We were honoured to receive the Enterprise Award at the annual Pride of Stevenage Awards on Saturday 28 October, for our work to secure the future of Astonbury Wood.

The award, sponsored by biz4Biz, is for an organisation which supports the local economy and jobs, and recognised the Trust taking ownership of a long-term lease of the "rare and irreplaceable" Astonbury Wood. The Trust purchased the 125-year lease after major public fundraising to secure the 54-acre ancient woodland and the judges recognised that the new nature reserve is a delightful place for people to both experience and improve prospects for wildlife in Stevenage.

The Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Myla Arceno, other local dignitaries, business leaders and residents attended the event. Chief Executive of Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Lesley Davies picked up the Enterprise Award, and said:

“It is wonderful to receive this award and I would like to recognise the fantastic support we had from Aston Parish Council and the local community in promoting the fundraising campaign to buy the long-term lease for Astonbury Wood. We are enormously grateful to them and to all those individuals, groups and organisations that gave so generously to the appeal.

“Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve is a very special place for wildlife, where local residents can escape the bustle of urban life and benefit from being outdoors. We want to enable families to explore and be inspired to care for this important ancient woodland for generations to come.”

Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve provides a rich wildlife habitat and one which is unique to ancient woodland, having developed very special flora and fauna over hundreds of years. Predominantly Oak and Hornbeam, it is home to beautiful woodland flowers such as Wood Anemone, and is carpeted with Bluebells each spring, whilst in autumn it is nationally recognised for the many hundreds of species of fungi. Butterflies, mammals, amphibians and woodland birds also abound, such as Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch.

The Trust plans to help visitors learn about the wildlife, as they follow a network of established paths that run through the woodland and has recently appointed a Wilder Woodlands Officer, Iain Ward to focus on its vision for the site and involve local people. Over the next two years, Iain will lead the new Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund at Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve and six other key woodlands managed by the Trust.

Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council and chair of the judges, said:

“These special awards allow us to pay tribute, once a year, to a few of our local heroes – people and organisations that enhance the lives of hundreds of people all over Stevenage every day.

“Ours is a great town and there are fantastic things going on here. Some pretty amazing people are making things happen, making things better, and making a real difference to Stevenage life.”

For more information about how the money was raised to secure the future of this ancient woodland site and to discover our vision for its future click here. You can also find out more about visiting Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve here.