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Countryside Awards 2023
The CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards celebrate our beautiful, diverse and thriving countryside and those who help to cherish, support and sustain it.
Supported by
Winners announced in the Hampshire Countryside Awards
Congratulations go to the winners and finalists of the 17th Annual Hampshire Countryside Awards, announced at a special ceremony attended by over 60 guests at the Kings Somborne Village Hall on 12th December 2023.
A diverse and inspiring selection of groups and projects from across the county were showcased at the celebration event, with a film show of all the four finalists.
All 4 finalists were presented with their award certificates by Professor Joy Carter, HM Deputy-Lieutenant of Hampshire.
The four finalists were:
- The Cabin at Harmony Woods, Andover – Winner of the Sustainable Communities Award sponsored by the Newbury Building Society.
Andover Trees have been working on an ambitious project to build an off-grid, sustainable classroom and field study base at Harmony Woods, a community woodland in Andover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9MU07cbrsc&t=8s
- Popell Barns Mobile Farm, Botley – Winner of the Environmental Education Award
Popell Barns Mobile Farm visits community settings and schools with their mobile farm, complete with lots of fun and interactive activities to engage, teach and inspire people about sustainable farming and really help people understand what that looks like!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oIqsDMyEIg&t=9s
- PUPS (Pick up Poo Squad) at Ballard Water Meadows, New Milton – Winner of Grassroots Action
This group in the New Forest took action on a real blight on the countryside, dog fouling. it was amazing to read that in one poo pick up alone, volunteers had cleared 174 deposits from paths around a local beauty spot. The real success of this initiative was that they encouraged people to change their behaviours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDbLPwr1L4&t=9s
- HOOVES (Hedgerows of Ogden Valley Environment Scheme), Fordingbridge– Winner of the Landscape Award, sponsored by Hastoe Housing
HOOVES is an informal project which has brought together over 20 landowners in the Ogden’s Valley, near Fordingbridge in the New Forest. It has been set up to support and enhance biodiversity of the Ogden Valley with a focus on hedgerow management.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDbLPwr1L4&t=9s
The Hampshire’s Choice Award gave the public the chance to vote for their favorite project out of the list of Finalists.
CPRE Hampshire Operations Manager, Alison Talbot said: ‘Almost 48% of the votes that were cast voted for the winning project, which demonstrates the incredible concern for keeping our Countryside free from the blight of dog fouling. We are delighted to announce that the 2023 Hampshire’s Choice Award Winner was the Ballard Water Meadows, PUPS project.
Mandy Hayes, the co-ordinator of the PUPS project was delighted to receive the award, acknowledging that dog fouling is an issue that provokes strong reactions. The group announced their intention to share the £500 prize money with the other finalists.
Mandy Hayes described what the Hampshire’s Choice Award meant to their group: ‘Having CPRE publicly acknowledge the work of the PUPS project at the Awards event represents the highlight for many of hours of work over the past 18 months by our volunteers and the New Milton community. The PUPS are absolutely thrilled to have won this award’.
Margaret Paren, Chair of CPRE Hampshire said, ‘The Countryside Awards are always a high point in our calendar at CPRE Hampshire and today was no exception. Every finalist is a winner in our eyes, for the contribution they make to their communities and the rich tapestry that is the Hampshire countryside. Heartfelt thanks to our volunteers and sponsors, Hampshire County Council Rural Communities Fund, Hastoe Housing and the Newbury Building Society without whom these awards could not happen’.
The Grassroots Action Award
2023 Winners PUPS project at Ballard Water Meadows
This award is to celebrate people taking action on a countryside issue that is relevant to their immediate or local area.
Could include projects such as: hands-on conservation and/or restoration, energy conservation, litter or anti-pollution initiatives, recycling, species monitoring or climate change.
Who could apply: anyone working within the community such as individuals, businesses, nature or environmental groups, conservation volunteers, parish councils, local societies etc.
The Landscape Award
2023 winners HOOVES project
Sponsored by
This award is for any initiative, large or small, that utilises or protects countryside features whilst enhancing our beautiful countryside or green spaces.
Could include projects such as: Nature conservation, repurposing derelict land, community gardens or managing public spaces for biodiversity. For example, churchyards, ponds, orchards, amenity grassland, meadow, parks, verges and rewilding farmland.
Who could apply: Conservation groups, farmers, land owners, wildlife trusts, charities, parish councils or community groups.
The Environmental Education Award
2023 Winners Popell Barns Mobile Farm
This award is to celebrate projects, schemes or initiatives that connect people to the countryside through teaching and learning.
Could include projects such as: action days and action groups, work with schools or young people, educational initiatives or career incentive schemes and/or new research or innovative schemes.
Who could apply: Anyone still in education, young people, schools, colleges, universities, schools, universities, students, youth or study groups.
The Sustainable Communities Award
Sponsored by
2023 Winners The Cabin at Harmony Woods by Andover Trees
This award is for any development, scheme or project that actively works to implement a sustainable approach.
Could include projects such as: development of buildings, infrastructure, facilities or landscape in rural or urban areas.
Who could apply: Community enterprises, local housing associations, local authorities, private businesses rural housing businesses, rural businesses and producers, architects, developers, landscape designers and renewable energy companies.
The PUPS project at Ballard Water Meadow , winners of the Hampshire Choice Award 2023
As always, a heartfelt thanks to our wonderful sponsors for all their support with the Countryside Awards 2023. Without them the awards would not have been able to run.
If you would like to know more about sponsorship, nominations or any further information on the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards or would be interesting in sponsoring the awards in 2024, please email opsmanager@cprehampshire.org.uk or telephone 01962 797312.
