The first ever National Trust Beatrix Potter Awards, supported by the University of Cumbria, have taken place to celebrate the diverse aspects of the writer and conservationists’ life.
Eight awards were made; young illustrators had their work recognised along with volunteers engaged in a variety of projects aimed at preserving the Cumbrian landscape.
John Moffat, General Manager, South Lakes & Beatrix Potter properties said: “We have been delighted with the response to our first National Trust Beatrix Potter Awards and would like to congratulate all the winners and the runners-up. It shows just how relevant Beatrix is today, even 150 years after her birth”.
Winner of the university-sponsored Community Business Award was Inspired by Lakeland, an enterprise based in Skelwith Bridge producing items sourced and produced locally.
David Felton & Evelyn Sinclair of Inspired by Lakeland said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the Award: everything we sell is sourced and made locally with profits ploughed back into sustainable local businesses & Cumbrian-based charities. The Award echoes the passion that we’ve both brought to the project – which we are keen to keep true to Cumbria and the Lake District”.
Sarah Stables, enterprise and business lead at the University of Cumbria who was among judges of the community business category, said: “The university's business school has a long history of supporting local businesses and budding entrepreneurs and is delighted to support the National Trust and the Beatrix Potter awards.”
Winner and runners-up were as follows:
|
Category |
Winner |
Runners Up |
Judges |
|
Story Illustration: Under 7 years |
Maisie |
Nicholas Amy |
Thomas Merrington, Brand Manager, Peter Rabbit: Penguin Random House, Katie Bond, National Trust Publisher Jo Epsom, Children’s Illustrator
|
|
Story Illustration: 8-12 Years |
Jake |
Maisy Jessica |
As above |
|
Looking after Landscape |
Watchtree Nature Reserve |
Fix the Fells Volunteer Lengthsmen |
John Hodgson, Lake District National Park; John Hooson, National Trust |
|
Farming with Nature |
Sam & Can Hodgson Glencoyne Farm |
Pete Webster, Matson Ground Farm Bekka & David Corrie-Close, The Horned Beef Company. |
Richard Park, Low Sizergh Farm Alistair Wright, National Trust Jenny Grange, Natural England
|
|
Herdwick Champion |
Anthony Hartley, Turner Hall Farm |
Stanley Jackson, Nook Farm Jean Wilson, Dockray Farm |
Amanda Carson, HSBA Neil Johnson NT Mervyn Edwards |
|
Local Hero |
Lindsay Buck |
Helen Towers (Youthability Volunteers) Lynn Roberts |
Lorrainne Smyth, Voluntary Action Cumbria; Judith Holdshaw, Cumbria Volunteer Service; Vicky Wilkinson, NT |
|
Community Business |
Inspired by Lakeland |
The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden; Lorton Village Shop |
Sarah Stables, Cumbria University; Suzanne Caldwell, Cumbria Chamber; Mike Innerdale, NT |
|
Looking after Beatrix’s Legacy |
Terry Davies |
Amanda Marshall |
Stacey McShane, World of Beatrix Potter; John Moffat, NT Harvey Wilkinson, NT |