Environment Awards Winners Brochure 2016

County Durham Environment Partnership

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This year’s winning entries

Contents

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 County Durham Environment Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Awards and Commendations:

Built environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Climate change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Community partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Craftsmanship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Greener business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Natural environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Places and spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

Schools and colleges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Volunteer group of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Volunteer of the year - under 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Volunteer of the year - over 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Outstanding Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Environment Awards 2016 are supported by:

www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk/envawards 2

Foreword

Now in their 27th year the Environment Awards continue to attract a high calibre of entries, they are now well and truly part of the County Durham annual events calendar.

As the push for good design based on sustainable principles continues at a national level we are pleased that County Durham continues to produce schemes of great quality and innovation, as well as getting to the heart of communities and encouraging partnership working to make a difference for everyone. The number of community and volunteer led schemes continues to grow reflecting new and imaginative ways of delivering improvements affecting people’s lives.

The range and ambition of the schemes submitted reflects the dedication and skill of those involved. The Awards continue to be a unique opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements and commitment that people make to caring for their neighbourhoods, environment and individual communities.

Congratulations to the category winners and highly commended projects and thanks to everyone involved in the Environment Awards 2016.

Simon Henig Chair, County Durham Partnership

Terry Collins Chair, Environment Partnership

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About the County Durham Environment Partnership

The Environment Partnership aims to develop innovative approaches to addressing environmental issues across County Durham, pooling collective resource and sharing best practice.

The strength of the partnership lies in its ability to engage with, and harness, the commitment of communities and key organisations to work together to both improve the natural and built environment through enhancing existing assets, and to engender behavioural change in businesses and neighbourhoods to consider the environmental impact of their actions.

Our vision is for an altogether greener Durham which makes efficient use of energy resources, has built resilience to extreme weather events, protects its natural assets for all to enjoy and conserves and makes best use of its heritage.

We are working towards the following objectives: l Deliver a cleaner, more attractive and sustainable environment. l Maximise the value and benefits of Durham’s natural environment. l Reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change. l Promote sustainable design and protect Durham’s heritage. www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk/article/8518/Environment-Partnership

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Built environment Covering complete new builds and extensions to commercial or residential buildings, which enhance or improve their surrounding streetscene or local environment. Paving and lighting schemes are also accepted.

Successful schemes: l respond appropriately to local and national policies l fit their setting in terms of design, scale, massing and use of materials l exceed statutory requirements.

Category Winner

Wharton Park Restoration Durham City

For the outstanding quality of the restoration and improvement of Wharton Park.

Entrant: Durham County Council Parks and Countryside Service

www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark

Durham Crematorium Refurbishment Durham City

Highly Commended

For the sensitive restoration and development of Durham Crematorium.

Entrant: Building & Facilities Maintenance, Durham County Council www.durhamcrem.co.uk

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Built environment Highly Commended

Middle Mown Meadows Farm Crook

For the valuable contribution the development of Middle Mown Meadows Farm has made to the local environment.

Entrant: John Taylor Architects Ltd

St Michael and All Angels Church

Highly Commended

Bishop Middleham

For the sensitive alteration of the listed building and enhancement of the visitor experience.

Entrant: Beaumont Brown Architects

www.beaumontbrownarchitects.co.uk

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Climate change Rewarding groups and individuals carrying out schemes which maximise energy efficiency, minimise energy use and have adopted renewable energy sources. Projects which address the wider issues of climate change in an innovative way will also be considered.

Successful schemes: l illustrate the benefits in terms of climate change mitigation measures l are examples from which others can learn.

Category Winner

School Carbon Reduction Programme County Durham

For the outstanding contribution to the reduction of school energy consumption and the advancement of education.

Entrant: North East Environment Network (Trading as OASES)

www.oasesnortheast.org.uk/index.php/funded-programmes/ current-programmes/school-carbon-reduction-programme

New University Data Centre Durham City

Highly Commended

For the challenging targets set and the innovative use of technologies to optimise performance and minimise impact.

Entrant: Durham University

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Community partnership

supported by

Presented to schemes which demonstrate how a partnership approach has achieved much more than a single organisation could have done alone.

Submissions to other categories which have been delivered through this approach will automatically be considered for this award.

Successful schemes: l are judged to inspire others to work collaboratively l demonstrate an ongoing benefit to the community.

Category Winner

Heart of Teesdale Teesdale

For the outstanding contribution to the improvement of the quality and understanding of the natural and built environment of Teesdale.

Entrant: Heart of Teesdale

www.heartofteesdale.net

‘Reach for the Beach’ Coastal Festival Heritage Coastline

Category Winner

For the exemplary use of partnership delivery to advance the understanding, enjoyment and use of the local environment.

Entrant: Heritage Coast Partnership www.durhamheritagecoast.org

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Community partnership Highly Commended

Big Spring Clean County Durham

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment and for longstanding community wide commitment to the project.

Entrant: Environment Agency

www.durham.gov.uk/bigspringclean

Esh Winning Miners’ Memorial Esh Winning

Highly Commended

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment and celebrating the heritage of County Durham.

Entrant: Councillor Jean Chaplow

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Craftsmanship Encouraging the continuation and development of traditional skills such as joinery, stonemasonry and signwriting.

Successful schemes: l demonstrate skilful craftsmanship using traditional materials l

Category Winner

show how the work has contributed to the long term preservation of the building or structure.

Auckland Castle Wall Restoration Bishop Auckland

For the outstanding contribution to the advancement of the understanding of traditional crafts and the built environment of County Durham.

Entrant: Team Force Restoration Ltd www.team-force.co.uk

Highly Commended

St Mary Magdalene Church Trimdon Village

For the quality of workmanship using traditional techniques and materials and the contribution the work has made to the surrounding conservation area.

Entrant: Beaumont Brown Architects

www.beaumontbrownarchitects.co.uk

War Memorial Refurbishment

Leadgate, Iveston, Hamsterley, Medomsley

Highly Commended

For the quality of workmanship using traditional techniques and materials and the contribution the work has made to the local communities and the environment.

Entrant: Building & Facilities Maintenance, Durham County Council

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Greener business Acknowledging businesses which support their communities in maintaining a clean environment. Only businesses operating in County Durham will be eligible.

Companies with numerous branches must be site specific.

Successful schemes: l demonstrate good practice in environmental matters l exceed statutory requirements l demonstrate they have worked with communities to create a cleaner environment.

Category Winner

Doe Park Caravan Park Cotherstone

For the outstanding business practices adopted to promote and enhance the local environment.

Entrant: Doe Park Caravan Park

www.doepark.co.uk

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Natural environment Rewarding schemes that conserve natural areas of existing high quality, restore existing natural areas to their full potential or create new habitats that enhance biodiversity interest.

Successful schemes: l make a significant positive contribution to the range and extent of species and habitats in County Durham l l

display an understanding of the context in which they are set, reflecting local wildlife priorities

further public understanding of the importance of nature.

Category Winner

Heathland Heartlands

Annfield Plain and South Stanley

For the outstanding contribution to the improvement of the local environment in a sensitive manner.

Entrant: Durham Wildlife Trust

www.durhamwt.com/heathland-heartlands

Changing Lives Conservation Project Plawsworth

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment.

Entrant: Councillor Heather Liddle

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Highly Commended

Natural environment

Highly Commended

Kennedy’s Ponds Cotherstone

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment.

Entrant: Heart of Teesdale

www.heartofteesdale.net/project_2014/ 1281836-kennedy-s-ponds

River Deerness Restoration Project River Deerness

Highly Commended

For successfully restoring habitat connectivity throughout the Deerness catchment.

Entrant: Environment Agency www.wear-rivers-trust.org.uk/content/ deernessrestoration

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Places and spaces

supported by

This category rewards schemes which create cleaner and greener surroundings and that enable communities to focus on initiatives that are most relevant to their own needs. They include the creation of new public spaces or the regeneration of neglected areas to create vibrant new spaces for the whole community.

Successful schemes: l create a stronger sense of community l increase civic pride with people engaged in the improvement of their own community l regenerate run down areas and create safer environments l demonstrate a commitment to sustainable resource management l have a positive effect on the local economy, tourism and the health and wellbeing of the local residents and visitors.

Category Winner

Burnhope Community Garden Burnhope

For an outstanding commitment to the improvement of the quality and appearance of the local environment and for improving the lives of others.

Entrant: Durham Agency Against Crime www.daac.org.uk/index.php/projects/haggrid

Wharton Park Durham City

Category Winner

For the outstanding contribution to the development of local facilities and the successful partnership delivery and ongoing management.

Entrant: Durham County Council Parks and Countryside Service www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark

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Places and spaces

Highly Commended

Hallgarth Residents Ponds Project Consett

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment and quality of life of local residents.

Entrant: Lisa Wall

Paths for All

Highly Commended

Teesdale

For the valuable contribution to the improvement of access to the Teesdale landscape in an imaginative manner.

Entrant: Heart of Teesdale

www.heartofteesdale.net/project_2014/1281823-pathsfor-all-people

Highly Commended

Stobillee Wetlands Langley Park

For the valuable contribution to the ongoing improvement of the local environment and quality of life of local residents.

Entrant: Langley Park Environment Group www.facebook.com/LangleyParkEnviromentGroup

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Schools and colleges

supported by

Recognising environmental initiatives within schools and colleges, such as wildlife gardens, recycling or re-use projects, transport schemes and environmental awareness programmes. Schemes where the school or college is working in partnership with the wider community are also accepted.

Successful schemes: l demonstrate a link to curriculum delivery l include links to wider benefits, or other school based environmental initiatives such as eco-schools.

Category Winner

Cotsford Community Garden Horden

For the outstanding contribution to the improvement of the local environment and community engagement.

Entrant: Cotsford Junior School

www.cotsford-jun.durham.sch.uk

Murton Ribbon Academy

Durham Coast and Denes

Category Winner

For the outstanding contribution to environmental education and pupil achievement.

Entrant: Heritage Coast Partnership www.theribbonschool.co.uk

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Schools and colleges From Wilderness to Wonderland Newton Aycliffe

Category Winner

For the outstanding contribution to the improvement of the local environment and the reduction of school waste.

Entrant: Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School www.swcps.co.uk

Category Winner

Whitworth Park STEM Club Spennymoor

For the outstanding contribution to the understanding of climate change issues and innovative delivery of education from which others could learn.

Entrant: Whitworth Park School www.whitworthpark.org.uk

Rosa Street Community Allotment Project Spennymoor

Highly Commended

Rosa Street Primary School For the valuable contribution to the improvement of the local environment and community engagement.

Entrant: Rosa Street Primary School www.rosastreet.durham.sch.uk

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Volunteer group of the year

supported by

This category recognises the contribution of a community group in delivering activities that improve and inspire the lives of others. This category is open to applicants of all ages. Self nomination is permitted in this category.

Successful groups: l consist of two or more people doing volunteering work that is an environmental service to the local community l l l l

have a local management structure

have been running for two years or more

have made a demonstrable impact on their local community

are able to demonstrate longevity in completed and future work.

Category Winner

Brusselton Incline Group Brusselton

For an outstanding volunteer commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the heritage of County Durham.

www.brusseltoninclinegroup.webs.com

Working Together Works Better Sacriston

Category Winner

For an outstanding commitment to the improvement of the quality and appearance of the local environment and for improving the lives of others.

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Volunteer group of the year

Highly Commended

Newfield and Pelton Lane Ends Residents Association Newfield and Pelton Lane Ends

For a valuable contribution to the improvement of the quality and appearance of the local environment and the continued efforts of the local community.

www.facebook.com/Newfield-Pelton-Lane-Ends-ResidentsAssociation-171413542893254

Tanfield in Bloom Tanfield

Highly Commended

For a valuable contribution to the improvement of the quality and appearance of the local environment and the continued efforts of the local community. www.tanfieldinbloom.co.uk/tanfield-in-bloom

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supported by

Volunteer of the year - under 18

Rewarding individuals who give up their time to improve the environment for the benefit of their community.

All nominees must live or volunteer in County Durham.

Self nomination is not accepted.

All nominees must be under the age of 18 on 31 October 2016.

Successful applicants: l have given outstanding service to their community by supporting a local group or delivering a volunteer service or project which improves the environment l

Category Winner

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have contributed a minimum of 10 hours to an environmental volunteer service or project between June 2015 and June 2016.

Roseberry Primary School Gardening Club Newfield

For the outstanding volunteer commitment of pupils to the improvement of their environment and the lives of others.

supported by

Volunteer of the year - over 18

Rewarding individuals who give up their time to improve the environment for the benefit of their community.

All nominees must live or volunteer in County Durham.

Self nomination is not accepted.

Successful applicants: l have given outstanding service to their community by supporting a local group or delivering a volunteer service or project which improves the environment l

have contributed a minimum of 10 hours to an environmental volunteer service or project between June 2015 and June 2016.

Category Winner

Joyce Roberts

For the outstanding volunteer commitment to development and implementation of projects to improve the environment and lives of local people.

John Longmoor

Highly Commended

For the valuable volunteer commitment to the development and implementation of local environmental improvement schemes.

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Outstanding Award The outstanding award recognises those schemes which go beyond exemplary status in their own category. They will display elements which cut across a number of categories and not only fulfil the criteria of the Environment Awards, but set an example of sustainable and environmentally friendly activity on a regional or national basis.

Outstanding awards will be given at the discretion of the judging panel.

Outstanding Award

Wharton Park Restoration Durham City

For the outstanding quality of the restoration and improvement of Wharton Park.

For the outstanding contribution to the development of local facilities and the successful partnership delivery and ongoing management.

Entrant: Durham County Council Parks and Countryside Service www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark

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