We are pleased to announce that we have been given an award from the prestigious Duke of York’s Community Initiative Scheme. HRH the Duke of York presented the certificate to secretary Pauline Bradley-Sharp at an award ceremony on 16 October, 2014. The Duke of York described why he created the scheme: “Some years ago I visited a housing estate in York and saw what a real difference could be achieved by the community working together, identifying their own needs and deciding for themselves the actions needed to find the answers to such needs. “Today the Community Initiative which bears my name is a great success story throughout the whole of Yorkshire with over 200 first class community schemes having received my award. They have been encouraged informally to act as mentors and examples of best practice to other communities, spreading far and wide the message that often the remedy for shortcomings can be generated at community level.” Hirst Wood Regeneration Group’s work in the community was studied by assessors. Among other projects, they visited the garden at Hirst Lock, looked at the site of the proposed nature reserve and also visited the children’s playground and Jubilee Blossom Orchard in the middle of the estate As well as assessing the tangible achievements, they also took into account the involvement of the local community and the impact of other projects such as summer activities for young people and boat trips for the elderly and those who don’t get much chance to get out and about. HWRG chair, Sandra Angadi, said: “We are thrilled to receive this award. None of our work could be done without the help of sponsors who provide the money and the willing volunteers who give up their time. The award is a fitting acknowledgement of all their efforts.”

Royal approval for HWRG work