Consul urges town to enter Disney bid

We may think we live in a Mickey Mouse world but for one Shropshire town it could become a reality if it is twinned with Walt Disney World.

It is possibly the stuff of dreams for children, but in a serious bid, Dean Churm, the British Consul in Orlando, who grew up in Telford, wants the town to be nominated to be twinned with the iconic Disney brand.

Mr Churm, consul for Florida, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, wants Telford residents to put the town forward to win the Disney competition.

Originally from Wellington, Mr Churm said he was "still a Shropshire boy at heart" and would be delighted if Telford became the official Walt Disney World Twinned Town.

Organisers are looking for a town that shares Disney values, and have invited people to put forward their home towns, cities or villages.

The winners will get a holiday for four to Walt Disney World and a grand party for 150 people will also be laid on in the winning town, as well as a twinning ceremony in Orlando.

Chance

Mr Churm, who has been pushing Telford's credentials on his Twitter page at @UKinOrlando said: "I don't have any influence on what town is chosen but I would say that Telford would have a very good chance.

"When Walt Disney built the Epcot Centre, he envisioned it as a new town, so there is obviously a very strong connection there with Telford.

"If people mentioned the Ironbridge Gorge and other places like Oakengates, I would say Telford would be in with a shot.

"I just wanted to make people in Shropshire aware of the competition, because I was looking on the website the other day and I saw there were no entries from Telford.

"It would be a great way of putting the town on the map!"

To enter or for further information, log onto www.waltdisneyworldtwinnedtown.co.uk

Why Florida's Dean is still a Shropshire boy

The man looking to twin Telford with Disney has a character that is just as interesting as the Walt classics.

After attending Ercall Wood School, he went on to New College in Wellington and left in 1986 before going to work for the Minnistry of Defence in Donnington.

But by 1993 the 41-year-old was at the British Embassy in Washington where he worked for the Defence Business Services until 1998.

His next move was to Whitehall where he worked for the Ministry of Defence before returning to America in 2002 to Defence Business Services.

Within three years he was called to Orlando where he now sits as the consul.

"I really enjoy coming home," says Dean. "I get back to Wellington three or four times a year."