Suffolk’s Creating The Greenest County Awards: Winners announced

08 Mar 2023

Communities and organisations from across West Suffolk have seen their commitment to the environment celebrated today at Suffolk County Council’s Creating The Greenest County 2023 Awards.

Awards have been presented to schools, businesses, community groups and this year’s Green Hero: Jason Alexander from Ipswich. The awards were presented today (Wednesday 8 March) at an event at The Hold in Ipswich, hosted by Mark Murphy from BBC Radio Suffolk, with guest speaker Christine Luxton, Chief Executive Officer at Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said: “With over 100 nominations for all our awards, and 2,200 votes cast for our Green Hero, there is so much energy and passion in Suffolk to care for our local environment.

“Huge congratulations to all our award winners, but all our nominees should feel proud for inspiring others around them. They help us all to understand the changes that we need to make in our lives, to protect our natural environment, reduce carbon emissions, make our homes more efficient, and reduce our energy and water use.

“This desire is replicated at the council through our ambitions to become net zero by 2030, to increase the levels of biodiversity on our property, and to work with partners across the county on Suffolk’s Climate Emergency Plan. As we face continual rising prices, I believe that a cleaner future is not enemy of the cost-of-living, it is a huge part of the answer to it.”

The West Suffolk winners are:

Waste Reduction and Recycling: Still Good Food

Still Good Food rescues surplus food and redistribute it to the public through their shops in Bury St Edmunds and Great Barton.

The judges said: “They are making a significant impact on food waste reduction and helping people source good food in times of rising living costs. We also liked the work they are doing with gleaning from farms as well as their school outreach work.”

Green Community: Bury Bike Train

The Bury Bike Train is a way for children to ride their own bikes to and from school in a group, supported by adult cyclists. 

The judges said: “This is an exciting and active new initiative, involving families across the generations, reducing traffic, and Green Community encouraging alternative transports. They present the whole biking package to involve health, wellbeing, air quality and reducing fossil fuels which promote biking-for-life habits and lessons for the future.”

Green School (Secondary): Sybil Andrews Academy

Based in Bury St Edmunds, the school runs many environmental projects, including a Gardening Club, growing flowers for local residents, and organising trips with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

The judges said: “The children show an outstanding approach towards embedding sustainability into the school across all aspects of the curriculum and community life. They have ambitious plans and engage with other local primary schools, businesses and the community.”

Green Small Business: Depden Care Farm

Depden Care Farm offers therapeutic placements to adults with learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries and those recovering their mental health.

The judges said: “They ticked every possible box to win this award. It is run with the ethos of an organic farm but with incredible benefits for both the education and community aspects. The Care Farm also helps with biodiversity by growing unusual strains of vegetables and a wide range of trees in the orchard. They also have a well thought out and ambitious strategic plan to move forward over the next few years.”

To read more about the Awards, visit www.greensuffolk.org/awards

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