Norwich Eco Awards - certificate

Last night I went to Norwich Eco Awards at City Hall in Norwich with two friends from the Grapes Hill Community Garden. This is the fourth year of the awards, which recognise businesses, individuals, schools and community groups making Norwich a more eco-friendly place.

An award of “eco hero” is chosen from all the entries received, which “recognises the hard work of an individual or group towards making Norwich a cleaner and safer place in which to live and work” (see Norwich City Council website).

We started the evening with a buffet of local food and then went into the council chamber, where Chris Higgins (Sheriff of Norwich and landlord of the great Trafford Arms pub) presented the awards.

Community group awards were the last award category. The overall winner was a very deserving African community growing initiative based on Bluebell South allotments, the Ray of Hope – Youth Horticultural Skills Training Project. Grapes Hill Community Garden received a commendation.

Then it was time for the Eco Hero award – and I won, for my work at Grapes Hill Community Garden, The Belvedere Centre and other projects I’m involved in, such as Norfolk Master Gardeners. I’m thrilled to have received the award and I now have a glass trophy made from recycled green glass by Langham Glass.

However, it’s important to remember that projects such as Grapes Hill Community Garden and the improvements at The Belvedere Centre come about because of the efforts of all supporters for all the work that has been done, submitting grant applications, helping with events, planting and then tending the garden, unlocking and locking the gates, providing food … – the list is nearly endless.

Read all about the award winners on the Norwich City Council website.