Tony said that the culture and history of our landscape is part of our national identity and he added:

“Our landscape protects our wildlife, is a source of food and is valuable to our health and well-being. Our landscape is under enormous pressure from urban development, from industrial farming methods and from pollution. Nevertheless the environmental lobby has done well in the UK, with, for instance, farmers adopting good conservation practices, the establishments of SSSIs and National Parks. The return of barn owls, buzzards, red kites, finches, water voles and otters is clear evidence of this. Climate Change is bringing incredible challenges but individuals can make a huge difference - hence the importance of the projects highlighted in tonight’s CPRE Awards.”

The awards are:

LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT

Northwood End Farm, Haynes : CPRE Mark

Thurleigh Community Memorial Garden, Thurleigh : Silver

John O’Gaunt Golf course ‘ecology’, Sutton : Silver

Renhold Wildflower Meadow, Renhold : Silver

Community Orchard, Harrold Odell Country Park : Commended

Vandyke Curve Wildflower Meadow, Leighton Buzzard : Commended

Wadelows Nature Reserve (Poplars), Toddington : Commended

HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE:

Queen Anne’s Summerhouse, Old Warden : CPRE Mark

St Denys Church and Colmworth Country Park (Joint) : CPRE Mark

Stotfold Mill, Stotfold : CPRE Mark

Brogborough Manor Farm, Brogborough : Highly Commended

Hinwick House and Gardens, Hinwick : Highly Commended

Brickhill Pastures Farm Buildings, Maulden : Commended

SUSTAINABLE LIVING:

Wassledine, Gravenhurst : CPRE Mark

Browns of Stagsden Farm Shop, Stagsden : Silver

Sustainable Oakley, Oakley : Silver

Garden Friends Farm Shop, Roxton : Highly Commended