Awards

In 1999 the group was runner-up in the Bexley Environmental Challenge, winning the top category award for nature conservation. Since then, the volunteers have worked in partnership with Bexley Council officers to draw up detailed management plans for the site. Numerous suggestions and ideas for enhancing EWOS have been agreed and will gradually be implemented.

During 2001, EWOS was inspected and won a Green Flag Award, which was publicly announced in November. Among the strengths reported by the judges were:

• the good nature conservation policies in place,
• the very high level of community involvement,
• a sound policy and plan for maintenance, combating litter and vandalism.
• marketing information was also reported as good.

Green Flag Awards have subsequently been awarded in 2002-2004; these reflect the degree of improvements and standard of maintenance carried out.