There’s been double delight for conservationists as a rewilding project in an East Hampshire parish has claimed a top rural award.
The Blacknest Fields Nature Recovery Project took the top prize and triumphed in another category at the recent CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards.
And there was also a victory for two other local initiatives with the Alton In Bloom Community Grow Club and Energise South Downs also claiming titles at the showpiece event in Kings Somborne.
More than 50 people gathered for a ceremony that celebrated the “remarkable individuals and organisations that help the Hampshire countryside to thrive”.
Projects which address climate change, celebrate and restore our protected landscapes, and promote grassroots community involvement were among the final four shortlisted.
The Blacknest Fields Nature Recovery Project was the big winner as the scheme recognised for its “outstanding contribution to nature recovery in the South Downs National Park” won The Hampshire Choice award following a public vote.
The “excellent project” has transformed an eight-acre Binsted Parish Council-owned site near The Jolly Farmer into a flourishing wildlife haven.
New hedges and a community orchard have been created, providing habitats for pollinators and other wildlife, in a scheme that will benefit local flora and fauna and have a listing impact on biodiversity.
The scheme also won the Hampshire Projects in Protected Landscape Award, sponsored by Terrafirma, with Sarah Womersley and fellow group members revelling in the accolade.
She said: “We are delighted to receive this award as it recognises all the huge community effort that has gone into the project.
“Blacknest Fields is such a special place and has brought the community together to care for it for future generations.”
The Alton In Bloom Community Grow Club picked up the Hampshire Grassroots Action Award with judges lauding the “multigenerational community group” for enriching the town, environment and wildlife while promoting homegrown fruit and flowers.
“We are delighted the achievements of our volunteers and town council officers have been recognised with this award,” said Alton town mayor, Cllr Annette Eyre.
“We hope their hard work and dedication to make our town a better place for the community, environment and wildlife will encourage more residents to come along next year when the Grow Club starts up again next spring.”
The Hampshire Climate Action Award went to the Future Energy Landscape Workshops held by Energise South Downs which have explored how communities might use renewable energy technologies to meet local needs.
Workshops, which have taken place in the likes of Liss, Petersfield, South Harting and around the Meon Valley, have seen villagers identify potential sites for renewables.
“The climate crisis needs solutions at a local level and central to this is helping people understand the types of renewable energy available and their impact,” said a spokesperson for award sponsor, Hastoe Housing.
“Equally important is finding and ageing on suitable sites, so the importance of these workshops cannot be overstated.”
Nominees were congratulated by CPRE chair, Margaret Paren while the group’s president, the Earl of Malmesbury, presented finalists with award certificates.