Marmalade award founder honoured by Japan

Previous recipients of The Order of The Rising Sun include Bill Gates, Olivia Newton-John, John Major and Clint Eastwood

A woman who spreads the joy of making marmalade has been recognised for her contribution to relations between the UK and Japan.

Jane Hasell-McCosh is the founder of The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards, held annually on an estate near Penrith, Cumbria.

She has been honoured by the government of Japan for welcoming Japanese visitors and their marmalade to Cumbria, and for her support for a similar festival in Yawatahama City.

The Japanese ambassador to the UK, Hajime Hayashi, who has himself entered the competition three times, said he was "deeply respectful and grateful" for her efforts.

Marmalade is popular in Japan, using citruses such as yuzu and daidai, and over the years more and more Japanese people began entering the World Marmalade Awards.

This led to the country establishing its own festival in 2019.

The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards began in 2005 to celebrate community and raise money for charity

Ms Hasell-McCosh was presented with The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, which recognises people who have made distinguished contributions to Japan.

Previous recipients of the award's various grades include Bill Gates, William Hague, Olivia Newton-John, Nancy Pelosi, and Clint Eastwood.

Ms Hasell-McCosh said she felt "extremely proud".

"I receive this award partly on behalf of so many others who volunteered and contributed to both the UK and Japan festivals which make them what they are today," she said.

"It has been a huge pleasure to spend time in Japan and visit Yawatahama over the past five years since it began and to get to know the team there, led by Mayor Ichiro Oshiro."

The festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on 26 April 2025, with all the entry fees for the homemade competition going to the charity Hospice at Home, Carlisle & North Lakeland.

To date, the annual event has raised more than £250,000 for charity.