The countryside champions

CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards

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The Countryside Awards, organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire in association with Steve's Leaves, a brand of Vitacress Salads Ltd. Launched in 2007 we aim to recognise significant achievements across the county which support our goal of "standing up for the countryside". We welcome applications from all sections of the community; projects both big and small.

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The Countryside Awards are run in conjunction with Hampshire Fare, Hampshire Ambassadors and Orbis Marketing. The Rural Enterprise category is sponsored by Smiths Gore land agents and rural surveyors and the Community / Voluntary sector category is sponsored by The Southern Co-operative.

Information for Applicants

YouTube video

A video for entrants to find out about the awards can be viewed at:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6r4hfELL5k or by searching for CPRE Hampshire Awards on Youtube.

Eligibility and Criteria

Projects must be within Hampshire. They must also have been completed within three years of the closing date of application (i.e. between August 2010 - August 2013). We wish to recognise innovative rural businesses and inspirational projects involving volunteers, the community and/or young people which support our mission of "standing up for the countryside".

Categories

There are three categories, which differ slightly from year to year. The 2013 categories are:

  • Rural Enterprise (Public Sector or Commercial) - sponsored by SmithsGore land agents and rural surveyors: the qualities sought include employment of local people, promotion of local foods, conservation of the countryside
  • Voluntary / Community - sponsored by The Southern Co-operative: 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 and a high level of involvement of volunteers.
  • Young People - as well as schools this category includes 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

The guidance notes give more examples of the types of quality that are sought for each category. Information about previous award winners could also prove helpful.

Timetable

  • Closing date for applications is 13th July 2013
  • Site visits to finalists take place between August and mid-September 2013
  • Date of the awards ceremony - 27th September 2013

2012 Award Winners

The 2012 CPRE Hampshire Countryside Award winners were announced at the awards ceremony on 28th September and were presented by Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP, Lord-Lieutentant of Hampshire. The award winners are:

Wildflower Turf

Rural Enterprise Category: Wildflower Turf Ltd of Overton, in North Hampshire.

They provided the flowering turf for this year's Olympics opening ceremony. It is an excellent example of a thriving rural business that is developing and promoting a unique product with passion and enthusiasm.
www.wildflowerturf.co.uk
Buriton Chalk Pit

Voluntary and Community Category: Buriton Chalk Pit.

Once a thriving industrial site it fell into disuse and had become dangerous. With regular working parties and professional help the site is now safe, and native flora and fauna have regenerated and created a rich biodiversity including several rare species.
www.buriton.info/buriton_chalk_pits
Field to Fork Turf

Young People's Category: 'Field to Fork' by Hampshire Country Learning.

By meeting their local Farmers children and adults have learnt about food production and countryside management from the experts.
www.hampshirecountrylearning.co.uk
Andover Trees United

Special Award: Andover Trees United.

An inspirational project in linking generations of school children with the countryside through their practical work of cultivating trees in their own woodland.
www.transitiontownandover.org.uk/8.html
YouTube video (external link).

Details of the ceremony and the award winners are in the press release (1 October).

Details of projects short-listed across the county can be found in the following press releases of late September:
North - South - East - West - Central - Fleet

Earlier Awards Winners

The main 2011 Award were:

For further details plus a full list of 'highly commended' entries go to 2011 Award Winners page.

There were no awards in 2010. For details of award winners in 2008 and 2009, go to the 2008-9 Awards Winners page.


This page last updated 6th February 2013.

 
 
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