NEWS RELEASE June 2010

Battlesteads Country Hotel and Restaurant in Wark, near Hexham, has been presented with a 2010 Green Heroes wall shield in recognition of its award winning environmental philosophy and success in creating a green destination hotel.

Battlesteads is leading the field in sustainable tourism with all heating and hot water supplied by a carbon-neutral bio mass boiler, and all fruit and veg for the kitchen grown on site in a two acre garden and two polytunnels. Owners Richard and Dee Slade are extremely proud of their achievements and have become unofficial green ambassadors to the hospitality industry.

The Green Hero wall shields are awarded annually by ‘the Green Organisation’ in recognition of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that enhance the environment and wish to share their experience and knowledge with the world. The accolade was presented to Richard and Dee at a celebratory awards ceremony held at The Tower of London by star of stage and screen Carol Royle.

The judges commented: “Richard and Dee took on Battlesteads as an ailing business in 2005 and set about turning it around with significant and brave investment in their green credentials. Replacement of heat and light equipment, addition of solar panels and a carbon-neutral boiler, all deliveries sourced within 25 miles, vegetables grown on site, and nurturing their surroundings to encourage wildlife have helped them gain an 800% increase in business, with running costs only rising by 10%. One in five guests return for another visit.”

The award-winning hotel will be featured in the next Green Book, the world’s only work of reference on environmental best practice.

Battlesteads also won a Green Apple Award presented in November during a special prize giving ceremony at the House of Commons. The Green Apple and Green Hero Awards campaigns are run by The Green Organisation – an independent, non-political, non-profit organisation that recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world. 

Supporters include the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and various other professional bodies.
 

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