Bridport Literary Festival director Tanya Bruce-Lockhart was given a surprise award by Dorset High Sheriff George Streatfeild.

On Wednesday at the Bridport Literary Festival that was able to go ahead before restrictions came in, as she was thanking author Sir Barney White-Spunner at the end of an illustrated talk about his book, Berlin , Mr Streatfeild walked on to the Electric Palace stage in full regalia to present her with a special certificate.

The prestigious High Sheriff Award was presented to her in recognition of the determination and the immense work undertaken by her to put on a live programme of Covid safe events at this year's festival.

'I thought it was a This is Your Life moment'

Mr Streatfeild said: "In a year when joys are in short supply, being able, as High Sheriff, to thank people for the amazing work they do is a huge privilege and joy.

"I have known Tanya ever since she moved down to west Dorset 20 years ago. She would come to Denhay Farm at Broadoak, march into the office, sit herself down and regale us with stories of her life and travels. She is always wonderful company."

The BridLit team was determined to go 'live' this year. The annual, week-long festival had been reduced to four days and everything had been in place at the Electric Palace and Bridport Arts Centre to ensure the safety of audiences, vlunteers and writers to enjoy a programme of literary events

But the beginning of a new lockdown last Thursday meant the festival had to be cut short, although Wednesday's events could still go ahead.

Mrs Bruce-Lockhart said the award came as a complete surprise.

"I thought at first it was a This is Your Life moment and wondered what else would unravel," she said.

"I was stunned, thrilled and delighted to be awarded the High Sheriff's Award and the greatly appreciated citation that George read to the audience."

Long career in television merely 'warm-up act for her second career'

Mrs Bruce-Lockhart's first career was in London in Television and journalism.

She started on the London Weekend Television team and moved to become a researcher on chat shows with David Frost, Frank Muir, Simon Dee and David Jacobs. She produced the The Russell Harty Show, then joined Humphrey Burton as a producer of arts documentaries for Aquarius and then worked with Melvyn Bragg on The South Bank Show.

Latterly, she joined Granada Television to head up arts programming and was instrumental in bringing the ballets of choreographer Kenneth Macmillan to ITV.

Mr Streatfeild told the audience: "This career was merely a warm-up act for her second career – one she is still only halfway through,"

The festival has grown in quality and popularity

"Twenty years ago, she moved to Dorset and became director of the Beaminster Festival for Music and the Arts, which she ran from 2004 to 2014," he said.

"She was able to use her journalism and television contacts to expand the content of the festival considerably, increasing its diversity and range.

"At the same time, Tanya took control of the Bridport Literary Festival, which is now in its 16th year. It too has benefitted from Tanya's breadth of vision, her desire to encourage and stimulate ideas and provoke debate and a commitment to fuel a wide range of interests of audiences from west Dorset and much further afield.

"The festival is organised entirely by Tanya – her knowledge of authors and the subjects that will bring an audience, her connections with London agents and publishers, her own creative flair, tireless determination, attention to detail and her ability to attract a loyal group of volunteers have resulted in a festival which grows in quality and popularity with each year.

"Even in this Covid year, Tanya has organised one of the very few live festivals, just.

"Now regarded as one of the major literary festivals in the country, Tanya has ensured that BridLit is recognised for quality and diversity and a forum for literary excellence."

An amazing contribution to the life and vitality of west Dorset

Mr Streatfeild said: "Tanya deserves all our appreciation, credit and recognition for her achievement. Both the BridLit and the Beaminster Music Festival have transformed the life of Bridport, Beaminster and the surrounding areas by bringing not only culture but also business prosperity and a new awareness of the beauties of west Dorset to its residents and many visitors.

"We look forward to many more years of BridLit under Tanya's direction. In the meantime, it give me immense pleasure and joy to present Tanya Bruce-Lockhart with a High Sheriff's Award for her amazing contribution to the life and vitality of the community that is west Dorset."

Wednesday's events also featured best-selling nature writer Raynor Winn, talking about her new book, Wild Silence. The day ended with a lively and entertaining conversation between author Robert McCrum and local writer Jason Webster about Robert's new book, Shakespearean, and how the poet and playwright's work is every bit as current today.