is riding it for 3 whole months in a World Record Attempt! I’ve always talked about going back to Blackpool and can’t believe it has taken me this long.”

Rachel, 30, won the nationwide contest as a result of her infectious passion for England and her zest for life. She was chosen from a shortlist of 12 other potential Fan in a Vans by a judging panel comprised of Lady Cobham, VisitEngland’s chairman, Martin Dorey, author of The Camper Van Coast Book and Sally Shalam, brit-centric travel journalist, based on her entry video, photograph and enticing description of her favourite place in England, Newcastle upon Tyne.
VisitEngland’s Chairman, Lady Cobham said:

“What Rachel doesn’t know about England by the end of the trip won’t be worth knowing! Rachel will be England’s official number-one fan, and chief inspiration officer for the country. This is a brilliant opportunity to explore England to the full and will, I’m sure, inspire the Great British Public to take a holiday at home this year and enjoy what we have on offer during this very special year.”

Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, said she is delighted Rachel’s calling into Blackpool on her trip.

Ms Wyatt said: “This is a great opportunity for Rachel to see just how much Blackpool has changed since she was last here as a child. She’s going to experience some fabulous things while she is in the resort and I am sure she will have some great news to report on her blog.
“As England’s Biggest Fan it is a real honour that Rachel has chosen to come to Blackpool. She will not be disappointed.”

Follow Rachel and Rosie’s journey yourself by following them on Twitter @faninavan or reading Rachel’s travel blog on http://www.visitenglandblog.com/faninavan/.