Newquay Community Orchard has received the prestigious President’s award from The King’s Foundation for its “Outstanding Contribution to Community Activities”.
The awards scheme involves candidates being nominated by individuals and by The King’s Foundation, with winners chosen by the Royal Founding President, His Majesty King Charles III.
The objective is to share best practices and raise awareness of legacy activities across the UK.
Newquay Community Orchard CEO Charlotte Hill was invited to the King’s Foundation Annual Event with colleagues from the Duchy of Cornwall to accept the honour in Aberdeen on 24th September.
She shared news of the accolade at the Orchard’s recent Volunteer Celebration in tribute to the wonderful commitment made by volunteers, students and staff with sincere thanks for everyone’s continued hard work in supporting the community, past and present.
Newquay Community Orchard is a community-led green space on seven acres of Duchy of Cornwall land between Newquay and Nansledan focused on sustainability, education, mental health and social well-being.
The King’s Foundation celebrated landowners, developers and related organisations from across the country at its annual Building a Legacy awards event at Elsick House, Aberdeen.
Building a Legacy is an initiative which brings together thought leaders and new ideas in sustainable urbanisation. Through the project, The King’s Foundation engages landowners and other professionals to create mixed-use, mixed income and walkable communities for future generations to enjoy.
Charlotte Hill said: “Newquay Community Orchard couldn’t be prouder to receive this prestigious award and are committed to creating an environment where individual differences and the contributions of everyone are recognised, celebrated, and valued. We believe that health and wellbeing is the foundation for achieving our purpose and that a connection with nature is of mutual benefit and helps all of us to heal, stay well and thrive.”
Sam Kirkness, Nansledan Development Manager at the Duchy of Cornwall, which has supported the Orchard since it was first established almost 10 years ago, said: “This is terrific recognition of the hard work, dedication, and passion that the Orchard team and hundreds of volunteers have poured into this project over almost the past decade. The Duchy of Cornwall is immensely proud to have supported the Orchard since its inception, and we are excited to continue this partnership, helping it grow and positively impact the community for years to come.”
Charlotte Hill added that as a Community Interest Company (CIC), Newquay Community Orchard’s mission is to raise funds, together with any surplus generated from operating activities, to be reinvested into education, skills, wellbeing, conservation, and food programmes, but said there is a way to go to achieve this. She said the Orchard was grateful to those, with particular thanks to The Duchy of Cornwall, whose unwavering support enables the organisation to continue to deliver community activities, education and support well into the future.
