Environment Awards for those who have done their bit
4 JULY 2007
OVER 200 representatives from local businesses, schools and community groups attended Harrogate district's 2007 Best Action of the Environment (BAFTERS) Awards Ceremony on Monday, 2 July to see a showcase of some the most environmentally friendly organisations in the district get recognition for their achievements.
Organised by Harrogate Borough Council's Environmental Strategy Team, the gala awards ceremony was held at the St George Hotel where BBC Weatherman Paul Hudson presented BAFTERS to the three category winners: Bettys Craft Bakery, Holy Trinity Junior School and the Pinewoods Conservation Group.
All three organisations were praised for their outstanding work to protect and enhance the environment.
Amongst their prize-winning activities, Bettys Craft Bakery who took the Best Action for the Environment Business Award
- were praised for cutting waste by twenty five per cent.
Each year, the company composts six tonnes of Yorkshire tea bags instead of sending them to landfill.
The tea bags are used to make their famous Yorkshire tea loves.
Holy Trinity Junior School's active 'Eco Committee' of pupils and staff were commended for their work to reduce carbon emissions in school and for setting up the schools new five point Eco-Code and were awarded the overall School Award
The Community Award went to the Pinewoods Conservation Group who work voluntarily to improve access to this local beauty spot and enhance the wildlife habitat.
Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for Resources, who hosted the ceremony,
said: "These awards are about recognising and celebrating success.
This year we heard about some exceptional organisations all of which have worked hard to protect and improve our environment.
They have proved that everyone can play a part in tackling environmental issues and we can all make a real difference."
Caroline Grant, Bettys Craft Bakery General Manager and head of the Bakery Environmental Team noted: "At our family business we are committed to keeping our environmental impact as small as possible.
At the Bakery we recycle all cardboard, paper and glass, compost our teabags, use low wattage lighting and source our ingredients locally to reduce food miles.
Every single member of staff contributes towards our environmental activities and we feel proud to celebrate our dedication to positive change with such a constructive and encouraging award."
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS :
As well as the three top awards, prizes for waste reduction were presented to Bishop Monkton CE Primary School, Nidd Vale Group, Treves UK, Shamrock Veterinary Clinic and Soroptimist International Harrogate and District.
And awards for reducing energy use were presented to Pannal Primary School, Wild Ginger and Harrogate District Community Transport.
Entrants in the Awards have also been asked to do a little bit more by planting a tree.
Johnsons of Whixley kindly donated 20 trees and other sponsors of the Awards included
Northern Gas Networks, Harrogate International Centre, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and npower.
ENDS