CPRE Sussex announces Countryside Awards 2020 winners

CPRE Sussex honoured the county’s countryside heroes at its first ever virtual awards ceremony held on Zoom on 14 October.

The competition judges, Lady Egremont, Dr Geoffrey Mead, Margaret Moore and Dr Tony Whitbread made the virtual presentations to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in three categories:

Empowering Communities Award  

Recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution towards conservation, biodiversity or climate change. The winner of this award was decided by a public online vote.

The winner Ben Cross of Crosslands Flower Nursery (Walberton, West Sussex) was  presented with The Peter Brandon Award.

Runners-up:

Isabella Tree for rewilding and conservation projects

Phil Belden, a conservation and environmental champion

Connecting People and the Countryside Award

Recognising community groups, local enterprises and schools whose projects and initiatives contribute to enhancing and protecting the countryside and encourage engagement with the natural world.

Gold awards and Lockdown Hero Awards:

Fittleworth Community Shop

Ninfield Village Stores & Post Office

Gold Awards:

The Eco, Young & Engaged (EYE) Project

South Downs National Park Authority Farm Groups – Meet the Farmer Project

Promoting Nature and the Countryside Award

Recognising community groups and enterprises with inspiring projects and initiatives that contribute towards a sustainable rural community and thriving countryside.

Gold Awards:

Ecological Land Cooperative’s new farms at Arlington, East Sussex

Sussex Green Living Network

Read:

– about the ceremony and awards: Press Release – CPRE Sussex Countryside Awards 2020

– full list of awards in each category: CPRE Sussex Countryside Awards Winners 2020