East Bergholt Futures have been named the winner of the Robert Erith National Landscape Award in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley Project area for 2022-23.

The Robert Erith National Landscape Award celebrates the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project area.

A record number of nominations were made by members of the public and the winner was East Bergholt Futures for the instrumental role it played in the Hedgehog Friendly Village Project, which saw several initiatives introduced to support the local hedgehog population.

The hedgehog is a priority species in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the past decade over a half of rural hedgehogs and a third from towns and cities have been lost.

The East Bergholt Futures is a small village group promoting sustainable living. The group has helped the population of hedgehogs in East Bergholt thrive by encouraging people in the village to cut holes in their fences to create a hedgehog superhighway, recording data from hedgehog sightings, attending events to raise awareness of the project, sharing best practice online and giving advice in the local community.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership, said:

“The East Bergholt Futures Group embody the passion and enthusiasm that is so important for any community project to succeed. Such was the impact locally; this project has provided a template for other hedgehog friendly village projects in the Dedham Vale and wider Stour Valley.

The judging panel felt despite strong competition, the group were worthy winners of the Robert Erith National Landscape award”.

Julie Price of East Bergholt Futures said:

“Thank you! We’ve been so encouraged by the huge amount of support for hedgehogs within the village. Together we are making a positive difference for hedgehogs, and we hope their numbers increase in East Bergholt and throughout the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley”.

The award is named after Robert Erith TD DL, the former Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership, a lifelong advocate for the special landscape.

Award winners receive a framed copy of a linocut print created by local artist, Jem Seeley, and produced by Drab Ltd featuring the AONB’s iconic species – hazel dormouse in the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley.

Find out more information about the Robert Erith National Landscape Award at www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/awards.