At the 2009 Conjoint Diocesan Synod the Bishop presented the first awards to four winning parishes. Each winner received a plaque, certificate and beech tree.
In the Category of Capital Project - Attentiveness to the environment during capital improvement
Freshford Parish (Kilkenny Group of Parishes)
The award was presented to Dean Norman Lynas and Revd. Elaine Murray on behalf of the parish.
Freshford Parish undertook major restoration work to their ancient church and installed a solar powered heating system which now keeps both the Church and parish centre at a comfortable 18oC.
In the Category of Environmental Diligence - Environmental Consciousness within the parish.
Leighlin Group of Parishes (Grange Sylvae Church)
The award was presented to Dean Gordon Wynne and Ms Emily McDonald (Grange Sylvae Church) on behalf of the Group.
The Parish church of Grange Sylvae hosts a spectacular display of cowslips during the summer months. Parish members gathered the precious seeds and offered their produce to other parishes within the Diocese which had the appropriate soil type and conditions suited to the cowslip. Seeds were packaged and made available to Synod members and were collected enthusiastically by parish representatives.
In the Category of Motivation of the Young - The development of educational projects and the motivation of the under 18s
Carlow Group of Parishes (2009 Confirmation Class)
The award was presented to Revd. Olivia Williams and members of the Confirmation class who are now students at Kilkenny College.
The Confirmation Class spent an afternoon visiting a local property which hosts saddleback pigs whose home is natural forest. The class were introduced to both the environmental and historical value of the property and presented reports on their visit. Such was their praise and enthusiasm that a visit for other parish members was organised.
In the Category of Church Environs - The development and maintenance of church environs.
Stradbally Parish (Lismore Group of Parishes)
The award was presented to Dean Paul Draper, Revd. Isobel Jackson, and representatives from the Parish.
Stradbally parishioners have been protecting the ancient ruins within the graveyard over many years. Tree replacement and the excellent maintenance of the graveyard together with the dedication to the protection of this ancient site makes Stradbally deserved winners of this category.
Unfortunately there was no entry received in the Category of Global Awareness however, much work has been initiated by organisations within the Diocese which the Bishop acknowledges as unsung winners in this area.
