Ashford Receives Hero's Award - Environmental award

28/04/08 Ashford Receives Hero's Award - Environmental award

Ashford Borough Council has been recognised by a leading environmental charity in their ‘Green Heroes’ Awards. The council won the regional partnership award for their work on the innovative Singleton Environment Centre in the ancient market town of Kent.

The council-led scheme was described as one of BTCV’s most challenging and exciting projects and now has a chance to go on and win in the national awards.

Volunteers from across the Eastern, London and South East regions have been recognised as ‘Green Heroes’ by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), the UK’s leading practical conservation charity, for their achievements in improving their local environment.

The BTCV Green Hero awards recognise the huge difference that volunteers and community groups can make in looking after their local wildlife and green spaces. The winners will receive their award certificates during the charity’s ‘Spring into Action’ campaign, which takes place from 1 May – 8 June.

The regional winners will now go on to be judged in the national BTCV Green Hero awards next month, with the decision being announced at the end of May, followed by a special national awards ceremony in London on July 24.

The award-winning Green Heroes were nominated by other BTCV volunteers and staff who work alongside them. BTCV supports 300,000 volunteers with tasks varying from tree planting to dry stone walling, footpath construction to creating wildlife habitats.

BTCV project leaders provide guidance and training, and volunteers are free to work at their own pace. It is a great way to make friends, learn new skills, get some exercise and have fun, as well as looking after the environment.

Local volunteer Jenny Tippen has been nominated as Volunteer of the Year. Jenny is Chairman of the Ashford Community Woodland Group, who has actively supported the project since its inception.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for cultural and project services, said; “Ashford Borough Council is delighted to receive this award on behalf of everyone who has been involved. The Singleton Environment Centre is a special project which will bring so much to the local community and rightly deserves this award.”

Sir David Attenborough is vice president of the charity. He says, "I am proud to be a BTCV supporter because I know that 'thinking globally and acting locally' is one of the keys to our future. The wonderful thing about BTCV is that it gives people practical opportunities to get involved in looking after their local area, and this opens the door to broader environmental awareness and action.”

Tom Flood, chief executive of BTCV, said, “Every one of our regional ‘Green Heroes’ deserves recognition for the contribution they have made to the local community, and the environment around them. Why not join them next year? You can volunteer too or support the work of your local BTCV office in many other ways.”

For further details of BTCV events visit the BTCV website at www.btcv.org or call 01302 388 883.

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