From community gardeners to eco-thinking by big businesses, eco champions from across Norwich have received recognition for all their hard work to improve our city.
Around 100 people attended the third Norwich eco awards presentation evening at City Hall to celebrate the great work going on around the city to make Norwich a more eco friendly place to live, work and visit.
Organised by Norwich City Council and supported by the Norwich Evening News, the awards aim to give everyone in the city who is doing good work to improve Norwich the chance to get together, celebrate their hard work, meet others striving towards the same aim, and inspire others through their stories.
This year’s awards were presented by the 2009-10 eco hero Natalie Halsall, from City College Norwich, and the Lord Mayor of Norwich councillor Tom Dylan.
Ms Halsall said: “Being asked to co-host the awards is such an honour. I was so chuffed to be last year’s eco hero and it’s lovely to be a part of passing that title on to someone else who has been working hard.”
And the hard work doesn’t stop after the awards have taken place. Norwich’s very first eco hero, John Popely from Anglia Print, has just had his business declared officially carbon neutral - the first print company in East Anglia to be certified by The Carbon Neutral Company. Well done John!
Norwich City Council cabinet member for environment, councillor Victoria Macdonald, said: “What a fantastic turn out! It’s inspirational to talk to so many people about what they are doing to make the city more sustainable.
“From primary school children to business leaders, these people are not only undertaking actions for change, but seeing the benefits it brings, giving them the edge in the future.”
The Lord Mayor of Norwich, councillor Tom Dylan, said: “It’s great to see so many people celebrating their achievements to make Norwich a more eco friendly city.”
This year, outstanding entries came from:
- Eco small business - Norfolk Solar
- Eco large business - Purcell Miller Tritton
- Eco school - Magdalen Gates First School
- Eco community group - Bowthorpe Heritage Group
The eco commitment award is for a person, group or organisation that shows an ongoing dedication to improving the city’s eco credentials for future generations. This year the title went to Rose Baulcombe, of Earlham Early Years Centre, for her impressive education of young and old alike of the importance of the world that we live in.
All entries are put forward for the coveted title of eco hero. This year it went to a young local businessman who not only understands the need for a change to be made, but goes about making positive change as part of his day-to-day life, going over and above to involve and educate people. Congratulations to Joe Ray, owner of Hidden Treasure.
Mr Ray said: “Getting the eco hero title has made it all worthwhile. It’s good for the whole team to have their efforts recognised. Thank you to everyone who has supported me with their hard work - it’s all down to passion. Plus it’s good for the ego!”
Well done to everyone who entered - we’ll look forward to seeing more examples of your hard work for the 2011-12 awards.
Visit our eco issues page for more information about the environment in Norwich
1 March 2011