news from the council
broadland announces green award winner 2006
A project which included creating a two hectare pollen and nectar meadow to attract butterflies has won a prestigious award. Woodforde Farm at Weston Longville has won this year’s Green Award from Broadland Council. The Award is made every two years and is awarded to the project which gives the most positive community benefit to an area of public open space.
The work for the winning project was undertaken by local farmer Anthony Thomas under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Wide tracks alongside fields were laid to grass giving public access and allowing wild flower species and wildlife of all types to flourish. Old ponds have been cleared and new ones created. The scheme links existing public footpaths with a wildlife friendly series of paths and includes an avenue planted to mark the Millennium consisting of both native hardwoods and flowering cherries. The scheme makes it possible to walk round the parish without using more dangerous roads.
Cllr Brian Iles, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Conservation said “This project really impressed the Awards Panel who were was struck by the commitment and dedication shown. The panel was also encouraged by the continuing work to improve the environment and ecological habitat. It was felt that the works and the tree planting provided a valuable legacy for the future.”
Cllr Peter Tallowin who chaired the Awards Panel said “All of the short-listed projects were of a very high standard and really delivered projects that protected the environment and provided opportunities for the community to have access and to enjoy nature. All those involved in bringing the short-listed projects about are to be applauded for their commitment to the environment and to their communities and visitors. We had a very difficult job in choosing just 3 clear winners, but the awards are richly deserved.”
Spixworth First School received a Certificate of High Commendation. The judges were impressed by the knowledge and commitment of the children in preserving and improving their environment. The panel thought the children were a credit to their school and the District. Their project included improving a wild area with a pond, marsh with native marsh plants, native woodland and wildflowers planted and a living willow ‘Tepee’ for Reception children to play in and a dome and three tunnelled living willow structure for children to play ‘through’.
The school has also become an ‘RSPB Bird Friendly School with several bird feeders and on of the windows in one of the classrooms converted to a bird hide.
A Certificate of Commendation was awarded to Salhouse Broad. Salhouse Broad is run by the community group Friends of Salhouse Broad (FOSB) Management Committee and by a Countryside Ranger.
They cleared unwanted greenery that had invaded the area; created a play area for young visitors and the path leading to the Broad has been improved. Other activities included the training of volunteer guides, bird watching walks, an electric boat day, summer barbecues, educational days with local schools and the creation of new play spaces. The project was funded by ploughing back mooring fees and by fund raising events such as a summer fun day, which raised £360.. A living Spaces Boardwalk is nearing completion providing a 100m route to the community play area opened last August. The Awards Panel thought this made a very valuable contribution to the natural environment within the District.
The following projects received Certificates of Merit:
- Ghost Hill Wood, Taverham
- Woodland Walk, Horsham St Faiths
- St Peter’s Church, Spixworth
- Children’s Play area, Postwick
Cllr Brian Iles, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Conservation said “I was impressed by the quality of the entrants for this year's Green Awards and enjoyed seeing the results of all the hard work and effort that went into bringing them about. It is reassuring to know that the citizens of Broadland are committed to improving and enhancing their environment and preserving something for future generations. The Planning and Conservation service at Broadland is proud to be associated with such hard work and is delighted to be able to recognise such efforts through the Green Award."
Released on 31/05/2006
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