The Japanese ambassador Hayashi Hajime has this week on behalf of the Japanese government bestowed upon Mrs Elizabeth Jane Hasell-McCosh, The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays at a ceremony held at the Ambassador's residence in Kensington Palace Gardens on Tuesday (1st October).
Ambassador Hayashi Hajime said he had “the distinct privilege of bestowing The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, upon Mrs Elizabeth Jane Hasell-McCosh, in recognition of her efforts to strengthen relations between Japan and the United Kingdom through the Dalemain World Marmalade Awards and Festival.”
Mrs Hasell-McCosh, is the founder of the World Marmalade Awards and Festival that has grown into an international event from Dalemain Mansion that has contributed to the promotion of grassroots exchange between Japan and the United Kingdom, both in terms of Japanese participation in the festival and Japanese visitors to the gardens at Dalemain.
The Mrs Hasell-McCosh efforts have supported the realisation and development of the festival's Japan competition in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, something which has helped promote local industries within Japan. Additionally, as an owner of the Dalemain Historic House and Gardens, she has enhanced the understanding and appreciation of garden culture between Japan and the United Kingdom, and promoted civil exchanges through tourism.
Ambassador Hayashi, who has himself participated in the World Marmalade Awards & Festival three times, together with his wife , shared his admiration for the beauty of the gardens carefully managed by Mrs Hasell-McCosh. He commended the festival's significant role in regional promotion and revitalisation, and acknowledged Mrs Hasell-McCosh's achievements in extending her initiatives from the United Kingdom to overseas, including Japan.
Ambassador Hayashi said “It seems like only yesterday—and indeed, it was less than six months ago—tha tmy wife and I had the great pleasure of attending the 2024 Dalemain World Marmalade Awards Ceremony. Since my arrival in London as the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, I have been privileged to attend this wonderful event with my life three times, beginning in 2021. Each visit has been a memorable experience, and we hold the memories of these gatherings dearly. As always, it was delightful to see competitors and visitors alike, from the United Kingdom, Japan and other countries of the world, engage in meaningful cultural exchange, mediated through a mutual love for an artisan product. At the same time, I would like to emphasise that Jane’s project also has the power to revitalise local communities and regional economies. Since Jane launched the festival at Dalemain in 2005, it has not only become an occasion to celebrate the art of creating fine marmalade, but also an asset to the wider community and region, attracting attendees, competitors and even business representatives from across the United Kingdom and beyond.”
In response, Mrs Hasell-McCosh expressed her gratitude towards her family and everyone who has supported the World Marmalade Awards & Festival. She reflected deeply on her contributions to the small-scale farmers and local community in the Dalemain area through the festival, and the profound experience of bridging the cultures of Japan and the United Kingdom.
“It’s an extraordinary thing to be recognised in this way. I feel extremely proud to be receiving this award which I do so partly on behalf of so many others who volunteered and contributed to both the UK and Japan Festivals & Awards which make them what they are today. It has been a huge pleasure to spend time in Japan and visit the Festival in Yawatahama over the past five years since it began and to get to know the team there, led by Mayor Ishiro Oshiro.”
Previous notable recipients of the various grades of The Order of The Rising Sun include: Bill Gates, William Hague, Gustave Eiffel, Olivia Newton-John, Nancy Pelosi, Caroline Kennedy, Ted Heath, John Major and Clint Eastwood.
Award Ceremony photos supplied by Embassy of Japan in the UK
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