Planting Places Awards
PLANTING PLACES AWARDS 2010 – WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
The following ten greenspaces have been named as this year's Planting Places awards winners. Congratulations to everyone involved, and many thanks to the judges (from Arup, Natural England and NHS South West).
Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park, Highbridge, Somerset
Apex Park was the only location within Somerset to be named as a winner. Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park is a 42 acre site which lies between the towns of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge located next to the Bridgwater Bay estuary, which is recognised as a site of international importance for nature conservation.
Apex Park was once used as a clay digging areas and this is how the lakes were formed. At the centre of the park the clay digging works have been conserved and extended to provide an attractive three and a half hectare lake with reed fringed banks providing a natural habitat for protected and notable birds. The park attracts thousands of visitors each year, catering for activities ranging from model boating to dog walking and angling to ornithology. Its many habitats attract a diverse range of wildlife. The park is a safe, healthy and secure place for all members of the community to use, with good pathways for viewing the lake and car parking facilities including wheel chair access picnic tables and secure bike points.
The friends of Apex have a website if you would like to get in contact and find out more visit http://www.friendsofapexpark.co.uk/
The Chiswell Earthworks, Portland, Dorset
Chiswell Earthworks was the only location within Dorset to be named as a winner. The Chiswell Earthworks was completed in 1993. At that time it was seen as an important pioneering work, an engineering and sculptural solution to waste ground above the Sea Defenses. Renowned sculptor John Maine RA was commissioned to create the celebratory sculpture, which was designed as a series of 5 drystone walls, corresponding to the descending layers of stone found in a Portland quarry. When the work was finished, local people called it ‘the wave' because they identify it so strongly with the Chesil Beach and the sea.
In 2003, the local community got together with the sculptor and Common Ground to declare community ownership of the sculpture. The Chiswell Earthworks is a pleasant place to walk or sit, to picnic and to have cultural events in the summer. It provides a recreational space for Portland residents and at the same time enables visitors to Portland to appreciate stunning views over the Chesil Beach and Lyme Bay. As a work of art, it stimulates the imagination by interpreting Portland's industrial landscape (quarrying) and defining the island's relationship to the sea, the Chesil Beach and the mainland of Dorset.
Hayle Library Community and Wildlife Garden, Hayle, Cornwall
Hayle Library is reclaimed land situated at the rear of the library, where a garden and wildlife community space was developed to compliment the Copperhouse Pool RSPB site and to benefit the whole community.
Building the garden was truly a community effort, with people from across the community, including the Hayle Youth project and Probation service, volunteering their time. Schools, library customers, gardening groups and pensioners all take part in looking after the garden, which is a real testament of a community focus, as it is open and accessible to all and community consultations are undertaken to get feedback on the planting, upkeep and future of the garden. Locally sources materials and building techniques were used and taught to the volunteers. The garden flowers and plants were carefully chosen to be beneficial for wildlife as food and shelter.
The gardens are maintained and are constantly evolving to take into account the needs of open space and current educational purposes as well as a place for social meetings. Email hayle.library@cornwall.gov.uk for further information.
Kemble Community Gardens, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Kemble Community Gardens (KCG) was the only location within Gloucestershire to be named as a winner. KCG is a not-for profit organisation that provides a hub for local community projects whilst making a difference to the natural environment. As a group of volunteers they have turned a large area of derelict, overgrown land into orchards, 32 allotments and public gardens for community use. They aim to be "green" and work with the existing natural environment. This includes promoting the "no-dig" method (with no chemicals), rainwater harvesting (saving unnecessary mains water usage), creation of an area to attract bees (aiding the declining UK bee population) and ponds to encourage wildlife.
They encourage the local community to actively enjoy the area, and run a number of events, particularly for young people, including shelter building, mosaic making to create small paved stones for the site and vegetable carving. They also further involves local young people by having specific areas for teenagers and some vegetable beds for the local primary school. As well as an area of gardening and food growing, the gardens have become a community focal point and a place where people can get together and have a chat or BBQ with their neighbours. The Gardens have had such a positive impact that other nearby communities have visited to see how they can recreate one in their area.
Morrab Garden, Penzance, Cornwall
Originally created in 1841 this public garden is looked after by Cornwall County Council with help from the Friends of Morrab Garden. The garden is situated on the doorstep of Penzance's town centre, between the high street and the seafront promenade. The garden is free and accessible to all, from local office workers who use the garden at lunchtime, to local schools and community groups to tourist visitors who enjoy this great example of Cornish subtropical gardens. The garden is a wonderful local resource and contains everything from sweeping formal lawns with secret winding paths and woodland areas to a Victorian bandstand and wildlife ponds. Since its inception the gardeners at Morrab have been preoccupied with collecting and displaying rarities from all over the world, for example the Palm collection mostly comes from Australia, Africa, India and America.
A huge range of free events, workshops and celebrations take place in the garden throughout the year, including concerts, summer fairs and Cornish festivals, gardening advice days and even daily Falun Gong (Chinese spiritual art).
The gardens uses resources carefully with the emphasis on ‘reduce, reuse and recycle' and visitors to the garden via schools, horticultural societies and clubs are encouraged to ‘green up' their current ways of gardening and living. Email Jackie.mace@cornwall.gov.uk for more information.
Oakfrith Wood, nr Devizes, Wiltshire
Oakfrith Wood provides a much valued amenity rich in wildlife where local people and the many visitors to the area can relax in a peaceful setting. It is one of the largest remaining areas of ancient semi-woodland in the Pewsey Vale and well known throughout Wiltshire for the woods bluebells. The recently established project for the essential thinning of the Wood has enabled firewood to be supplied for the local community for wood burning stoves/fires, thus lessening the use of non-renewable fossil fuels.
The Wood is open and accessible to all, with a team of volunteers who regularly maintain the site. The Woodland also offers fantastic educational benefits to local schools and other groups, including use by the local Wildlife Trust, funded by NHS Wiltshire, to involve people with mental health difficulties in woodland skills and crafts projects. There has been a small car park built to enable disabled users to get closer to the woodlands.
The Woodland is a designated Local Nature Reserve and is used by the entire community for events and activities, including Scouts groups, fund raining events and the popular Scarecrow Festival.
Pentylands Country Park, Highworth, Wiltshire
Originally purchased as development land by the local authority in 1960 it was never developed and fell into disuse. In 2006 The Friends of Pentylands Country Park were formed, and since then the friends have cleared the Park of hundreds of tons of rubbish, installed welcome signs, constructed bridges over watercourses, embarked on a program of tree maintenance which has vastly improved the trees and initiated a rolling program of recording the fauna and flora in the Park and promoted the park in the local community. The group has a membership of 110 and the support of large numbers of the community who turn out on conservation days. By liaising with the local youth worker the park has been promoted and in the milder weather used regularly by the youth group for games, barbeques and activities including activities for the Duke of Edinborough award scheme.
Until the creation of the Park all the informal green spaces were some distance from Highworth and being on the northern edge of the borough of Swindon residents felt isolated from these amenities. Since its creation a sense of community pride and a willingness to be involved exists, and residents are proud that friends and family come to the town to visit the park.
St. Gurons Way, Bodmin, Cornwall
St Guron's Way was developed as part of the Walk to Work project, and is a multi use trail which links east and west Bodmin utilising the natural contour of the railway corridor. Just over a mile in length the ‘greenway' passes through field, railway embankment and housing, linking residential areas with the Community College, Industrial Estates and the Dragon Leisure Centre with a connection to the National Cycle Network Route 3. The route also enables access to the Beacon Local Nature Reserve.
The route has clear economic benefits for the town but the emphasis of the project has been to support disadvantaged residents facing barriers to employment, assist residents and young people on benefits to sustainably accesses employment areas, promote health and well being through active lifestyles meeting the Governments 5 x 30 agenda and improve access to the Community College, Hospital and national cycle network
Bodmin St Mary's and Bodmin St Petroc Wards form the Parish of Bodmin and both are ranked highly amongst county, regional and national indices of deprivation. Prior to the development of this project those living in St Marys Ward were geographically isolated from work locations and facilities on the east side of Bodmin. Although it is a relatively short route (just over 1 mile) in length the impact it has had on the local community has been exceptional. Its presence has increased the amount of physical activity residents take. It provides a space to travel and enjoy which clearly benefits a huge numbers of the local community. Approximately 100 school children are now twice daily users along with a growing number of commuters, residents and recreational walkers and cyclists.
For more information about St Gurons Way contact Emma Rijano at Cornwall County Council on emma.rijano@cornwall.gov.uk
Steeple Woodland, St Ives, Cornwall
Steeple Woodland, a 40 acre public space above St Ives, has been transformed by the efforts of dedicated volunteers with the backing of the local district council. Much of the rampant and invasive Rhododendron has been ripped out, returning the land to its natural state. Hundreds of new trees have been planted reduction the carbon footprint and this ecological project continues to grow from strength to strength. A pleasant afternoon can be spent on the woodland, pausing to take in the breathtaking panoramic views beyond to the sea.
Now designated a Local Nature Reserve, the woodland is a popular destination for school visits, as well as locals and visitors who enjoy walking, exercising their dogs or just taking in the fresh air. There is also a green gym founded in 2002 with BTCV and local GPs, to help people take part in fun outdoor exercise. The areas is well looked after by the local community, with very strong support from volunteers and children of all ages. Local schools having specific areas of the hillside designated to them and the Secondary School has its own tree nursery where saplings are grown to replant on the woodland. And a range of community events and activities that take place throughout the year engages the entire community and helps to build even more pride in this wonderful local place. Email Jackie.mace@cornwall.gov.uk for more information.
Young's Park Conservation Area, Paignton, Devon
Young's Park was the only location within Devon to be named as a winner. This is a neighbourhood plot popular with both local visitors, many of whom visit the park daily and tourists and visitors who come to enjoy the park in the summer months. There are a number of Nursery and Primary schools within walking distance who have enjoyed visiting the conservation area and using it as an outdoor classroom. Many elderly people in Torbay live in flats, without gardens. They now have some where close by where they can feel close to nature; no need to drive or get on public transport. People really enjoy being able to sit watching the dragonflies and damselflies darting over the water as well as the many butterflies and birds found in the area. Various styles of bird & bat boxes have been provided to encourage different species to nest in this area.
The Park Conservation area is looked after by Young's Park People, a democratic, voluntary group, dedicated to caring for, and cherishing Young's Park. The group was formed in May 2007, by park users, both local and holiday visitors and traders, who decided it was time to bring the beauty back to this historic, unique park. The group now boast over 170 members, who not only look after the park but run a series of events including coffee mornings and raffles to raise funds for plants and more interpretation boards. They also hold ‘Band in the Park' evenings during the summer months, which are free of charge and open to everyone. For more information and news and events visit http://www.ypp.me.uk/.
The Planting Places awards – recognising greenspaces that are making fantastic contributions to the sustainability of their communities – will be running for a 3rd year. The awards, coordinated by Sustainability South West, are now open to applications from any public greenspace in the South West of England. This includes everything from parks, community gardens and allotments to green routes (ie cycle paths), play spaces and even cemeteries and rooftops. The greenspace can be any size. It can be privately funded, community, conservation group, NHS Trust or council land. But it MUST be free and accessible to the public, and for public use and enjoyment.
PLANTING PLACES AWARDS 2009 - and the winners were...
Planting Places trophies were awarded to the following worthy winners in our second annual Planting Places awards:
Overall – Penhill Orchard, Swindon
Engaging the Community – Torre Churchyard, Devon
Supporting Biodiversity - Maningham Wood, Cornwall
Promoting Health & Well Being – St Neot Doorstep Green, Cornwall
Responding to Climate Change – Russell Town Avenue Community Allotment, Bristol
The standard of all the entries was extremely high, which made a difficult task for the judges! Planting Places, SSW and the judges would like to thank all the local greenspaces who entered and for all the work they are doing to support sustainable communities across our region. Please see below for more information about all of the winners!
This year's awards are supported by: the Architecture Centre, Environment Agency, Natural England, NHS South West and ARUP .
Overall Winner – Penhill Orchard, Swindon
The Penhill Orchard, planted on a disused allotment, sits right next to the Seven Fields Local Nature Reserve, Swindon. As well as providing free fruit for an area of disadvantage, it enhances the space for wildlife and provides and preserves a very pleasant place for the local community. It was set up in response to Swindon Healthy Eating group/campaign. The Orchard is entirely managed by a group made up of community residents. We lease the land from Swindon Borough Council. We have been lucky enough to win enough grants and awards to plant the Orchard and purchase tools etc. The gates are left open for anyone to walk around or through. Now the Orchard is planted, with goodwill, it will continue to grow and provide free fresh fruit – almost zero miles to pick and eat for the majority of people living in the area. There is no exciting design, it is set out like a traditional Orchard, Fruit trees and bushes were specifically chosen to give a long fruiting season and the boundaries are planted with garden type shrubs, identified as good for wildlife. People need places of peace and calm, that do not grate on the nerves, are not subject to constant change – they now can enjoy this in the Penhill Orchard too. The wildlife benefits (as do we) from it and the windfalls of fruit too.
Best Practice, Engaging the Community – Torre Churchyard, Devon
Friends of the Churchyard was formed in 2005 to rejuvenate this ancient churchyard. As our volunteers come mainly from the surrounding streets, the community has been involved from the outset. From being a "no go" area, with running fights between drunks and drug addicts, this is now a wonderful green oasis in the centre of Torquay. Residents have once more taken ownership, and now wander through with their children and dogs, stopping for a chat with their neighbours. The old sense of true community has returned. When we set up our urban meadow, Year 5 children came from our local primary to help us plant. They will be more involved with history and natural history learning packages, centred on this wonderful resource in their midst.We have carols by candlelight every December, and get involved in English Heritage Open Days. In 2008 we had a wonderful medieval day with cooking over fire pits, strolling minstrels, and a queue for the stocks! 2007 saw the 60th anniversary of the setting up of the parish memorial garden. We arranged a rededication service and invited families of those fallen servicemen from the parish who are remembered by our distinctive white crosses. Although this is a designated area of deprivation, it no longer feels like that, as everyone takes a pride in where they live.
Highly commended – Modbury Millennium Meadow, Devon and St Neot Green, Cornwall
Best Practice, Supporting Biodiversity - Maningham Wood, Cornwall
Maningham wood is a small woodland in the centre of Illogan under the leasehold and stewardship of the Illogan Parish Council. It was formally opened in October 2004 by Lady Mary Holborrow as a Community Doorstep Green following extensive works to make it accessible after many decades of neglect. The Friends of Maningham Wood group was formed to help the Illogan Parish Council steer the management of the woods as a community nature conservation initiative, and represents direct community action within the Illogan area. There is a programme of volunteer action, dealing with maintenance of the shrub beds, litter picking, keeping paths clear and managing brambles, bracken and other invasive plants which pose a threat to the local biodiversity. We hold nature appreciation activities such as nest box building, tree planting, native bulb planting, mini beast safaris and ‘nut hunts’ for seed collection - all geared to increasing awareness of the value of the wood and maintaining biodiversity. The biodiversity of the woodland is maintained by the planting of native trees and bulbs and the replacement of felled trees with saplings and nest boxes. It is managed with wildlife in mind and all felled wood remains within the woodland to provide shelter for small mammals and reptiles, and as food for invertebrates which feed the mammals and small birds. Hazel and Hawthorn have been planted to increase the autumn food sources for wildlife, and no chemicals are used within the woodland to ensure that fungi and invertebrates also thrive.
Highly commended – Modbury Millennium Meadow Devon and Torre Churchyard, Devon
Best Practice, Promoting Health & Well Being – St Neot Doorstep Green, Cornwall
St Neot Doorstep Green is the culmination of a massive community effort to turn a land and river locked meadow into a beautiful garden and performance area. Using a £60,000 Big Lottery grant from the (then) Countryside Agency and over 2,000 volunteer hours, a wooden bridge now spans the River Loveny into the garden where winding paths and a riverside boardwalk meander through grass and shrub boarders to the stone amphitheatre, the local school linking with the eastern side of the village. This project was not just about building an open space, however. The villagers of St Neot have created a centre of opportunity, right in the heart of the community, where villagers of all ages and visitors alike can relax, exercise, enjoy a concert, pass through as part of a circular village walk or en-route to school, hold a bar-b-q, weed an area of shrubbery or just sit and look at the vistas or the young people of the village on their bikes or skateboards. And it is a lasting link to the community, as the green continues to be supported by volunteers who weed and propagating plants and holding fundraising events. Without doubt, for a feeling of being at ease with the world, there is no better place and that does a power of good for the soul!
Highly Commended – Badock’s Wood, Bristol
Best Practice, Responding to Climate Change – Russell Town Avenue Community Allotment, Bristol
RTACA origins date back to 2003, having moved from its original site, via the Black Development Agency, to its present location at City Academy Bristol (CAB) on Russell Town Avenue two years ago. Consisting of six core residents, key objectives for the group are to promote RTACA, welcome new members and increase the number of visitors to the allotment. CAB students use the site exploring through practical activity such as rainwater harvesting and composting, where food comes from, self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. Prior to cultivation, drainage of the area was very poor. Now there is better uptake of water and improved soil quality. An interesting, lively space that is used for training, social events as well as growing food has been created. RTACA allows local residents to share ideas about preparing and cooking produce, whilst some have also had opportunities to develop skills in landscaping and garden construction projects. We collaborate with other local groups and contacts in sourcing recycled or organic materials, and sharing information about events such as plant/seed swaps and workshops. It's an enriching experience being outdoors, connecting with nature and discovering the seasonal impact on the plot, and also through working and learning together to achieve a common goal - producing fresh, tasty, healthy, lower mileage food! For more information email rtacommunityallotment@googlemail.com
2008'S AWARDS
The 2008 Planting Places awards celebrated and rewarded 10 brilliant examples of urban greenspaces in the region. We wanted to showcase greenspaces that are making a host of contributions to the sustainability - from supporting biodiversity and local food/energy production to improving community well-being and inclusion.Thank you very much to all the projects who entered the awards - we received nominations from a fantastic number of amazing greenspaces from across the region. We are pleased to announce the following projects as our 2008 winners (in no particular order):
1. Urban Heaths Project - Bournemouth & Poole
2. St. Werburghs City Farm (Boiling Wells) - Bristol
3. Tuckingmill Valley Park - Camborne, Cornwall
4. Weston Woods - Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset
5. Victoria Park Action Group - Bristol
6. Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve - Bradley Stoke, S Glos
7. Community Garden at Hayden Rd Allotment - Cheltenham
8. Bristol to Bath Cycle/Railway Path
9. Belmont Sensory Garden restoration - Exeter
10. Diggin' It Organic - Plymouth
Winners were presented with a specially commissioned piece of artwork for their greenspace at SSW's annual 'Local to Regional' event in Weston-super-Mare on the 6th March.
Have a look on the 'case studies' page for more information about each of the winners.
Visit the Sustainability South West Web site.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.