In the beautiful setting of Hallaton's Stenning Hall, the 19th Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage Awards took place on Thursday 24 July, celebrating excellence in the two counties over the past year.

The ceremony was extremely friendly reflecting the strong museum community in Leicestershire and Rutland and the standard of the entries was again extremely high.

Museums had entered three categories and winners were selected by a panel of three judges: Ernie White CC representing Leicestershire County Council; Stephen Butt of BBC Radio Leicester and Jonathan Wallis, Deputy Head of Derby Museums and Gallery and a representative of the Museums Association.

The awards were kindly sposnsored by Renaissance East Midlands.

Castle Donington Museum for an exercise in advocacy. The museum felt that it wasn't well known as while in Leicestershire, it has a Derby postcode and telephone number. The museum decided to organise a party to let people know about it and focused on inviting Leicestershire's movers and shakers.

District and County Councillors attended, including the Council chairmen, the local MP, David Taylor, went as did many other key people. They enjoyed a buffet and the opportunity to tour the museum and find out more about it and local history from the museum volunteers.

The event was extremely successful and a great start to the museum's aim to put itself on the map.

The judges were impressed by the museum's insight and awareness of the importance of advocacy. They saw the event as a great success that generated longer term benefits including invitations to promote the museum at other events.

Highly commended - Sir John Moore Heritage for 1940's night, Appleby at War, a weekend event during May commemorating the local links to the Second World War with vintage vehicles, wartime food and a Vera Lynn tribute act.

Whitwick Historical Society for Whitwick Then and Now. As part of its 25th birthday celebration, Whitwick Historical Society put on an exhibition tracing local history through the ages, encouraging young and old to find out more and add their memories to the project.

Members of the local community and school pupils helped to research the history for the exhibition, lending artefacts and photographs. The local cubs provided overnight security and Snibston Discovery Park provided information from its Mines and Memories project.

Games and quizzes kept children entertained and a local craftsman loaned life size carvings to add to the atmosphere.

The judges were delighted with the community feel and the meticulous planning, interpretation and breadth of information on show. The project was professional and connected the community to its history.

Sir John Moore Foundation for the Cellar Project. This was the redevelopment of a storage area in the Grade 1 listed building to a reception and drinks area providing more space for the museum and a new source of income to support community activities.

The new development used reclaim materials where possible, including cabinets from a local solicitors which became the bar. The space has enabled the museum to hold more events including 28 community events and 15 private functions which have generated £10,000 to be used to support community initiatives.

The cellar is also used as the venue for a local youth club and has hosted a video installation.

The judges thought that this was an excellent use of previously redundant space. The redevelopment was extremely well done. The initiative was risky, but the positive attitude ensured it has been a huge success.

Highly commended: Foxton Inclined Plane Trust for Restoration of Foxton Locks. This was a partnership project whereby the Inclined Plane Trust acted as historical and interpretive consultants for the refurbishment which has received excellent feedback from visitors.

Sir John Moore Foundation. The judges were impressed with the museum's excellent work and great steps over the past year. The site is a real asset, it is generating income and organising community activities, including excellent activities for children and young people. Sir John Moore Foundation shows what can be achieved on limited resources with enthusiasm, ideas and commitment.