Countryside conservation charity, CPRE Hampshire (the Campaign to Protect Rural England) launched this year’s Countryside Awards on 22nd March at Braishfield Pantry near Romsey, a community shop and café and a finalist in 2016.
Now in their 11th year, the Countryside Awards celebrate a beautiful and thriving Hampshire countryside that everyone can value and enjoy.
CPRE Hampshire Chairman, Dee Haas said: “The Countryside Awards are here to highlight good practice within rural communities and in the wider countryside. We welcome entries from a wide variety of projects in our four categories and I am excited to see who applies this year.
Every year we are inspired by the work of community or youth groups and the tenacity of small businesses or the beauty of sustainable buildings".
Gemma Lacey, Director, Sustainability and Communications for The Southern Cooperative said: “Active and genuine involvement in our local communities is part of The Southern Co-operative’s way of working, so we are delighted to be both lead sponsor and sponsor of the Community and Voluntary category for the third year.”
The other individual award sponsors are Steve’s Leaves – Young People, new sponsor Hildon - Rural Enterprise, and new sponsor the Hastoe Group – Sustainable Buildings.
The Countryside Awards are open for entries until 30th June 2017. For details and to enter online visit www.cprehampshire.org.uk or contact 01962 841897. This year’s winners will be announced by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire at a ceremony in September.