Mansfield Museum is celebrating after scooping another two awards.

The museum, which has had its most successful summer since 2007, received an accolade at the Biennial Regional Heritage Awards, held at the National Civil War Museum and Palace Theatre, Newark.

It was named Best Project on a Shoestring (less than £1,000) for its Fitness, Food and Fun festival.

Museum curator Liz Weston was also honoured as she received a lifetime achievement award for an outstanding contribution to museums in the East Midlands.

She said the whole team at the museum was delighted with the Best Project on a Shoestring award.

“It is a fantastic accolade for the whole team, who as always worked together on the project,” she said.

Talking about her own award, Liz, who is shortly to retire from the museum, added: “I have been fortunate to have spent over 32 years at Mansfield doing a job that I have loved.

“The achievements over this time have been down to the whole team who have, without exception, contributed to the ongoing success of the museum. We do it for the community and strongly believe in the value of what we deliver.

“It has been an absolute joy and privilege to work with them all.”

The free six-day festival in March 2018, aimed at the whole family, focused on food, fitness and fun.

The event wanted to help people make the right choices when it comes to healthy lifestyles.

It included a health walk around Mansfield, complete with a picnic at Carr Bank Park, a Sugar Scientists presentation, and a chance to have a go at Hotpod Yoga.

Visitors to the festival also got the chance to find out more about physical activity, diet, creativity, and local community groups and charities.

The event pointed people in the right direction for individuals and organisations that could help them learn how to make lifestyle changes to become healthier.

A total of 130 guests attended the awards, which are organised and funded by Museum Development East Midlands and recognise excellence and innovation in museums, historic houses and heritage sites across the region.

There was a record number of 83 entries from 48 different organisations.

The awards were judged by Dr Abi Hunt, head of department (marketing and tourism) at the University of Lincoln; Chris Keady, head of collections, learning and participation and interim museum manager at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust; and Katt Hanson, a Masters student on the museum and heritage development course at Nottingham Trent University.

Dr Hunt and Chris took part in the ceremony, sharing their thoughts on the entries and presenting the awards.

Among the other winners was Creswell Crags, which won the Judges’ Special Award for ‘taking an enterprising approach to the discovery of the Witch Marks’.

Thanks were given to the judges; the National Civil War Centre; Arts Council England for funding Museum Development East Midlands; Mick Fox for photography; and DeType for designing the plaques and certificates.

The awards followed the Regional Heritage Conference — Being Brave in a New World — which considered how heritage organisations can adapt to the needs of a changing world by being relevant, robust and remarkable.

Keynote speakers were Ruchi Aggarwal, director of business development at the Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln; Cath Hume, director of Arts Marketing Association; and Denny Plowman and Tom Huggon from Green’s Mill.

Workshops highlighted a number of regional and national initiatives, including Being A 21st Century Visitor Attraction; Running A Local History Café; Engaging Schools, Becoming More Family Friendly; Working in Partnership; and Creating Welcoming Environments For People With Autism.