This is from The Wildlife Trusts weekly newsletter and is a call for action

The dark clouds gathering over Westminster last week unleashed a torrent of terrible news for wildlife and the environment, with the UK Government launching an attack on nature at a time when we urgently need a plan for its recovery.

From lifting the ban on fracking, to a bill that could clear the way for many of our most important environmental protection laws to be removed, Liz Truss’s government seems to be waging a war on nature.

The announcements sparked an unprecedented wave of anger from wildlife conservation charities and the wider public. The Wildlife Trusts’ director of policy and public affairs, Joan Edwards, has summarised some of the issues in blogs on energy security (here) and deregulation (here). We’d urge everyone, including Wildlife Trust staff, to contact their MP and local Councillor, and demand better. To encourage action, we’ve produced a step-by-step guide on how to help – see it on our website here.

Nominations are now open for the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards, which celebrates the Borough’s wonderful volunteers, businesses, clubs, organisations, environmentalists, sports clubs and athletes, and the best of its health and wellbeing and food and drink sectors.

In partnership with media partner West Bridgford Wire, it is a great opportunity to reflect on so many groups and individuals who play essential roles in Rushcliffe communities. We are pleased to again welcome Great Northern Group as lead sponsors who run Gilt and The Refinery in West Bridgford and Gilt in Bingham.

The 10 categories for the 2022 Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards are …

• Volunteer of the Year – An individual or group who gives countless hours and dedication to a Rushcliffe community.
• Business of the Year – Recognising a business in the Borough that supports the local community. This could be through employing local people and apprentices, growing their business, providing work experience or putting profit back into the Rushcliffe economy.
• Young Person/Group of the Year – An individual or group to watch in the future or being an excellent role model for other young people to emulate.
• Community Group of the Year – Recognising a club, organisation or community group who may have achieved success and are helping create a sense of place, epitomising what makes Rushcliffe great by coming together to improve their local area.
• Sportsperson of the Year – An individual who has achieved great success in their chosen sport, made a significant impact in their sport or in their club or team, been a role model for others and raised the profile of their sport or made considerable improvement in their performances and achievements.
• Sports Club of the Year – Acknowledging a sports club who has achieved success in their sport through diversity, competition or overcoming barriers to enable people to participate. Coaches, officials and volunteer nominations are encouraged to highlight achievements and club initiatives that have helped increase membership or the development of a new section.
• Food and Drink Establishment of the Year – Recognising a fantastic outlet who provide quality, provenance, and presentation as well as being the best place for a cuppa, sandwich, pint, pizza, or pie.
• Health and Wellbeing Award  – Celebrating an individual’s or group’s tireless dedication in improving the health and wellbeing of members of their local community.
• Environmental Group or Project of the Year – Acknowledging individuals, organisations or projects that have an impact in making Rushcliffe a ‘greener’ place. This could include promoting nature conservation, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, water conservation or improving quality of life for the people of the Borough.
• The Pride of Rushcliffe Award – An individual or organisation who makes others proud to live in Rushcliffe. This could be an inspirational sportsperson, public figure or head of a community or voluntary group who leads by example to make the Borough a better place to live and work.

Please see below the link to the 2022 nomination form, perhaps you have another worthy nomination?

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RushCRAs2022

Please note the deadline for nominations is 11pm on Sunday 16^th October.

All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards evening later in the year.

Community Development Team

Rushcliffe Borough Council

E: communitydevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk

Rushcliffe Borough Council are organizing the forum in conjunction with Notts Wildlife Trust and anyone involved in nature conservation in Rushcliffe can attend. It is on Saturday 1st Oct.

Please follow this link for details of this year’s forum, which will be held at FarmEco in Screveton https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rushcliffe-nature-conservation-forum-tickets-396949676167   This is the first forum we’ve arranged for a few years, so we’re really looking forward to catching up in person. Please book your place via the Event Brite Link. This is open to all Rushcliffe Friends groups, volunteers involved with managing wildlife spaces and nature conservation enthusiasts in the Borough.