Red letter day for green Dales firms

Beechenhill Farm near Ashbourne and Hoe Grange Holidays near Matlock have both been nominated as finalists in the coveted VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2013. They are among 20 Green Tourism members to reach the finals of the awards, run by England’s national tourism body.

Both Derbyshire businesses are competing for the Sustainable Tourism Award while Hoe Grange is also up for the Access for All Tourism Award.

Andrea Nicholas, Director of Green Tourism, said: “Both Hoe Grange Holidays and Beechenhill Farm are valued members of Green Tourism having each achieved our gold grading. They have shown real commitment to the environment and to improving the sustainable use of resources.

“Their efforts are a shining example to others of how even simple things like sourcing food from local suppliers, cutting down on water use, installing energy saving lighting, increasing insulation and turning down the heating can all make a big difference to the environment and a business’s bottom line.”

A total of 320 entries have been whittled down to make the shortlist of nominations for the Awards , with the winners announced at Old Trafford, Manchester , on Monday 20 May.