Double celebration as Peak District and Sheffield green businesses receive recognition at environmental awards ceremony

Peak District and Sheffield businesses, charities and voluntary organisations came together at a special awards ceremony, to be honoured for supporting their local communities, economy and the environment.

Five new Environmental Quality Mark awards were presented to organisations which trade to support their local economy, work to reduce their environmental impact and help to celebrate, conserve and enhance the Peak District National Park.

Seven Nationwide Environmental Quality Mark awards were also presented, the very first group to receive this newly available award, launched to mark the 20th anniversary of the Peak District scheme.

The ceremony, at the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield, was organised by the Environmental Quality Mark Community Interest Company (EQM CIC), which runs the Peak District award scheme on behalf of the Peak District National Park Authority. The event was sponsored by Boulder Design.

EQM CIC Director Faith Johnson said: "The evening was a really special occasion. We can’t thank Boulder Design enough for sponsoring our celebration of these fantastic organisations' achievements; and what wonderful venue! National Emergency Services Museum were one of the first to achieve the Nationwide Environmental Quality Mark, so we were delighted they could host the awards. Matt, Josh and the museum team worked really hard help us show off the wonderful food that Environmental Quality Mark award holders offer, as well as celebrate fantastic Sheffield producers. They really rose to the occasion, the food was fantastic.

"I'd also like to say a massive thank you to award holders and local businesses who also chipped in to help us create the perfect evening. Award holders East Peak Countryside Associates sponsored a very special local sparkling wine as a welcome drink - Renishaw Hall Vintage Cuvée Brut 2023 - and Sheffield food and farming co-operative Regather provided delicious community gathered and pressed apple juice as a non-alcoholic alternative."

“We were delighted to feature our award holding Moorland Meat conservation grazed beef in both the canapé selection and the main course, alongside seasonal veg from fellow award holders Chatsworth Farm Shop. Award holders Village Green Café, Eyam baked a delicious rhubarb Bakewell Tart that fellow award holders Hoe Grange Holidays were kind enough to sponsor.”

Phil Mulligan, Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority presented the Peak District awards and said: "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Peak District National Park, a milestone celebrating decades of conservation, recreation, and community engagement. We are proud to recognise these businesses that are protecting the environment and playing their part in this long history of keeping the National Park such a special place."

Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust received their Environmental Quality Mark and also generously offered financial support for other Sheffield organisations seeking to achieve the award.

Neil Anderson of the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust said: "We are thrilled to receive the Environmental Quality Mark in recognition of our work creating a legacy to the devastating German attacks on Sheffield in December 1940. We’re also proud to support other Sheffield organisations to achieve the Environmental Quality Mark award and celebrate our achievements together. There is currently a fascinating Sheffield Blitz exhibition here at the National Emergency Services Museum, so it's great that fellow award recipients get the opportunity to experience it as part of the awards evening.”

In addition to new Environmental Quality Mark awards, special engraved wooden plaques, generously sponsored by Access & Inclusion UK, were presented to three businesses that have made an outstanding contribution to the Environmental Quality Mark.

Photography for the event was by Front Row Live.

The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark award winners were:

1. Clonter Farm Music Trust, Congleton
2. Ecological Land Management, Oughtibridge
3. Pipistrelle Rides, Grindon
4. Pipistrelle Café, Grindon
5. The Welcome Team, Grange Mill

Nationwide Environmental Quality Mark award winners were:

1. Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, Sheffield
2. Bolsover Woodland Enterprise, Bolsover
3. Custombuilt Ltd, Sheffield
4. Grave Expectations, Matlock
5. Kids Plant Trees, Sheffield
6. National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
7. Owlthorpe Fields Conservation Group, Sheffield

Businesses recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Environmental Quality Mark scheme were:

• The Welcome Team, Grange Mill, for outstanding newcomer
• East Peak Countryside Associates, Renishaw, for over ten years commitment to the scheme
• Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington, for showing leadership in climate resilience