Cumbrian businesswoman Vicky Robinson has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for her contribution to the arts in the county.
Vicky, who lives in Bowness and runs the White Lodge Hotel with her sister Liz, has been recognised for her involvement with Theatre by the Lake in Keswick and the Lakeland Book of the Year Awards.
The award is the second for Theatre by the Lake this year, after executive director Patric Gilchrist was awarded an MBE in the New Year honours list in January.
Originally from Sheffield, Vicky studied law at Sheffield University and read for the Bar. She had a brief early foray into the arts as a third assistant director with two Italian film companies, before relocating to Keswick to open a bistro.
“I was drawn to the town’s Century Theatre,” said Vicky. “Many of the actors came into our bistro, as did the theatre’s supporters. Sometimes the theatre was referred to as ‘a crisis on wheels’, but it inspired real loyalty and love.”
Vicky eventually became chair of the venue and in 1995 joint chair of Cumbria Theatre Trust.