FROM rewilding to cargo bikes, from maintaining nature reserves and parks to using green products in the home, from rescuing wildlife to whole village litter picking strategies, local women have been working hard and making positive progress towards a more ecologically sound world and a friendlier LS29.

An awards evening organised by Ilkley Soroptimists and Ilkley Fairtrade Group supporting both COP 26 and International Women's Day, drew an audience to recognise the inspiration and hard work of local women.

Isobel Ashman, the town crier introduced the nominees as the MC and certificates were presented to the nominees by Ilkley Town Mayor Councillor Mark Stidworthy.

The judges included Karen Palframan, the chair of Ilkley Fairtrade Group, Isabel Ashman and Lindsay Green, Yorkshire Regional President of he Soroptimists.

Given the tight judging joint winners emerged, namely Debbie Davitt who established the Yorkshire Rewilding Network and Kath Steward of Climate Action Ilkley who was instrumental in establishing community orchards in Ben Rhydding and Ilkley whilst securing the Cargo Bike scheme in Ilkley town centre.

 

Wendy Palmer along with Lindsay Ackroyd represented Addingham with their work with the Daniel Palmer Nature Reserve and greener strategies in the home, whilst Loraine Hughes had made positive progress with Wharfedale Wombles to keep Burley-in-Wharfedale tidy.

Anne Palmer’s work with wildlife, Anne Eady’s planning with the South Bank Scheme, Glynis Mowat’s sterling work with the Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks and the environmental planning initiative of Cllr Val Halton were further Ilkley nominees.

The joint winners received a Fairtrade hamper which included goods from the Co-op and Tesco.

Karen Palframan stressed Fairtrade always had its focus on people and the planet. The certification standards have always included strict environmental criteria such as banning deforestation and harmful pesticides. She said by choosing Fairtrade products we are improving soil health, conserving water, planting trees and more capacity to adapt to the climate crisis.

One million trees worldwide have been planted by Soroptimists in their centenary year but Ilkley Soroptimist President Margaret Cook spoke of the importance of the environmental impacts on women and children’s health.

She said that in the media we hear a lot about climate action and environmental goals, but the Environmental Heroine award evening celebrated women who have worked tirelessly to try to fix them locally.