Double celebration as local green businesses receive recognition at Peak District environmental award scheme’s 20th anniversary event

Businesses which support their local community, economy and environment were honoured at an extra special Peak District awards ceremony.

Ten new Environmental Quality Mark awards were presented to Peak District businesses which support and play an active role in their local economy, work to reduce their environmental impact and help to celebrate, conserve and enhance the Peak District National Park.  The very first Nationwide Environmental Quality Mark award was also presented.

The ceremony, at Chatsworth Carriage House, was a particularly special occasion because this year the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark is celebrating 20 years of recognising green businesses.

To mark the occasion, special engraved wooden plaques were presented to businesses that have held the Environmental Quality Mark for over ten years.

The event was organised by the Environmental Quality Mark Community Interest Company (EQM CIC), which runs the scheme on behalf of the Peak District National Park Authority. The evening was sponsored by environmental consultancy ADAS and Chatsworth.

James Berresford, Deputy Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority said: “The Environmental Quality Mark gives official recognition to businesses that are protecting the environment and playing their part in keeping the National Park such a special place”

Sarah Wynn, Managing Director of ADAS Climate & Sustainability said: “ADAS is the UKs largest environmental consultancy supporting agriculture to become more sustainable. We and the Environmental Quality Mark share the same ambition and we commend all the Peak District businesses awarded with the Mark who, over the last 20 years, have gone the extra mile to help their local environment and their local community.”

Tom Hendry, Devonshire Group Sustainability Manager said: “As an Environmental Quality Mark award holder, Chatsworth is proud to sponsor this event celebrating green businesses in the Peak District.”

EQM CIC Director Faith Johnson said: “The evening was a really special occasion. We can’t thank ADAS and Chatsworth enough for sponsoring  our celebration of these fantastic businesses’ achievements. As Chatsworth hold the Environmental Quality Mark, the Carriage House was a really fitting venue for the event. We wanted the awards dinner to show off the wonderful food that Environmental Quality Mark award holders produce. The Chatsworth catering team created a locally produced banquet. The food was fantastic.”

“I’d also like to say a massive thank you to award holders and local businesses who chipped in to help us create the perfect evening. Boulder Design kindly sponsored a very special local sparkling wine as a welcome drink - Renishaw Hall Vintage Cuvée 2017 - and Bollington food producer Fruits of the Forage provided delicious seasonal fruit cordials as an alternative.”

“As award holders Village Green Café, Eyam were receiving a special award for over ten years commitment to the EQM scheme that evening, it was really fitting they baked our 20 year anniversary cake, and that award holders Clearer Thinking were kind enough to sponsor it.”

The stunning seasonal floral display on the stage was grown, foraged and arranged by Kitchen Garden Flowers in Matlock and generously sponsored by Access & Inclusion UK.

There was also a raffle to raise funds for CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire whole tirelessly campaign to keep the Peak District National Park a special place.

The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark award winners were:

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton
• District Musicians, Wirksworth
• High Peak Osteopathic, Buxton
• Manor House Farm Cottages, Sheldon
• Moorland Meat, Holmesfield
• Mount Cook Adventure Centre, Middleton by Wirksworth
• Peak Village (Devonshire Property Retail Ltd), Rowsley
• Peak Walking Adventures, Ashbourne
• Sheldon House and Barn, Monyash
• Winnow Barns at Damgate Farm, Ilam.

The first event Nationwide Environmental Quality Mark award was presented to

• Simply Great Britain, Denstone.

Businesses recognised for more than ten years commitment to the Environmental Quality Mark scheme were:

• Acclimbatize (and Steep & Deep), Bonsall
• April Cottage & Woodturning at Christmas Cottage, Youlgrave
• Beechenhill Farm, Ilam
• Buxton Civic Association (Pooles Cavern & associated woodland), Buxton
• Dove Valley Centre, Longnor
• Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
• Village Green Café, Eyam