Land Trust Awards 2019 - Who were the big winners?

Frickley Country Park was the winner of Site of the Year and Health Site of the Year at the Land Trust’s annual awards ceremony.

Several Land Trust sites, rangers and volunteers have been recognised for outstanding achievements at the event which was held in Ellesmere Port.

Frickley Country Park in Yorkshire is a thriving site which has developed vastly over the years, transformed from a former colliery into a beautiful Country Park. The site attracted over 80,000 visitors last year and started a popular weekly parkrun event, which attracts hundreds of enthusiastic runners every Saturday morning.

There were 11 awards categories, which included Volunteer of the Year, Ranger of the Year, Most Improved site of the Year and Project of the year, which was voted for on the day.

The awards followed a conference held by the Land Trust which allowed over 100 Managing Partners, staff and volunteers to share information and discuss upcoming projects.

Alan Carter, Director of Portfolio Management at the Land Trust said:

“This event not only gives us chance to recognise the fantastic work that goes on across our 70 sites, but also gives the people involved a chance to learn from each other and share ideas.

“We’re so grateful for all the hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining our sites and ensuring they provide significant benefit to local communities and wildlife.”

The Countess of Chester Country Park was the night’s other big winner, winning two awards and four highly commended certificates. 13 winners were awarded at the event, with 16 highly commended.

A list of winners is below:
• Community Space of the Year – Countess of Chester Country Park
• Nature Space of the Year – Haig
• Health Site of the Year – Frickley Country Park
• Educational Site of the Year – Warrington
• Site Delivering best Economic Activity – Beaulieu
• Most Improved Space of the Year – Osprey Quay
• Best Friends/Community Group – Friends of Knowle Haven and Upton Meadows Residents Association
• Project of the Year – Fallen for the Fallen at Chester and Brook Restoration at Dinnington
• Volunteer of the Year – Aidan Richardson
• Ranger of the Year – Leon Hayward
• Site of the Year – Frickley Country Park