COMMUNITY AWARDS: Friend of the Environment’s win a ‘surprise and pleasure’

The winner of the Friend of the Environment award at last year’s County Times Community Awards called his recognition ‘a surprise and a pleasure’.
JPCT 20-11-12 S12470218X Horsham. West Sussex County Times. Community Awards 2012. Brendon Sewill, Friend of the Environment -photo by Steve CobbJPCT 20-11-12 S12470218X Horsham. West Sussex County Times. Community Awards 2012. Brendon Sewill, Friend of the Environment -photo by Steve Cobb
JPCT 20-11-12 S12470218X Horsham. West Sussex County Times. Community Awards 2012. Brendon Sewill, Friend of the Environment -photo by Steve Cobb

Brendon Sewill is the chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, a volunteer group that works against developments at the West Sussex airport.

Brendon’s support of the environment earned him last year’s Community Award, and he praised the nature of the awards ceremony evening.

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He said: “There were a lot of very public-spirited people who had done wonderful work, and it was very humbling to find myself among them.

“I felt that it was a recognition for the GACC. We have lots of people who do different aspects of work so I was really there representing them.”

Brendon has campaigned to protect the Gatwick area from over-development for 60 years.

He explained that the Community Awards evening highlighted the positive work that takes place in the Horsham district, and celebrated the community champions.

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He said: “I thought it was very effective and very impressive in demonstrating the amount of good work that goes on in and around Horsham.

“So many people give up so much time to help others without any thought of recognition or payment, so it is very impressive to see them all recognised.”

With Gatwick Airport’s plans to install a second runway gathering momentum in recent months, Brendon’s environmental campaigning will be as significant as ever.

He added: “I think a great many people in and around West Sussex think it is just another strip of concrete. There will need to be more houses, schools, hospitals and roads.”

Do you know a Friend of the Environment to follow in Brendon’s footsteps? See this week’s County Times for nomination details.