Awards
CPRE Gloucestershire runs an Awards scheme to promote high standards of development and management of land
Do you know of any recently completed projects in Gloucestershire’s towns, villages and countryside which are really outstanding in their contribution to the environment or to the local community and should be specially recognised? If so, CPRE Gloucestershire would like to hear about them.
CPRE Gloucestershire Awards recognise and celebrate projects which are exemplars of good practice. Nominations for Awards are welcome from any source - community, private, voluntary sector or partnerships of organisations - but must have the approval of the owner. Projects should demonstrate sustainability, involve improvements to the environment, whether natural or built, and be visible from public places.
An independent panel of judges will review the projects nominated, based on three broad categories:
- well considered buildings – new, restored or converted;
- innovative use of natural resources, including land and water;
- projects developed by or for the local community.
Projects may cover more than one category
Examples might be:
- a community shop, recreation facility, village hall or heritage project;
- buildings which fit their setting, are good examples of sustainable construction and efficient in the use of energy;
- a new nature reserve or habitat with public access;
- a community orchard, re-establishing old varieties of fruit;
- water management projects such as wetland creation, reedbed sewage treatment, or a sustainable drainage system;
- projects that encourage access to local countryside.
All projects meeting the criteria for judging will receive the CPRE Gloucestershire Award. This comprises an attractive plaque for permanent display and certificates for the key players in each project. These are presented once a year at a special ceremony.
The CPRE Gloucestershire Awards scheme is not a competition. Rather, it is a way of recognising excellence in projects and there is no set number of Awards in any one year. The nomination form with criteria for judges can be downloaded below.
Awards recipients in 2019
Written by Local Group Web Manager: Richard Lloyd
Bells Field, Coleford – Forest of Dean District
Coleford is now the proud possessor of a splendid new 9 acre park. Designed in close consultation with the local community, this is a park for all ages with a multi-games area, a trim trail, and an amphitheatre for small theatrical and musical events. Great thought has gone into the landscaping and on enhancing biodiversity
Citation: For an ambitious project, well planned and designed for a wide variety of community activities, incorporating a flood defence scheme and enhancing biodiversity
Chesterton Obelisk Protect – Cotswold District
In a joint project between Cirencester Town Council and community groups, the setting of the Chesterton obelisk has been transformed through a carefully thought out planting scheme. An attractive walking route between the obelisk and the Roman amphitheatre has also been created. The project was designed with community input and implemented largely by volunteers
Citation: For a community planting project which designed and created an attractive, biodiverse landscape setting for public access to the Chesterton Obelisk which had become a neglected relic, obscured by vegetation
Maisemore Milestones Restoration – Tewkesbury Borough
Through the initiative of the Maisemore Local History Society, and with the help of Gloucestershire County Council and a local contractor, three milestones on the former turnpike road from Gloucester to Worcester have been recovered, carefully restored and reinstated, bringing back features of historic interest to the parish
Citation: For the restoration of the three Maisemore milestones on the historic route into Gloucester by local people giving new life to a significant local feature
St Francis, Theescombe – Stroud District
A highly imaginative building project has applied a unique design solution to the remodelling of a Cotswold stone cottage and a garage at a lower level to create an outstanding, contemporary family home which respects its setting while taking full advantage of the outstanding views from the location
Citation: For the confidence to take on a very challenging development, and produce an elegant design solution that both takes advantage of and respects its setting, creating an elegant contemporary home
Scarr Bandstand, Sling – Forest of Dean District
The Forest of Dean is renowned for its brass bands. Sling had its very own bandstand, the Scarr Bandstand, where local bands played for over 100 years but by the early 1980s it had become derelict. Led by the Friends of Scarr Bandstand, the bandstand has been restored and music performances have restarted with great success
Citation: For the reinstatement of an historical site by volunteers with a vision for community gathering, surrounded by natural forest, used by all generations
The Barn at Severn and Wye, Chaxhill – Forest of Dean District
A former agricultural building has been converted to a new public area at the Severn and Wye Smokery. On the ground floor is a fish market, chef’s larder, gift shop and café and on the floor above an open-plan restaurant. Locally-sourced materials have been used wherever possible with thoughtful detailing of the finished building and the interior fitting out
Citation: For the completion of a thoughtful and well-designed restoration of traditional farm buildings to accommodate an elegant contemporary setting for The Smokery’s new restaurant and retail activities
Westbury on Severn church spire re-shingling - Forest of Dean District
Westbury on Severn church has a free-standing tower with a spire clad in oak shingles. Last renewed in 1938, by 2008 the shingles had reached the end of their life. It has taken 10 years of tireless fund raising to get the necessary repairs completed. These were substantially more extensive than anticipated at an eventual cost of £1 million. The new shingles were locally sourced from the Forest of Dean
Citation: For the determination to complete a daunting conservation and repair project, bringing new life to this Westbury landmark, better management to the Church’s setting, and securing stronger links to the local community
The CPRE Gloucestershire Awards were launched in 2007
The full list of Award recipients from 2007 to 2019 is listed in this section.
There is also a link at the foot of this section to more detailed information and photographs of the projects
CPRE Gloucestershire Awards from 2007
Written by Local group web editor: Rachel Reeves
The CPRE Gloucestershire Awards were launched in 2007. These are our Award recipients by year.
Presented in 2008
Brockweir and Hewelsfield Community Shop
Brockworth Court Tithe Barn
Cud Hill Common, Upton St Leonards
Priory Gardens, Gloucester
Southrop Manor Barns
Presented in 2009
Court Barn Museum, Chipping Campden
Dunkirk Millponds Restoration, Nailsworth
Toddington Village Hall
Presented in 2010
The Wharf House and Over Canal Basin
Greenshop Group Headquarters, Bisley
Saintbridge Wildlife Nature Reserve
Nailsworth townscape improvements
Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint improvements
Presented in 2011
Down Ampney Village Shop
Greystones Farm Nature Reserve
Horsley 3 in 1 Project
Longborough Village Shop
Rendcomb Village Hall
Stanway Watermill
Winchcombe Flood Relief works
Presented in 2012
Wormington to Sapperton Gas Pipeline Project
Repair of Mickla Bridge
The Wallbridge Project
Day's Cottage Orchard and Orchard Skills Centre
Chedworth Roman Villa Revealed Project
Tirlebrook Barn, Pamington barn conversion reveived a commendation
Presented in 2013
Kingshill Meadow housing scheme, Cirencester
Meysey Hampton Memorial Hall
Stonesfield Close, Southrop
Churchdown Park Ponds
Presented in 2014
Applewood housing scheme, Cashes Green
Capel's Mill Canal Realignment
The Gillyflower, Elmore Court
Hartpury Village Hall and Play Area
Laurie Lee Wildlife Way
The Westonbirt Project
Presented in 2015
Coln Valley Village Hall
Horsbere Brook Flood Storage Area
Rural Innovation Centre, Harnhill
Tirley Pressure Reduction Installation
Sly's Close, Northleach
Whitecroft Railway Station
Presented in 2016
Berry Hill Community Orchard
Gloucester Services
Renishaw Innovation Centre
Reordering of St Michael and All Angels church, Tirley
Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project
The Green Shop, Frampton on Severn
Walled Garden Project, Stratford Park, Stroud
Presented in 2017
Dursley Tree House
Ham Hill Lock Restoration
Horsley Play Project
Kingswood Village Allotments
Little Pinnolds Holdiday Cottage
Minchinhampton RFC Clubhouse
Plusterwine and Alvington Court Farm Saltmarsh Creation Project
STIHL Treetop Walkway
Stoke Orchard Community Centre
Vegetable Matters Farm Shop
