Recognition Awards

This long-running annual competition is held during the summer months and recognises the efforts of the local community in enhancing the local landscape and providing us with a quality environment.

The categories represent all members of the community covering all age ranges, and includes traditional entries, such as Best Front Garden and Best Frontage of a Commercial Property, alongside more recent additions including Best Environmental Garden and Best Community Project.

Contact your local authority to find out how your village or organisation can participate.

Set up in memory of Dorothy Morley who lived in West Berkshire and was a strong campaigner on rural issues this biennial award is run jointly by BBOWT, the Local Wildlife Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. It aims to recognise projects that have made positive improvements for local wildlife and the community.

Dorothy Morley Award 2006 - Cash prizes available for conservation/environmental projects within Berkshire. Two categories - Community Groups and School Grounds.

1) School Ground Category - First Prize £200; Second Prize £150 (Deadline for entries is 30 April 2006)

2) Community Category - First Prize £500, Second prize £250 (Dealine for entries is 31 May 2006)

Please contact Teresa Verney-Brookes, Community Wildlife Officer for Berkshire, for more details and an application form.

Email: berkshireoffice@bbowt.org.uk

Tel: 01628 829 574

Secondary schools students in West Berkshire have been taking part in a 'real' business challenge set by organisations in the Food & Farming Industry. It is project based and aims to encourage a greater understanding of food production and the countryside.

The Food & Farming Challenge has been organised by West Berkshire Environment Business Partnership and sponsored by Newbury & District Agricultural Society for the past few years and has proved to been extremely valuable to students and schools. It can be approached from many different curriculum angles; from science or business studies to art or food technology. Students gain new skills in time management, communication, organisation and research. They have a precious opportunity to practically apply the skills learnt in school to a relevant business led challenge.

Further information contact Amanda Richards on 01635 277480 Fax 01635 279915, e-mail amandar@wbebp.co.uk or visit the West Berkshire Business Environment Partnership website www.wbebp.co.uk

This award aims to reward schools that help wildlife in their grounds. Schools should apply for an education pack from the Local Wildlife Trust. Judges will be looking at who has been involved in the work and how the area is now used by the school. Deadline for entries around mid June.

The Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice are run by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-profitmaking, non-political and non-activist environment group with the main aim of recognising, rewarding and promoting the positive side of environmental endeavour. Now in its sixth year the categories cover Local authorities, Commerce and Industry, Waste Management, Print, Packaging and Green Transport.

West Berkshire Council won the Green Apple Award in 2000 for heathland restoration at Greenham Common. In 1997 the open area of the former Greenham airbase was acquired for public use and enjoyment. This area, owned by the Council, now forms part of Greenham and Crookham Commons and is a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) containing rare and fragile heathland habitat.

Applicants need to register interest before the end of February with judging taking place in mid summer. Full information and details of past winners contact The Green Organisation, The Mill House, Mill Lane, Earls Barton, Northampton NN6 0NR Tel/Fax 01604 810507.