Choose your waterway heroes!

There is just one month to go to nominate someone for the so-called inland waterway Oscars.

There is just one month to go to nominate someone for the so-called inland waterway Oscars.

The Waterways Renaissance Awards recognise the best waterway development schemes around the country.

The final prizes are handed out at a glitzy ceremony in London, with celebrities such as waterways enthusiast John Craven and others present. The awards are organised by The Waterways Trust and BURA.

Craven, who is vice-president of The Waterways Trust, said: “These awards have honoured some of the most innovative, inspired and imaginative waterway regeneration schemes of the last three years – schemes that have delivered social, economic, educational and environmental benefits to their local communities.”

The ten categories include two new classifications for 2006:

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Innovation (new for 2006) – sponsored by ARUP
Strategy & Masterplanning (new for 2006) – sponsored by the Wood Wharf Limited Partnership
Area-based Regeneration – sponsored by Land & Water Group
Community – sponsored by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Design & Construction – sponsored by ISIS Waterside Regeneration
Education & Learning – sponsor Regeneration & Renewal
Historic Environment – sponsored by Historic Scotland
Natural Environment – sponsored by English Nature
Partnership – sponsored by Morrison Construction Services Ltd
Recreation & Tourism – sponsored by S&N Pub Enterprises

Entries in all categories must meet the following general criteria:

Be located on, or immediately adjacent to, a navigable inland waterway in the UK;
Be innovative and inspiring, providing the catalyst for other projects or schemes;
Meet the objectives of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic;
Enhance the use and enjoyment of the waterway;
Demonstrate active participation by an appropriate range of partners;
Demonstrate a proven track record of success

To submit an entry, visit http://firsthand.bura.org.uk and follow the online entry process. Alternatively call BURA on 0207 539 4030 or email awards@bura.org.uk.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 5 October 2005.