Carnforth’s Leighton Hall celebrate two award nominations

Staff at Leighton Hall in Carnforth are celebrating two industry award nominations. 

For the first time, the hall has been chosen as a finalist in the Enterprise Vision Awards, the UK’s largest business awards dedicated solely to women, recognising creating positive impact and making a difference in local communities alongside business entrepreneurship.

Leighton’s estate manager Lucy Arthurs will face a further grilling from the judging panel ahead of the winners being announced at a ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in September.

The team are also celebrating a nomination from Historic Houses, which represents thousands of independent and family-owned historic houses, castles and gardens across the UK.

Leighton has reached the final of the Frances Garnham Award, one of just five categories in these prestigious awards, which recognises innovative approaches to education and community engagement.

“It’s been quite a week,’’ said Lucy, whose famous Gillow family have lived in the Hall for generations.

“To be nominated in the EVAs is recognition of not just myself, but my mother’s inspiring example, the many incredible women on the Leighton team, how far we’ve moved from “traditional” expectations, and the empowerment we aim to pass on to the next generations coming through.

“Historic Houses is an incredible organisation, enabling unique examples of British history to remain open, accessible, and inspirational.

‘’We won their Sustainability Award last year, so to receive further recognition for another of our passions, education, is further endorsement of our hard work and investment, including innovative school visits, forest school, community and charity partnerships, and building our new education hub to the highest environmental standards.”

The Historic Houses awards evening is being held in November.