Community groups, schools, businesses and organisations who have gone the extra mile to improve their local environment have been celebrated at a national awards ceremony.
Since 1990, the Tidy Wales Awards have given Keep Wales Tidy the opportunity to shine a light on unsung environmental heroes across the country.
The 2024 awards ceremony, sponsored by Wales and West Housing, celebrated groups and individuals from across Wales at a prestigious award ceremony held in Cardiff on Wednesday (11 September), hosted by presenters, Chris Jones, and Donna Ali.
The Tidy Wales Awards 2024 winners:
Friends of Parc Nant-y-Waun
Award for Nature’s Heroes sponsored by Transport for Wales
Friends of Anglesey Coast Path
Beautiful Coast Award sponsored by Archer Technology Group
Llangattock Litter Pickers
Caru Cymru (‘Love Wales’) Community Award sponsored by Helping Hand Environmental
Adullam Homes, Denbighshire
Caru Cymru (‘Love Wales’) Business Award sponsored by Berry Global
Ysgol Pen Rhos
Eco-Schools Innovation Award sponsored by Second Life Products Wales
The Co-Star Partnership
Circular Economy Innovation Award sponsored by CEIC
Hope St Mellons
Community Food Growing Award sponsored by The Moondance Foundation
Brighter Futures
Community Transformation Award sponsored by Huws Gray
The Livings Seas Youth Forum
Youth Climate Change Champion Award sponsored by Blake Morgan LLP
Michael Barnfather
Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by Bute Energy
The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Michael Barnfather from Monmouthshire. For two decades Michael has worked tirelessly to keep his neighbourhood tidy, facing all weathers to litter pick across a large area of Monmouthshire. Aged 90, he continues to amaze local residents with his efforts and can regularly be seen walking long distances, inspiring other families to join his efforts and get involved.
Speaking at the ceremony, Michael said he was shocked to be going home with two awards:
“I didn’t expect to win anything really, because there were so many other great nominees.”
This year’s event featured speeches from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, as well as a discussion on activism by Keep Wales Tidy ambassador and youth board member, Kate Strong and Ela Lloyd. Anne Hinchey, Group Chief Executive of title sponsor, Wales and West Housing, provided a closing speech ahead of presenting the final Outstanding Achievement Award.
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire said:
“Wales has a remarkable tradition of community action, and I feel fortunate to live in a country that supports and celebrates the efforts of those who drive such initiatives. It’s true to say that Keep Wales Tidy could not do what we do without the tireless work of volunteers, community groups, schools and organisations like those celebrated at this year’s Tidy Wales Awards.
“In an uncertain world, the passion and commitment of these unsung heroes provides real hope, and drives tangible, positive change in our communities. To our 2024 winners, I extend my warmest congratulations; your work exemplifies the very best of what we can achieve together.”
