Nominations Now Open for 2009 Awards

The 2009 Countryside and Design Awards are now open for applications. The scheme, to be run annually, consists of three categories in which projects which improve the Hampshire environment can be nominated to win a CPRE award. The award categories are entitled Schools, Voluntary and Community, and Public Sector and Business.

To be eligible for nominations, projects must be within Hampshire, and have been completed within two years of the entry deadline, which is the 21st March 2009.

Scroll down for more details of the categories and criteria.

2008 Award Winners

CPRE Hampshire is proud to announce the first four winners of its Countryside and Design award, launched this year. They are:

• Portway Junior School, in Andover, for their new school garden project in the Schools category
• Bordon Junior School in East Hampshire, for their new school garden project- in the Schools category
• Futurefarms Ltd of Martin in the New Forest, for their cooperative farm and food project - in the Voluntary/ Community category
• Ballard Water Meadows, in New Milton, for their conservation work - in the Voluntary/ Community category.

Read the press release for more details.

Schools Category

For this category evidence will need to show:

• use of landscape as an opportunity for learning linked into the curriculum;
• a high level of pupil involvement;
• sensitivity to local ecology; and
• an awareness of sustainability issues.

Evidence of the following will assist:

• parent involvement
• the growing of food crops in gardens or allotments;
• management of a wildlife area;
• regular work by pupils on the project;
• the use of artwork as a learning tool;
• the use of recycled materials;
• involvement of the 5 senses; and
• the availability of disabled access.

An example of an eligible project for this category is to be found at Warren Park School in Portsmouth. Further information can be found at http://www.warrenpark.hants.sch.uk/.

Children at the Warren Park School project

Voluntary and Community Category

For this category the evidence will need to show:

• the prioritisation of environmental conservation or restoration within the rural or urban environment;
• an awareness of sustainability issues; and
• evidence of strong links to the local community.

Evidence of the following will assist:

• the involvement of volunteers from a range of social sectors and/or age groups;
• regular work on the project;
• the durability of the project; and
• local campaigning on the aims of the project.

An example of an eligible project for this category is that which has taken place at Fullers Vale Wildlife Pond. See http://www.johnowensmith.co.uk/pond/index.htm and http://www.johnowensmith.co.uk/pond/photos.htm (photos).

Public Sector and Business Category

The public sector and business category is open to business and council sector activities affecting the rural environment in Hampshire. Evidence will need to show tangible progress towards tackling one or more of the core CPRE issues. These include:

• conservation of the countryside;
• light pollution;
• loss of tranquillity;
• fly tipping;
• roadside clutter; and
• the promotion of local foods.

See our campaign pages for further details of CPRE issues. Evidence of a significant contribution to the quality of life of a local community will assist nominations. The CPRE is very much in favour of the promotion of local foods, and Hampshire Fare is a prominent organisation representing local food producers.

To submit an entry please complete a nominations form (Word document) and either email it to admin@cprehampshire.org.uk or post it to:
Beaconsfield House
Andover Road
WINCHESTER
SO22 6AT.

For convenience of print out, there are also PDF versions of the criteria listed above and the nomination form. If you require more information please call Pam Mason or Becky French on 01962 843655.

This page last updated 25th June 2008