News Item (29-06-2010)

The finalists for the Biffaward Awards 2010 have now been shortlisted. Competition was fierce and 170 eligible contenders have now been cut down to 21 finalists.

The 21 finalists are split across four different categories, Buildings for Community and Culture, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Environment, and Small Grants.

The judges will be looking for their own category winner, before meeting later in the year to decide who should be awarded the overall winners prize. Category winners each net a trophy and £2,000, whilst the overall winner then benefits from a further £5,000 in prize money, which can be used to develop their projects or fund other initiatives.

The shortlisted projects are;

Buildings for Community and Culture

The Society Of Bexhill Museums - Museums' Renaissance in Bexhill

Derbyshire Environmental Trust – Extension and improvement of community rooms - Littleover Methodist Church

Rural Action East - Hungate Medieval Art

Green Leeds - Thorner Parish Centre Regeneration

Green Business Network - Midgley Matters: Back to the Future

New Heights Warren Farm Community Project - New Heights Warren Farm Community Centre

Outdoor Recreation

The Waterways Trust (Gloucestershire) - Hanbury Wharf: creative play in the great outdoors

Derbyshire Environmental Trust- Environmental improvements at Pennytown Ponds, Somercotes

Derbyshire Environmental Trust - Doveridge Play Area Project

Belton Community Group - Belton Community Action Group Playground Regeneration

Green Leeds - Meanwood Valley Urban Farm Garden Project

The Woodland Trust - Woodland Walks

Natural Environment

RSPB South East - Priority Habitat for Priority Species - Ashgrave and Big Otmoor Restoration

The Woodland Trust - George Henry Wood - A new wood for Rutland

RSPB Eastern England - Conservation and enhancement of reedbed at RPSB Minsmere nature reserve

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust - Acquistion of Leaches Farm, Ludgershall, Buckinghamshire

Small Grants

Usk Conservation & Environmental Group - Railtrack regeneration

Broadbridge Heath Cricket Club - Replacement Non-turf Pitch and Provision of a Net Cage

St Mark’s Parish Church - Church Hall Refurbishment

Morriston Memorial Hall Bingo Group - Community Garden Project

Hoddlesden Village Bowling Club - Kazubalo 1 Enviro Loo

The awards ceremony for the finalists will be held on November 3rd 2010 at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.