Tourism's Local Heroes Scoop Derbyshire's 'Oscars'

5 March 2010

The Dowager Duchess at the awards ceremony

Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire receives a Lifetime Achievment Award

Heroes of the local tourism industry have had their hard work highlighted and rewarded at the first-ever 'Oscars'-style awards evening staged by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire was the proud recipient of a special Lifetime Achievement Award - and ten main category winners gained well-deserved accolades - at the official tourist board's Excel Tourism Awards at Chatsworth last night (Thursday March 4).

Around 170 guests - including the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire - packed the Carriage House Restaurant to see the Dowager Duchess receive special recognition for her major contribution to tourism at the start of a memorable evening showcasing quality and excellence in the local tourism workforce.

The Dowager Duchess was clearly thrilled that both her own and the late 11th Duke's considerable achievements over 55 years at Chatsworth were acknowledged on 'home ground' at our very first Excel Tourism Awards," said David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.
"It was a pleasure to pay tribute to their influential role as ambassadors - not only for Chatsworth, but also for the Peak District & Derbyshire - as well as rewarding some of the many talented and dedicated people currently working in tourism across the area."

Accepting her award, The Dowager Duchess - who will celebrate her 90th birthday on March 31 praised the key roles played by both her late husband and the hard-working, committed team behind the scenes at Chatsworth.

"The Duchess and I, and all who work at Chatsworth, were delighted to see my mother receive this award," added the Duke of Devonshire

Host for the evening was former BBC East Midlands Today TV presenter Andrew James, and main category award winners were:

Young Chef of the Year (sponsored by the University of Derby Buxton): Veronica Dixon, Marriott Breadsall Priory Hotel and Country Club.

Most Promising Student (sponsored by the University of Derby Buxton): Louise Reeves, The Old Hall Hotel, Buxton.

Outstanding Customer Care -sponsored by the Clear Black Wine Company: Trevor Willdig, Marriott Breadsall Priory Hotel and Country Club, Morley.

Young Manager of the Year -sponsored by the Derbyshire Economic Partnership): Charlotte Spivey, The Maynard, Grindleford.

Most Promising Trainee -sponsored by Derby College: Tim Turner, The National Trust (Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield).

Tourism Young Achiever -sponsored by Sounds Commercial: Oliver Brown, Bluebell Dairy Ltd, Derby.
Volunteer of the Year -sponsored by the Derbyshire Times Group of Newspapers: Alan Barber, Crich Tramway Village.

Team of the Year - sponsored by the Derbyshire Economic Partnership: Gullivers Kingdom, Matlock Bath.

Unsung Hero - sponsored by C W Sellors: Brian Gammon, East Lodge Hotel & Restaurant, Rowsley

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism -sponsored by the Camping and Caravanning Club: John Coulson, formerly of English Heritage, now Marketing and Events Manager at the Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath.

Added David James: "We are particularly grateful to Chatsworth for agreeing to be our main sponsor for this year's event, and also to the other organisations who supported it in a host of ways - particularly our partners the Derbyshire Economic Partnership and our category sponsors.

We hope that the Excel Tourism Awards will become a prominent event in the county's annual calendar in future years, celebrating the breadth of quality and excellence we have in our local tourism industry."
Other sponsors of this year's awards are the The Irongate Group, Thornbridge Brewery and Charlotte's Chocolates.

For further details, visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com .

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Tourism's Local Heroes Scoop Derbyshire's 'Oscars'