Ian Forbes
Taking home the trophy
A man who played a pivotal role in transforming a long-abandoned mine into an award-winning tourist attraction has been announced as the winner of this year’s Pendlebury Award.
Ian Forbes, MBE, from Westgate, was presented with the accolade at the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership’s Annual Forum at Bowlees Visitor Centre.
The award was set up three years ago to recognise the contribution of a person who makes a significant impact on the conservation and enhancement of the area. It commemorates the AONB Partnership’s first chairman, Bob Pendlebury, who died in 2012.
‘Delighted and honoured’
Mr Forbes, who retired from Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum five years ago, after 25 years of service, said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been given this award. I was privileged to know Bob Pendlebury for many years and he was one of the most supportive people you could ever meet. He was instrumental in the setting up of Killhope in the early years when I worked there, so it means a great deal to receive this award in Bob’s memory.”
Supporter of numerous projects
Mr Forbes, who is now the Chairman of the charity Friends of the North Pennines, and supports numerous community projects, is the third winner of the award which was previously won by Margaret Bradshaw, MBE and former Durham County Council ranger Dave Liddle.
Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the AONB Partnership, said: “I’m very pleased that Ian’s contribution to the North Pennines AONB over many years has been recognised with this award.
“Looking after our natural and cultural heritage needs as many people like Ian as we can find and it’s right that years of enthusiasm, knowledge and effort can be acknowledged in this way.”
Released: 15 July 2015