Old Hall Gardens

Awards

The Cowbridge Charter Trust is proud to have won numerous awards for its community projects in Old Hall Gardens.

Green Flag Award

The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom.

Green Flag Award 2017

We were delighted to receive the Green Flag Community Award again in 2017.

Comments from the report by the Judges include: "Such a lovely Garden full of things to see and explore. 

"Many different and historic features have been sympathetically maintained to a very high standard.

"A dedicated team of volunteers whose enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge are very clear to see, as well as a passion to bring the community into the gardens. 

"A beautiful place to visit set in the heart of Cowbridge town centre providing a wide array of biodiversity."

For the full report and Judges' comments please click here.

Green Flag Award 2016

We were delighted to receive the Green Flag Community Award at a ceremony in Barry on 28th July 2016.


Assessments are made by horticultural and associated experts and an award indicates "the mark of a quality park or green space". It is given in recognition of achieving the national standard for parks and gardens.

Comments from the report by the Judges include: "It is an amazing garden with so many different areas and features with many distinct natural areas within the garden.

"There is a fernery, a wildflower meadow, wisteria walk, pond with fish and more with excellent opportunities for events, photography and educational visits."


For the full report and Judges' comments please click here.

Richard Browning (second from the right) receiving the Green Flag on behalf of the volunteers of Old Hall Gardens.

Judges' comments:

"The volunteers are knowledgeable and passionate about the gardens."

"Old Hall Gardens is a very special place to visit and is a wonderful attraction for Cowbridge town."

Biffa Award 2013

Winner of the “Small Grants” category was the Cowbridge Charter Trust with the Children’s Outdoor Story Telling Circle.

2013 marked the 15th year of the Biffa Awards – an annual ceremony which recognises the dedication and hard work of those delivering some of those remarkable projects on the ground.  As usual, competition for the Awards was tough – more than 240 excellent projects were eligible to enter and, of those, only 20 were short-listed  for a prize in one of 5 categories.



Judges' comments:

"There is an emphasis on stories about the natural and historic heritage, drawing on experts from the Trust’s own committee as well as those involved in the Local History Society.”

"By drawing on the dedication, expertise and skills in all parts of the community, individuals can come together to improve the environment and make their local areas a better place to live.” 


Awards 2012 Wales Environment and Culture

Category Winner: Old Hall

Community action can achieve major projects more economically and more quickly than statutory authorities, result in great satisfaction for volunteers, as well as building the foundations of a distinctive community awareness.

The grounds of the Old Hall in Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan, had been neglected for decades by a unitary authority which couldn’t afford to maintain the impressive historic structures nor to improve the garden.

But Cowbridge Charter Trust (CCT) have used the efforts of volunteer action to transform the grounds into a beautiful community garden rich in biodiversity, as welcoming to wildlife as to human visitors.

CCT’s initial project was the restoration of the (Grade II listed) Town Walls which were in a ruinous state and overwhelmed by vegetation. The Vale Council commissioned a survey which estimated a repair cost of £406k; CCT did its own professional study and applied to the Council for a

Judges' comments:

"Excellent value achieved by a local group. Shows the power of an engaged community that wants to achieve something."

grant of £60k to carry out the work. This was achieved in 2011 to the satisfaction of CADW and within budget. The initial stages involved offenders from the local prison who were funded to do a masonry course.

Awards for Wildlife 2011

Vale of Glamorgan Biodiversity Partnership

Commended in Class 2: Cowbridge Charter Trust 

Mr Rob Cope pointing out to the Judges the renovations of the Town Wall and the recently planted lavender hedge on the raised walkway, while the other volunteers carry on working!

Chairman of the Old Hall Gardens subcommittee, Mrs Linda Osborn, showing the Judges the start of the Wild life meadow and the other work in progress.


Judges' comments:

"This project will provide a wildlife haven in the middle of Cowbridge. I was impressed with the number of projects that are being undertaken within a relatively small area and the wildlife meadow will certainly look striking when it is ready."


Judges' comments:

"The pond had very well thought-out features and you have clearly got very good advice on hand. Fish-free waters, however, would go a long way to improving the biodiversity."


Maintenance and improvement of Old Hall Gardens is one of the projects of the Cowbridge Chart Trust cio, registered Charity No: 1156293 www.cctrust.co.uk