Environment Awards Presentation 2002

9 July 2002

The greenest schools, businesses, community groups and buildings in North Norfolk are recognised this week (Thursday 11 July), with the presentation of the North Norfolk Environment Awards.

The media are welcome to attend the event, which is to be held at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park, near Fakenham, at 2.30pm on Thursday, 11 July.

The annual awards, which have been running since 1994, when the scheme was launched by Dr David Bellamy, are given to encourage groups or individuals in their work to protect or improve the environment in line with Local Agenda 21.

The awards will be presented by NNDC's Vice-Chairman, Councillor Anne Rose. They are given in five categories, and this year's entrants are listed below:

SCHOOLS
Category supported by the North Norfolk News and Dereham and Fakenham Times
Judges: Terry Redhead, Archant Weeklies Editor, David Holmes, Director of How Hill Trust environmental study centre, and Councillor Roy Banham.

Colby School:
The school has converted old sheds into a field study centre, which incorporates energy-saving features, and has vegetable gardens, a chicken run, and food composting and paper recycling facilities.

Swanton Abbott Primary School:
Parents have helped improve the school grounds, planting a sensory garden and wild flower bank, and the school has paper collecting, shredding and recycling facilities.

North Walsham County Junior School:
The school has improved the wildlife habitats in its grounds (including planting schemes), undertaken waste reduction and recycling activities, and conducted a noise survey leading to noise reduction work and the development of a 'quiet area'.

Sidestrand Hall:
The school grounds are used to help the pupils understand the principles behind waste reduction, food origins and the interrelation between plants and animals. Recycled materials are used in art projects.

COMMUNITY
Judges: David Holmes and Councillor Roy Banham.

Aldborough Green Conservation Area:
The parish council has resolved the problem of a wet area of the village green by creating a wildlife habitat, planting grasses and wildflowers, with new trees to take up water. Mown pathways allow pleasant walks through.

Rectory Meadow Project, Trunch:
Meadow land has been bought for an extension of the village cemetary, and has been developed into a nature reserve to encourage wildlife and make it more attractive to visitors.

LARGE BUSINESS
Judges: Jane Oliver from the Women's Enterprise, Employment and Training Unit and Councillor Roy Haynes.

Shell UK Exploration and Production:
A new biotreatment system for decontaminating water pumped up with gas has been introduced at Bacton, following consultation with local people. The system cuts down the smell of gas around the plant.

PSS Steering and Hydraulics Division:
This company refurbishes steering parts from old vehicles, so they can be reused in buses and other vehicles still on the road. The process has less of an environmental impact than manufacturing new parts, and reduces waste.

Wells Field Study Centre:
This busIness has an eco-trail drawing attention to energy conservation measures. Practical actions include a comprehensive waste system (including a 'can of worms') and reminders to change habits which also result in cost-saving.

SMALL BUSINESS
Judges: Jane Oliver, Enterprise Development Officer with the Women's Enterprise, Employment and Training Unit (WEETU) and Councillor Roy Haynes.

The Cobbler's Guest House:
The owners apply green principles throughout, by recycling paper, and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products, local produce, Fairtrade goods and a renewable energy supplier. They also provide guests with information about local biodiversity and habitats and green transport.

Blakeney Point Sailing School:
The business offers powerboat instruction, but ensures that consideration is given to wildlife and that customers take a greener view of the sport. Quiet four-stroke engines are used, and good environmental practice is applied in the office.

BUILDINGS
Judges: Norfolk-based green architect Neil Winder and Councillor Judy Fathers.

Small Hopes Farm, Briston:
This farmhouse has been renovated with the inclusion of energy-generating and energy-saving features, such as solar panels for year-round hot water, and an underfloor heating system, plus the use of earth-based plaster.

The Homeopathic Supply Company Ltd:
A shed has been renovated to become new workspace, with high-insulating walls and windows, organic paints, good use of natural and low-energy lighting, reclaimed or locally-sourced timber, and a condensing boiler.

12 Jolly Sailors Yard, Wells-next-the-Sea:
This family home has been refurbished using timber from a sustainable source, sheep wool insulation and organic paints, avoiding PVC, and with low-energy kitchen appliances and lighting and solar panels for energy and water heating.

Ralph's, Plumstead:
This new-build family home uses natural and recycled material wherever possible, such as crushed rubble, railway sleepers, renewably-sourced timber and newspaper insulation. The building makes the best use of natural light, and some rooms act as natural heat-collection areas.

The Large Business category winner will receive a trophy made by pupils at Sidestrand Hall using recycled materials, including old copies of the North Norfolk News and Dereham and Fakenham Times - sponsors of the School category. Other category winners will receive £250, and runners-up will receive £50.

NNDC Environmental and Green Build Consultant Frances Francis said: "There have been some very interesting entries this year, from people's personal efforts to 'go green', to a major engineering project by a branch of a multinational company.

"It has been particularly encouraging to see such a strong group of green buildings, when the building category was only added two years ago."

Related Link: The Environment Awards