Press Release: 4th October 2011

Winchester winners at CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards

The award being given to Otterbourne Primary School

Schools and a community initiative were among the winners and highly commended organisations at an award ceremony organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and sponsored by Steve's Leaves, held at Itchen Abbas village hall on Friday evening, 30th September.

Otterbourne Primary School in Winchester was presented with the winner's award for the schools category in the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards 2011 for the outstanding work it was doing developing its meadow to benefit its childrenss learning and for the way that the natural environment was embedded into the school curriculum.

CPRE Hampshire is proud to have the Countryside Awards sponsored by Steve's Leaves, a bunch of pioneering farmers who grow tasty, nutritious baby leaves in their nature friendly farms, where 10% of the land is dedicated to nature building special habitats to encourage wildlife. To find out more log on to www.stevesleaves.co.uk.

John Cooper, Chairman of the CPRE judging team said: "Otterbourne School showed that it has the countryside and environmental issues deeply built into the life of the school. Its dipping pond is a significant and lively part of the learning process. The Head took us to the pond, accompanied by four pupils who were bright, articulate and very enthusiastic about the pond and the rest of the woodland and meadow area. The school has also drawn in local youth organisations and has volunteer support from a local business. The school is also working up plans for a purpose-built 'open air classroom' at the edge of its meadow."

The King's School, Winchester was awarded a 'highly commended' certificate for its outdoor garden. Mr Cooper said: "This project came across very well with enthusiasm from the teachers and very good use of the limited land for an allotment club, wheel-chair access to raised beds and a greenhouse. There are plans to use the allotment as a basis for a small school business. We were particularly pleased to see a large, comprehensive school using the vegetable and fruit growing to develop skills across the curriculum."

Halterworth Primary School, Romsey was highly commended for the way that the childrens' enthusiasm for growing vegetables had been used to good effect across much of the curriculum.

In the Voluntary and Community category the winner was the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers for its teams of volunteers working to conserve stretches of endangered coastline and heath on Hayling Island. Soberton's Parish Plan was highly commended in this category.

Under the Rural Enterprise category there were applications from the Jenkyn Place Vineyard with its quality sparkling wine, the Radian Housing Association for its pioneering work in fitting older houses with state of the art energy conservation systems; the Bicycle Recycling Company from Winchester, dedicated to getting more people cycling; and KJM Windows and Conservatories for fitting widows of 80% recycled material. The winner was Hampshire Cheeses of Herriard near Basingstoke. The company had impressed the judges with the quality of its prize winning product, its use of local milk and local labour and the way it had refurbished a derelict cattle barn into a modern hygienic plant.

On behalf of the judges John Cooper praised all the applicants for the quality of their contributions to the Hampshire community. It was encouraging to see the level of interest in the Awards Scheme and he hoped that other organisations across the County would be encouraged to participate next year.

- Ends -

CPRE/H/221

Notes to editors

The shortlisted organisations are:
Beach Wardens - Hayling Island
Peterfield Design Statement - Petersfield
Bike Recycling - Bishop's Waltham
Halterworth School - Romsey
Jenkyn Vineyard - Bentley near Farnham
King's School - Winchester
Otterbourne School - Winchester
PVC Windows - Bishop's Waltham
Radian Retrofit - Petersfield
Soberton Parish Council - Soberton
Tunworth Cheese - Basingstoke.
Steve's Leaves is a brand name of Vitacress Salads Ltd. Steve's Leaves are a bunch of pioneering farmers who grow tasty, nutritious baby leaves. We do something called nature friendly farming, building special habitats to encourage wildlife. Further information can be found on www.stevesleaves.co.uk. Make friends on facebook and follow Steve's Leaves @stevesleaves on twitter.
The CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards scheme was launched in 2007 to recognise significant achievements across the county which support its goal of "a beautiful, diverse and living countryside that everyone can value and enjoy."
CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123 Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney@compege.co.uk

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Anthony McEwen, Director, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 779185 Mobile: 07717 296025
Email:anthony.mcewen@cprehampshire.org.uk