The overall winner of the prestigious Environmental Youth Award (EYA) for 2019 went to a Dorset School at the Royal Bath and West Show on Friday 31 May. Damers First School at Poundbury showed an all school approach to environmental education, which was immediately obvious to the judging panel.
Chairman of the EYA Committee, Les Davies, said: ” This was a unanimous decision among the judges! We were all inspired by the innovation and infectious enthusiasm for the environment that ran right through the school”
Damers First School put the money they won from the Bath and West Environmental Youth Awards towards their Wildlife and Pond Area. They welcomed Children’s TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson to their school to open the new pond and wildlife area. Naomi inspired the school in their assembly with tales of her many adventures and encounters. They were all so inspired to meet someone who was living proof of what happens when you don’t give up and you dream big!
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Other County winners in the award were – Appledore Primary School in Devon; Bishops Hull School in Somerset; Cabot School in Bristol and Clarendon Junior School in Wiltshire.“They all came across as truly committed and interested in the projects with which they are involved,” commented the judges. “They are all worthy of the highest praise”
The Environmental Youth Award is a Regional competition organised by the Royal Bath & West of England Society, with sponsorship from HSBC Bank Ltd. It is now in its twenty third year, with the aim of promoting greater awareness and understanding of conservation and environmental matters, by encouraging and recognising the contribution made by young people.
The scheme is now open to entries from the six counties of Bristol, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and South Gloucestershire. Entries are judged on the basis of an ‘award made to a group of young people who have made a significant contribution to conservation and/or environmental management’, in either an urban or rural environment. The six county nominations are assessed by a panel of judges who decide upon a Regional winner.