Tourism honour forDowager Duchess

Jeni Harvey

A LIFETIME achievement award was handed to the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire at the first ever Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.

About 170 guests, including the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, packed into the Chatsworth estate’s Carriage House Restaurant to see the Dowager Duchess receive special recognition for her contribution to tourism in the region.

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Accepting her award, the Dowager Duchess – who will celebrate her 90th birthday on March 31 – quipped that she “might have had some ideas” over the years, but also praised the roles played by both her late husband and the team at Chatsworth.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “The Duchess and I, and all who work at Chatsworth, were delighted to see my mother receive this award. Chatsworth would not be in its current good health but for the efforts of my parents.”

Other winners at the ceremony on Thursday included Charlotte Spivey, from The Maynard in Grindleford, Young Manager of the Year; Louise Reeves, from The Old Hall in Buxton, Most Promising Student; Alan Barber, from Crich Tramway Village, Volunteer of the Year; and John Coulson, marketing and events manager at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.