Volunteers from the Isle of Wight Green Gym celebrated at Fort Victoria Country Park as they met Cllr Jonathan Bacon, the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management, and Lee Matthews, Strategic Manager for Recreation and Public Spaces.
Cllr Bacon (pictured far right) congratulated the volunteers and announced that they were the first winners of the Island’s annual Bob Edney Countryside Conservation Award.
In memory of Bob Edney
The Award is presented by the Isle of Wight Council in memory of Bob Edney, who worked in the council’s countryside service for over 39 years until his death in March 2020.
The Isle of Wight Green Gym plans to use the £1000 award to keep on the road with repairs to their van and trailer to keep things rolling.
Russell: Many fond memories of working with Bob
Group leader Mark Russell said,
“We have many fond memories of working with Bob on council countryside sites over the years, and so this award given in his name is a great honour for the Isle of Wight Green Gym.
“In the last decade we’ve worked at over 180 locations around the Island, and this award means we can continue to move our tools and equipment about safely.
“I think such a practical solution is the kind of thing Bob would have liked.”
Bacon: Hard-working and dedicated team of volunteers
Cllr Bacon added,
“It’s a privilege to present this award to such a hard-working and dedicated team of volunteers.
“I’m very aware of the well-managed nature reserves, country parks and green spaces that Bob cared for in his nearly forty years work across the Island on behalf of the council.
“Islanders and tourists alike get great pleasure and benefit from the splendid countryside that characterises the Isle of Wight Biosphere reserve, and we don’t always realise how much of that is maintained and managed by unpaid and voluntary work.
“So with this award I am delighted to highlight the work of the Isle of Wight Green Gym and offer them my thanks and congratulations.
“I would also like to thank the runners up, Wight Building Materials, nominated by Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust and Gillian Belben, nominated by Chillerton and Gatcombe Parish Council, who submitted strong entries.
“The Award will be open again later this year, and I am confident we will find another worthy winner!”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
