Palace wins top green award (From The Oxford Times)

Palace wins top green award

2:02pm Monday 16th November 2009 in

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DIGNITARIES visited Blenheim Palace to congratulate the Duke of Marlborough on gaining a prestigious green award.

The Woodstock palace became the 2,000th member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) in a special ceremony carried out by Witney MP David Cameron.

Her Excellency Mme Fu Ying, Chinese ambassador, joined the Conservative leader to present the 11th Duke of Marlborough with a tree.

His Grace said: “It is a great credit to everyone within the business here at Blenheim Palace to receive such recognition and to receive such awards this year including large visitor attraction of the year and green business tourism. We all feel incredibly proud of these important achievements, which recognise the high standards and continuing hard work that is applied daily to improve the enjoyment of our visitors.”

This is the first time the palace has entered the awards.

Heather Carter, head of operations at the palace, said: “We are very proud to be the 2,000th member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. We are very committed to working in a sustainable way, and with green issues now very much in the mainstream, we have undertaken many important actions in order to improve our environmental and social performance.”

The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill was awarded a silver award in recognition of its commitment to helping the environment.

Award winners are scrutinised by assessors on more than 145 separate measures, including efficient lighting and heating, nature conservation, use of renewable energy, buying local produce, and community involvement. Among changes made within the palace and its 2,100 acres of parkland was the introduction of low-energy lighting and timers on the fountains. Staff at the palace have also started using more eco-friendly cleaning products and improving recycling.

Andrea Nicholas, director of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, said: “Blenheim Palace is an icon of the British landscape. We are very proud to admit them to the growing family of GTBS members across the UK.

“The palace has worked hard to obtain a silver grading and has shown real commitment to the environment and to improving the sustainable use of resources. It is a shining example to others of how such magnificent monuments to Britain’s past can help lead the way to preserving our future.”

The Green Tourism Business Scheme honours businesses that show high levels of commitment in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable tourism with bronze, silver and gold awards.