Choose Your Hampshire Choice

CPRE Hampshire, the Countryside charity, have revealed the names of the finalists for the Countryside Awards 2019 – a celebration of the work being undertaken to support the countryside.

CPRE Hampshire Chief Executive George Sallis commented: “It is heartening to see just some of the amazing and diverse work being done to protect and enhance the countryside by local groups and organisations. The judges have been so impressed by our finalists – and I know they are going to struggle to choose!”

The judges aren’t the only ones with a vote, as “Hampshire’s Choice” gives the public an opportunity to vote online for the organisation they think deserves to win the top prize of £500. Voting opens 12 August and further details of each finalist and how to vote can be found on the CPRE website at www.cprehampshire.org.uk/awards.

There are four categories: Rural Enterprise (supported by Hampshire Fare); Community and Voluntary (sponsored by Southern Co-op); Young People (sponsored by Forest Holidays); and Making Places (sponsored by Hastoe Housing). 

Finalists in the Rural Enterprise category include: Hill Farm Juice, producing fresh local produce with environmental awareness; Cold Pressed Oil, producing oil using locally grown seed, aiding the local economy and leaving the smallest impact; Chalk Stream Foods, producing sustainable food products and promoting the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices and good husbandry; Stansted Farm Shop, a rural community-supported hub promoting local produce; and Three Hares Honey, producing artisanal honey with the highest ethical and welfare standards and with active involvement in outreach, education and public engagement activities.

CPRE Hampshire Chair Dee Haas added: "The Countryside Awards are a real celebration of all the hard work and dedication of so many people working to support or enjoy the countryside in different ways. It is genuinely heartening to see the scope of work going on throughout Hampshire by people with similar values and ideals to CPRE Hampshire; protecting, building and sustaining a thriving, diverse community and living countryside for us all to share and enjoy.”

Hill Farm Juices