Shrewsbury parish celebrate new status as 40th 'LiveSimply' Community

Some of the Bridgenorth LIvesimply team members

A group in Bridgenorth, Shrewsbury, has received a prestigious national award for their efforts to reduce their waste, support local community projects and improve the environment. Earlier this month, parishioners at St John's the Evangelist, presented their project - the fruition of over a year's work - to charity assessors, in the hopes of gaining a livesimply award.

The award, championed by the international development charity CAFOD, is only given to groups who have made significant sustainable changes.

Over the past year, the group has created a meditation garden in the church grounds and started a tree planting scheme. They have organised litter picking in the local cemetery and have linked with Hilley farm to support their woodland projects.

The group has also taken part in charity work including supporting the local Macmillan cancer appeal, holding a collection of plastic bottle tops for Birmingham Children's hospital and supporting parents who have recently arrived from overseas through their toddler group.

Due to their exceptional efforts, the group were awarded the status of being a livesimply group.

Two of the assessors, Eileen and Vin Brennan, said: "We spent a lovely day with St John's Parish, Bridgnorth for their Livesimply assessment. We spoke to Fr Iain and many parishioners about their Livesimply actions. The group were full of praise for the involvement of St John's Primary school.

"They have certainly met the criteria for the award which we were able to inform them at the end of the meeting."

Member of the group, Mary Gilbert, said: "We were delighted to receive the Livesimply Award and will be meeting in August to plan the next stage of our Livesimply Campaign."

There are now over 40 groups across England and Wales who have been presented with the award. They are hoping their example will inspire others to also take up a simpler way of living.

Find out how you can get involved at: www.cafod.org.uk/livesimply