Nominate champions for the 2024 New Forest Awards
PUBLISHED ON: 1 MAY 2024The New Forest National Park Authority and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have launched their annual awards to celebrate rural success stories in the New Forest.
The New Forest National Park Awards recognise the people in and around the New Forest who have made outstanding contributions to the environment, rural economy and our communities.
The New Forest National Park Authority and CLA South East, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses across the Forest, Hampshire and beyond, will crown the winners at an awards ceremony and drinks reception at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show on 31 July.
Nominations are now open for the 11th annual awards which are supported by Moore Barlow and the New Forest Agricultural Show Society.
The awards celebrate sustainability champions, young farmers and commoners, diversified rural businesses, young environmental champions, farming and nature champions, and the best supporters of local produce who work in and around the National Park.
Individuals, businesses and organisations can nominate themselves or be nominated by others, but must be living, working or practising within the New Forest Awards area. Nominations close on 31 May 2024 with application forms and nomination criteria available at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/newforestawards.
Alison Barnes, Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘This year marks the 75th anniversary of national parks in the UK, and with a focus on how we can work together for our protected landscapes.
‘It’s fitting that in this anniversary year we’re celebrating those who go above and beyond to care for the New Forest. This is particularly important when our landscape, its unique nature and way of life that sustains it is under increasing pressure, whether from a changing climate or uncertainty about the future of support and incentives to help look after it.
‘We’re always enormously proud to host these awards and give our worthy winners the recognition they deserve.’
Tim Bamford, Regional Director of CLA South East said: ‘The CLA is proud that these awards have grown to establish themselves as an important annual celebration of the New Forest’s vibrant rural economy.
‘The nominations window is only open for a short period so please get your applications in. We look forward to celebrating the Forest’s innovative and dynamic individuals and businesses at the show presentation in July.’
Nominations are invited for the following categories:
- Young Farmer/Commoner of the Year (aged 35 and under)
- Best Supporter of Local Produce in conjunction with the New Forest Marque
- Sustainability Champion
- Young Environmental Champion (aged 25 and under)
- Rural Diversification
- Farming and Nature Champion.
For full details of criteria and how to apply, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/newforestawards.
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About the CLA South East
The CLA South East has around 5,000 members across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and professional advisers based regionally to give support to members.
We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 111 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.
For more information visit https://www.cla.org.uk/in-your-area/south-east/ or follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.
Pictured: Winners of the 2023 New Forest Awards at the New Forest Show.
