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2024 Awards

A group photo of all the 2024 Award recipients, taken at our Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 12th November 2024 at Elmore Court

At our annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 12th November 2024, held at Elmore Court, six CPRE Gloucestershire Awards were presented – the fifth Award marked a significant milestone – our 100th charity Award.

 

Amberley Shop & Café

In 2017, Amberley’s last shop closed, prompting the village to create a community-run shop. A Community Benefit Society was formed, and with

support from the Church of the Holy Trinity, a shop and café were integrated into the church building. Over £270,000 was raised through grants, donations, and fundraising events.

Opened in June, the shop and café are run by over 80 volunteers and operate daily, sourcing locally and using eco-friendly heating. The project has been a great success, transforming the church into a lively community hub and showing how Listed Buildings can be sensitively adapted.

Citation: Awarded for delivering a complex project that demonstrates both a vision and strong commitment by a community to achieve the goal of replacing its village shop, combined with an exemplar of the sensitive adaptation of a Listed church building to accommodate much wider community use.

Arlingham Pound Restoration

The medieval livestock pound in Arlingham, part of the former Arlingham Court Estate (1320–1919), had fallen into ruin by the 21st century, with one side wall collapsing in March 2023. Following a parish consultation, 93% of residents supported its restoration.

In late 2023, the Parish Council secured ownership and funding, and restoration work began in February 2024. Volunteers cleared fallen stone, and local stonemasons rebuilt the collapsed walls using original and reclaimed stone, as well as constructing a new front wall. A rustic ash fence, benches, and an information board were added, with plans for a wildflower area.

The project has been a great success, with the community working together to restore an important piece of local heritage.

Citation: Awarded in recognition of the re-creation of an historic local structure of great age, re-using on-site stone and employing local craftspeople and volunteers.

Arundel Mill Pond Eel Pass

The Severn Vale Waterscapes project focuses on the critically endangered European eel, which undertakes an incredible migration from the Sargasso Sea to Europe and back. Eel numbers have dropped by 95% over the past 40 years, partly due to habitat loss and barriers like weirs blocking river passage.

In Stroud, the project has tackled these barriers, with the Stroud Valleys Project working at Arundel Mill Pond. Once an eyesore, the pond has been restored with repairs to the sluice and weir, the removal of silt, and the creation of better habitats for wildlife. An eel pass has been installed to help eels move upstream, and local citizen science has confirmed its success through eel DNA testing.

Now, walkers along the canal towpath can enjoy views of the improved pond, with informative interpretation boards explaining the project’s importance.

Citation: Awarded for enhancement of landscape, biodiversity and public information through partnership working and community involvement and physical works to benefit eels within the wider context of the Severn Vale Waterscapes Project.

Churnbridge Row

With soaring house prices in Gloucestershire’s rural villages, there is a pressing need for affordable housing. A recent development in North Cerney, Cotswolds, demonstrates what can be achieved.

Following a detailed housing needs survey and full community support, twelve affordable homes were built at Churnbridge Row for local people or those with close family ties to the village. Completed in 2020 and opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the development includes two shared ownership homes and ten rental properties. Two one-bed flats are designed as “flexi-flats,” allowing them to be adapted into two-bed homes as family needs grow.

The homes are energy-efficient, with high insulation levels and Air Source Heat Pumps for affordable heating and hot water. Despite the challenging site, the design and layout have been well-received, with residents praising the balance of rural living and access to local employment.

The project was designed by Quattro Design Architects and built by J Harper and Sons.

Citation: Awarded for actioning and delivering an exemplar of much needed rural affordable housing, in a manner that works well for the residents, incorporates high standards of building performance and blends into its rural setting.

Restoring Gloucestershire’s Scarce Heathlands for Wildlife & People (100th Award)

Heathland is a rare and important habitat in Gloucestershire, with restoration efforts focused on the Tidenham Chase Nature Recovery Zone. This includes The Park, managed by Forestry England, and Poor’s Allotment, owned by the Poor’s Trustees, covering 60 hectares.

Forestry England began restoring The Park by clearing coniferous woodland, but challenges from birch, bracken, and gorse emerged. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust now manages both sites, using grazing by cattle, ponies, and sheep, along with tree clearance and herbicide use. The restoration has led to thriving heathland, marked by increased nightjar breeding and adder sightings.

The project is a national example of heathland restoration, providing valuable training for volunteers and enjoyment for visitors.

Citation: Awarded for providing a model for delivering successful heathland recovery on a significant scale, and for opening up the area for both volunteer involvement and public enjoyment.

The Rising Sun Woodcroft Community Pub Project

The Rising Sun, built in 1870, was closed in 2011 and put up for sale in 2012. Developers planned to turn it into housing, sparking a campaign to save the pub. The community successfully secured Asset of Community Value status in 2013, protecting it from development.

In 2021, after years of fundraising and legal battles, The Rising Sun Woodcroft Community Benefit Society purchased the pub, raising £350,000 through community shares and securing £175,000 from the Government.

After major repairs by over 120 volunteers, the pub reopened in 2022 as a thriving community hub, supporting local suppliers and hosting events, including a weekly quiz raising money for local charities.

Citation: Awarded in recognition of the grit and determination, huge learning curve and long-term goal by the community in securing a past community asset. Using every resource available, in bringing The Rising Sun into a truly valued hub enjoyed and appreciated by all.