Riverhill wins Open Space Award for Community Engagement

The Riverhill regeneration project led by Cobham Heritage has been given a national Open Space Award by the Open Spaces Society. This is for its work in transforming the Riverhill site from a scrubby, unattractive area, to an accessible wild meadow of exceptional beauty, with a viewing platform.

The Cobham Heritage project delivered in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council. They will continue to manage the site together for the future.

The Open Spaces Society's chairman, Tim Crowther (left), presented the Special Award for Community Engagement to David Tipping (right), vice-chairman of the trust, and Laura Richardson (centre) of Elmbridge Borough Council at the society's annual general meeting in Birmingham on Tuesday (16 July).

Says Tim Crowther: 'The way in which Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust has galvanised all-round support for a very successful public open space initiative has been outstanding. It is a striking example of how best to get local people active and involved in a community project. Elmbridge Borough Council deserves recognition too for the vital part it played in getting this project to a successful conclusion. This project is a worthy winner of the Open Spaces Society's Special Award for Community Engagement.'

The vice-chairman of Cobham Heritage, David Tipping said 'We are delighted to receive the award on behalf of the Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust, Elmbridge Borough Council and the community. This project would not have been achieved without the strong partnership between the two organisations.'

Tim presented the Trust with a certificate and in due course the society will mark the award with a plaque for the site.

Well done to all those who donated their time and money to make the Riverhill project such a success.