CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards 2012 was hosted on Friday 28th September. We were announced as a finalist so we had our fingers crossed!
Launched in 2007, The Countryside Awards scheme organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire in association with Steve’s Leaves and SmithsGore aims to recognise significant achievements across the county of Hampshire.
In order to qualify, winning projects must support their mission of “a beautiful, diverse and living countryside that everyone can value and enjoy”. It is one of the greatest established Awards schemes in the county, and over 20 projects have been recognised by an award to date. The judges’ backgrounds are commonly in environmental conservation, business and the community.
The three categories for 2012 are as follows:
- Rural Enterprise (Public Sector or Commercial) – the qualities sought include employment of local people, promotion of local foods, addressing climate change.
- Young People – this year extended beyond schools to other youth groups such as scouts, guides, youth offender programmes, colleges etc. for projects aimed at people up to 18 years of age. Projects might include environmental issues as an opportunity for learning, management of a wild life area, recycling.
- Voluntary / Community – this includes schemes run by parish councils, local interest or amenity groups. Projects might involve encouraging urban communities to connect with the countryside, an appreciation of the value of landscape, community anti-litter schemes.
As it turned out we were announced the winner of the CPRE Rural Enterprise 2012 Awards!! Claire and James looking very proud to be going up on stage to receive their award. And may I say, so they should be very proud (yes I know I am biased, but it is part of my job description)!!! Most definitely a very well deserved win!!!
Additionally as a result of the award, James was invited onto the BBC Radio Berkshire show on Monday 1st October, for an interview with Nicki Whiteman!
