Earthmovers Winners 2011

26 September 2011

The winners were announced at this year's Annual Conference in Nottingham (September 9-11). Members gathered to celebrate 40 years of Friends of the Earth - and look forward to the next 40 years.

This year's winners are:

Group of the Year:
Caerphilly

The group doubled its membership running a wide range of events - such as the town's first Green Christmas Fayre. Members also ran school workshops on the theme Reduce, Re-use, Recycle - developing new relationships with teachers and young people.

We are proud to be a part of the Friends of the Earth family, trying to make a difference not just locally but also nationally and globally.

Bleddyn Lake, Caerphilly Friends of the Earth

Campaign or Project of the Year:
Colchester & NE Essex

Following a group visit to the site of a proposed wind-farm, members unanimously agreed to support the proposal in the face of fierce opposition. The group collected more than 50 letters of support in just 2 hours outside the local Co-op store  - and a further 300 letters from knocking on people's doors.

Middlewick windfarm will provide electricity for more than 9,000 homes and is supported by the RSPB, Natural England and Environment Agency.

We worked very hard to raise letters of support, tell the public and the media the truth about anti-windfarm groups that peddle misinformation and then we strongly supported the windfarms at the public enquiries.

Paula Whitney, Colchester & NE Essex Friends of the Earth

Outreach Event or Activity of the Year:
Camden

The group held a vegan banquet, featuring, pedal-powered music, performance poetry and eco songs. The event spawned a new youth group which is promoting green issues at home and in schools.

In April, the group led a coalition of local groups including Age UK, Jewish Community Centre and Camden Cyclists to deliver a successful Energy Bill public meeting.

We like to run events that offer a clear message but that also promise to be fun. Running an event is always a lot of work but as long as there is a small dedicated group it is usually a satisfying experience.

Jess Gold, Camden Friends of the Earth

In addition to the 2011 Earthmovers chosen by an independent group of judges, 3 awards are voted on by delegates at Conference. The winners are:

Friend of the Earth:
Doug Holly

Doug has been with Friends of the Earth Leicester for about 30 years. He is currently involved in 20's Plenty, a successful campaign for more 20mph zones in residential areas in the city.

I said I was the 'Poster Boy of Leicester Friends of the Earth'. The directors' talk was a real highlight. It showed the degree to which Friends of the Earth has stuck to its guns over the years.

Doug Holly, Leicester Friends of the Earth

You can listen to an interview with Doug here.

Photo of the Year:
Friends of the Earth Birmingham

The group scooped this award for their brilliant Santa pic. It shows a parade of Santas holding placards on the streets of Birmingham. It's a humorous take on the group's anti-consumerist message on their annual Buy Nothing Day.

We'd like to thank all the people who voted for our photo. I hope more groups start to think of ways to make people aware of what they buy at Christmas without coming across as killjoys.

Joe Peacock, Campaigns Support Worker, Friends of the Earth Birmingham

Powerful Communication of the Year:
MARINET

MARINET won this award for its powerful campaign booklet The Ocean Planet - A Proposal for Fundamental Changes in Marine Management. MARINET is the network of Friends of the Earth Local Groups looking after the marine environment. A big part of their campaign is the reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

Winning the Earthmovers award for is a great tribute to the work of the MARINET and our members. It means that Local Groups throughout the country recognise the importance of the marine environment and value of our work.

Stephen Eades, MARINET coordinator

 
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