We were delighted to once again be a category sponsor of the NK Community Champions Award 2024. The awards ceremony tool place on November 27th at the Sleaford Hub. The annual awards are organised by North Kesteven Council, and we have been a sponsor since 2016, after winning the Local Business category in the 2015 awards.

We sponsored the Climate Action Award, recognising “an individual, group, school, club or business whose actions contribute positively towards a carbon-neutral future, reduced energy use or greater environmental resilience.”  There were five nominations, with three shortlisted for judging, with Washingborough Academy primary school winning. 

Washingborough Academy, near Lincoln, wanted their staff and children (and their parents) to better appreciate the global food crisis and its impact on people and the environment. As well as work in the classroom to understand food issues, global warming and sustainability, the school has undertaken a series of initiatives: 

• Growing their own food: the whole school - pupils across all years and staff, maintain a 300 sqm organic kitchen garden, a 72-meter-long polytunnel and an orchard. They also have individual class plots to learn about food and sustainability.
• Heritage and heirloom seeds: they’re committed to using these seeds to promote biodiversity.
• Parent and community involvement: plant sales organised by the school have encouraged parents and the local community to buy seedlings and grow their own food at home. Local businesses have sponsored trees in the school’s orchard.
• School kitchen collaboration: the food produced in the Academy's garden is used in school meals.

Many congratulations to all the Award nominess and winner and in particular to Washingborough Academy, who received their award from Jo Simpson, Sleaford REP's General Manager and on behalf of Schroders Greencoat, the owners of Sleaford REP.