Celebrating Hampshire’s Countryside Champions

On Tuesday 9th December, more than 50 guests gathered in Hampshire to celebrate the very best of rural life at the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards.

This annual event shines a spotlight on the people and projects that help create a beautiful, thriving countryside for everyone to enjoy.

The awards were generously sponsored by Hastoe Housing and Terrafirma, with presentations made by CPRE Hampshire President The Earl of Malmesbury at Kings Somborne Village Hall.

CPRE Hampshire Countryside Award Winners

Best Housing Solution
Recognising developments that go beyond bricks and mortar – homes that are thoughtfully designed, environmentally responsible and rooted in local needs.
Winner: Curdridge Rural Affordable Housing Scheme
This scheme of eight new affordable homes in Curdridge Parish prioritises households in housing need with a local connection. Built on a rural exception site, it delivers much-needed social rent and shared ownership homes for local people.

Green Spaces
Celebrating community-powered projects that protect, restore, and reimagine Hampshire’s green spaces.
Winner: Golden Hill Woods
Situated on the site of an old marl pit, Golden Hill Woods had been left unmanaged for years. Volunteers from Hordle Parish Council’s Golden Hill Working Party have worked tirelessly for six years to enrich and restore this woodland, creating a thriving habitat for wildlife and a welcoming space for the community.

Blue Spaces
Celebrating community-powered projects that protect, restore and reimagine Hampshire’s  water environments.
Winner: The Anton River Conservation Project
The Anton River, an important chalk stream, was in urgent need of conservation. Volunteers from The Anton River Conservation Association meet regularly to carry out practical work, improving and managing wildlife habitats along this vital waterway.

Countryside Changemaker
Recognising individuals who are making a real difference through action, advocacy and inspiration.
Winner: Angela Elder, Wildways Hursley
Angela Elder is the driving force behind Wildways, a local group dedicated to preserving habitats around Hursley village. Her self-taught ecological expertise and unwavering commitment have transformed a modest idea into a valued community initiative, inspiring collaboration with conservation groups and local schools.

Best Access to the Countryside
Celebrating outstanding efforts to make the countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming – especially in the places closest to where people live.
Joint Winner: Colden Common Permissive Path
A new permissive footpath now links Colden Common Park to the South Downs National Park, fulfilling a long-held ambition of the Parish Council and providing safe access for walkers.

Joint Winner Ropley Access Improvements
Ropley Parish Council has replaced stiles with kissing gates across its footpath network, improving accessibility for people with limited mobility and delivering on its commitment to inclusive countryside access.

This project also won the Hampshire Choice Award, decided by a public vote with over 800 participants.

“Ropley Parish Council and the Ropley footpath improvement volunteers are delighted to win the Hampshire Choice Award. Replacing over 35 stiles with gates and kissing gates on the Ropley footpath network has meant that more people can enjoy going for walks in our beautiful countryside.’’ Councillor Catherine Mitchell, Ropley Parish Council, Footpath network & communication lead

Alison Talbot, Operations Manager at CPRE Hampshire, summed up the award’s ceremony perfectly: “With the countryside under more pressure than ever, it was heartwarming to see so many volunteers, individuals and community groups come together to celebrate projects that support CPRE’s mission to protect and enhance make a real difference to the Hampshire countryside. The judges had an incredibly tough job choosing between so many outstanding entries. Every winner is deserving of recognition and we hope these awards will help shine a light on their work and the positive impact they’re having.”

Looking Ahead

Next year marks CPRE’s centenary, celebrating 100 years of championing the countryside. All of this year’s winners will go forward as nominees for the CPRE National Awards, giving these inspiring projects the chance to shine on a national stage.