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We have announced the shortlist for our first-ever Open Space Award. Those in the running are: The Bishop’s Meadow Trust at Farnham in Surrey, Full Frontal in Medway, the Our Green Space Project in Cumbria, and Royd Regeneration in Mytholmroyd, Calderdale.
The society was delighted with the response to its request for nominations for the Open Space Award. The judges were impressed with the effort and commitment that so many people give to their local open spaces. The judges will be visiting the four shortlisted projects over the next few weeks. The winner will be announced at the society’s AGM in London on 10 July.
Tim Crowther, chairman of the Open Spaces Society’s trustees and a member of the judging panel, said:
‘The judges were looking for: support for the society’s objectives, to create and conserve open spaces in town and country; ‘bottom-up’ rather than ‘top-down’ activity; the long-term security of the benefit provided; the extent to which the aims of the activity have been achieved; and endeavours which are over and above statutory requirements.
‘All the nominations showed evidence of these criteria to some degree. The schemes we have shortlisted are all very different. We, the judges, are really looking forward to visiting the sites and meeting those inspired people who have driven the projects forward.
‘To be honest, the entries we didn’t shortlist were also inspirational. There’s a lot of good work going on around the country and we’ll be highlighting these projects and sharing their great stories on our website,’ Tim concluded.
In more detail, the shortlisted projects are:
The Bishop’s Meadow Trust, Farnham, Surrey
This group in Farnham has set up a charity to buy a local meadow which is important to them so that it can be kept for future generations to enjoy. Find out more about it here.
Full Frontal, Medway
This project aims to improve the environment for everyone to benefit. It operates in several communities in Medway. Find out more here.
Our Green Space Project, Cumbria
This was a major project involving five different sites across Cumbria. It involved training and supporting the five communities to develop their green spaces and make better use of them. Find out more here.
Royd Regeneration, Mytholmroyd, Calderdale
This project involved the extension and re-generation of a neglected memorial park. Find out more here.