Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, congratulated local winners of the Sanford Award as they arrived in Westminster for the award ceremony earlier this month. Sheridan Breeden, Barbara Parkes and Ruth Perry from Harvington Hall near Kidderminster, were invited to Parliament on 8th February in recognition of the excellence of the Hall's educational services and facilities. The Award, set up by Lord Sanford in the 1970s, also recognised their outstanding contribution to Heritage Education.
Harvington Hall is a moated medieval and Elizabethan manor-house built in the 1580s. It still houses many original Elizabethan wall paintings and contains the finest series of priest-holes in the country. The Hall is popular for schools trips which are offered by experienced guides. The Sanford Award is therefore a fitting tribute to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the volunteers who present its educational activities.