The Prince of Wales Award, organised by the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), is now open for entries. 

The £1,000 Award celebrates community projects and small farm business diversification projects in Devon which are seeking to educate and involve young people in sustainable initiatives.

 The criteria reflect HRH The Prince of Wales’ personal enthusiasm for sustainability and community action, with a strong accent on youth.  

Recent winners include village-based initiatives to improve local facilities, a community shop, an allotment project, a health support group, an Exeter-based group developing community activities around their local park in Heavitree and last year’s joint winners, the Crediton Community Bookshop, and the Children’s Summer Club, Barnstaple. 

Dee Lalljee, manager of the Crediton Community Book Shop, said it was an honour to win the Award: “Recognition of the beneficial impact of our work in the community by this prestigious award has enabled us to expand and develop our outreach programme.” 

In the case of the Children’s Summer Club, organiser Christine Brennan said the Award will enable them to expand the use of their hall by starting a Food Bank for local needy families in partnership with Inspire South West. 

For the Devon County Agricultural Association, which hosts the awards and organises the presentation at its flagship event, the Devon County Show (May 17-19), the Award is a symbol of the wider role now played by the DCAA. 

“Our show now reflects the entire spectrum of rural life in Devon,” said DCAA Chief Executive Richard Maunder. “Community activity is an important part of that, whilst sustainability is an absolute must in everything we do. 

“Devon leads the way in community sustainability, and this award is an important way both of recognising existing initiatives and in encouraging new ones to develop and grow.  We want to cast the net as widely as possible, so if a project is local, is geared to sustainability and is making a difference, then we would encourage those concerned - including local schools - to have a go.” 

Entry forms for the Prince of Wales Award are available via the Devon County Show website.  http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/devon-county-agricultural-association/year-round-activity/prince-of-wales-award

Entries close on March 31.