Gardeners World

...Britain has such a city (a city in a garden) leading the way in green roofs technology so I'm visiting one of its newest and most exciting projects aimed at educating the next generation.

Just click on the arrow/picture to play

The above is an extract taken from the BBC Gardeners World programme earlier this year. Wow...fancy that, Singapore, London and Paris...and then Sheffield.

"It's heartening that one enlightened Local Authority has had the vision to create this wonderful environment. If only more civic authorities would follow their lead." Joe Swift-BBC gardeners World

Watch us...

video coming soon hopefully when we figure out how to convert quick time to somethign we can upload!

At a star studded ceremony in Leeds (sparkly curtains that is!) Harry Gration TV presenter for BBC yorkshire presented the 8 RICS awards (we were shortlisted in 4 categories if you remember). Brix had to get his posh bow tie out again as it was a 'black tie' event.

WE had some funny little fruits for dessert (pudding) they are called Physalis and they are the CApe Gooseberry fruit. They tasted very nice and sweet.

Oh yes, we also picked up the Award for Design and Innovation!

Follow the link to the RICS article...

RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards Winners Announced

Region's top schemes rewarded at Pro-Yorkshire awards
18th May 2009
By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor (The business desk.com)

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/11485-region-s-top-schemes-rewarded.html

AN EDWARDIAN theatre refurbishment, a school design and a retirement development have all been recognised as top building projects at the 2009 RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards.

The awards recognise and celebrate inspirational initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

Sharrow School in Sheffield picked up the award for design and innovation: (l-r) Evelyn Abram, Jo Tingle, Lynne Ley and Cath Basilio with RICS Yorkshire chairman Colin Harrop.

Harrogate's Royal Hall won the highly-acclaimed project of the year accolade after the theatre complex underwent a £10.7m refurbishment.
A total of seven projects from across the region were given top prizes at the awards, which were held at the Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Several of the winners have now been automatically entered into the national RICS awards later this year, where they will compete against building projects from across the UK.

Colin Harrop, RICS Yorkshire and Humber chairman, said: “Our independent judges had an extremely tough task choosing the winners as the awards attracted an initial entry of 76 projects this year. This is more than any other region in England, and the vast majority of entrants were of an exceptionally high standard.

“The winners really do put Yorkshire and Humberside on the map as a region that offers world-class, innovative buildings - they are truly inspirational projects that demonstrate the skills and creativity of our property professionals and their commitment to sustaining and improving the property landscape.”

Jennifer Welch, operations director of RICS North, added: “We had a great turnout on the night, which we really appreciate, as these awards symbolise excellence in the Yorkshire and Humberside property and construction sector and provide an invaluable opportunity for the region to celebrate and showcase its exceptional projects.”

Category winners at the RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards were:
Building conservationWinner: Royal Hall, Harrogate Highly commended: St James Church, Baildon
CommercialWinner: Stanhope Buildings, Horsforth
Community BenefitWinner: Castleford River Crossing and Fish Pass, Castleford Highly commended: The Art house, Wakefield Highly commended: The Green Lane Neighbourhood Centre, Whitby
Design and innovationWinner: Sharrow School, Sheffield Highly commended: Brompton Lakes, Richmond
RegenerationWinner: Bridlington Spa, Bridlington
ResidentialWinner: pad55, Pickering
SustainabilityWinner: pad55, Pickering
Tourism and leisureWinner: Leeds City Museum
Project of the year Royal Hall, Harrogate

RICS awards tonight

We're off to another awards ceremony and big dinner (we'll have to start watching our waistlines soon). Keep your fingers crossed for us and your school!

Shortlisted in four categories:

Design and Innovation
Brompton Lakes, Richmond
Creative Arts Building, Huddersfield
Innovation Hub, Leeds
Pad 55, Pickering
Sharrow NIL School, Sheffield
University of Information Commons

Community Benefit
Castleford River Crossing & Fish Pass, Castleford
Hillside School, Beeston, Leeds
Sharrow NIJ School, Sheffield
Shibden Park, Interpretation Centre, Halifax
The Arthouse, Wakefield
The Green Lane Neighbourhood, Whitby

Regeneration
Brewery Wharf, Leeds
Bridlington Spa, Bridlington
Castleford River Crossing & Fish Pass, Casteford
Eastbrook Hall, Bradford
Sharrow NIL School, Sheffield
The Bay, Filey

Sustainability
Creative Arts Building, Huddersfield
Henley Rise, Rotherham
Pad 55, Pickering
Sharrow NIJ School, Sheffield
Shibden Park Interpretation Centre, Halifax
St Margarets Parish Centre, Horsforth

NATURAL ENGLAND

Sharrow School roof has been proposed as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR)

If successfully accepted then it will join 16 other LNR's in Sheffield, but it will be the first ever on a building!!!

How are Local Nature Reserves declared?
Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and amended by Schedule 11 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, by principal local authorities.

For further information go to the website...
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/lnr/declaration.aspx