Harrogate Borough Council

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Some of the best environmental action in the Harrogate district was celebrated at the glitzy BAFTERS Awards ceremony at the Swallow St. George Hotel on Monday

4 July.  The BAFTERS Best Action For The Environment Road Show rewarded over 200 representatives from schools, businesses and community groups across the district for their environmental activities.

 

All guests received the red-carpet treatment and enjoyed local fruit wines and organic canapés to the music of internationally acclaimed harpist Fiona-Katie Roberts, before enjoying the awards ceremony, which was opened by the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate Councillor Caroline Bayliss.

 

  The Mayor said: "The BAFTERS is a great chance to celebrate all the environmental action taking place in this district, and all the nominees should be proud of their achievements".

 

Highlights of the ceremony which was sponsored by Yorkshire Water and NEDL included an entertaining play on the recycling theme performed by pupils from Saltergate Junior School, a photo tour of examples from the district's best environmental action, and a TV star guest appearance.

 

The special guest at the BAFTERS was BBC weather presenter Paul Hudson, who gave a topical speech on climate change.  Paul highlighted some results of the changing climate like the fact that the hottest day ever recorded in the UK was in 2000, which was also a record-breaking year for rainfall. He reminded the audience that as individuals, everyone has a part to play in reducing our climate impact.

 

Paul then announced the BAFTERS winners in the three categories Schools, Community Groups and Businesses.  The winners were:

 

Moorside Infant School, Ripon, who were chosen because of their wide range of environmental projects many of which have been inspired by their extensive wildlife garden.  They have won £300, donated by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, plus the BAFTERS Trophy

 

Open Country, which is a charity dedicated to increasing access to the countryside. Their Conservation and ' Trailblazer' volunteer groups give people with learning difficulties a chance to get involved in conservation work across the district.  Their prize is £300, plus the BAFTERS Trophy

 

Goosemoor Organics, an organic farm and retailer in Cowthorpe, recieved the BAFTERS Business Award Trophy for their wide range of environmental activities including using renewable energy, and clean fuels for vehicles.

 

The Green House Treves UK Ltd, and Holy Trinity Junior School, Ripon, were awarded outstanding achievement awards for energy action; and Cartridge World, Treves UK Ltd, Coppice Valley Primary School, Harrogate and St Wilfrid's Primary School, Ripon were awarded outstanding achievement awards for waste and recycling.

 

All the community groups and schools who entered have been awarded a tree donated by Johnsons of Whixley to plant in celebration of their environmental achievements.

 

 

Photographs: Digital photos of the event are attached to this release.

 

 

 

The 2005 Bafters nominees were

 

For more information, contact John Ward-Campbell at Harrogate Borough Council 01423 556909