Prison has no bars to winning awards

Businesses and organisations were honoured for their contribution to helping the environment at the Stafford Borough Council ‘Green Awards.’

St John’s Primary School in Stafford and HMP Drake Hall came tops in their categories with Derrington Way Ahead and Homestead Caravan Park making up the full list of winners.

The awards honour the best local eco-projects with 25 applications this year from schools, businesses, voluntary groups and other organisations working locally that have helped make Stafford Borough more sustainable.

They are now in their 15^th year after being set up to reward the efforts of local businesses, schools and other community groups .The initiative was launched in 1996 and is open to all groups operating in the borough.

All the applicants received a certificate and trees from the Mayor of Stafford Borough, Councillor Stan Highfield.

St John’s in Weston Road was triumphant in the youth and education category after introducing a ‘gardening club’ with Drake Hall taking the public sector and leadership title for their waste minimisation project that has slashed the amount of rubbish they throw out. Derrington won in the community and wellbeing category with the caravan park winning in business and prosperity.

Councillor Frank Finlay, cabinet member for environment and health, said: “These awards reward forward-thinking businesses and other agencies for their initiatives.

“Many of the projects are not just about being environmentally friendly they also save money, something that every smart business or organisation will want to be involved in especially in the difficult financial climate.”

Press Release No 4385