25 Jun 2025
With nominations flying in for the second Ember Designs Eco Award of the year, the judges have claimed it was the toughest decision to date.
After much deliberation, congratulations go to Anna Barrett, eco-lead of the United Reform Church in Chiswell Green.
Anna is a tireless champion for all things ‘green’ and her list of achievements is certainly impressive and has proved more than worthy of the award.
Anna has planned, negotiated and implemented the sustainability design of the new building at the church along with the stunning wildlife meadow within the grounds.
Alongside that, she is also a keen activist and has attended many national climate and nature protests along with local community groups over the years.
Anna also flies the flag for nature and climate within the leadership of her own congregation, and in her area group of churches, helping to promote and encourage sustainability within the district.
These include study and prayer courses on creation care, which she shares with other local churches in addition to arranging screenings of environmentally-focused films such as Wilding for the local community.
She is also certified Carbon Literate.
Anna was presented with her award by the awards founder, Lee Wood and his daughter Eleanor at a special ceremony last week and was characteristically humbled by the recognition.
“I had very mixed feelings when I learned that I was to receive an Ember Designs Eco Award. My initial excitement and delight was soon followed by a profound feeling of unworthiness when I remembered the previous recipients and all the amazing things they had done. I felt I had not done nearly enough to deserve it.
“But then I was reminded of a cartoon I saw some time ago that said, in reference to the environmental crisis, ‘If we wait for the Government, it will be too late… if we act as individuals, it will be too little… if we act as communities, it might just be enough’.
“I realised it really did not matter how little I felt I had achieved what mattered was that the little I had done was within a number overlapping communities.
“From A Rocha’s Eco Church Program to Green Christians, from the Ver Valley Society to the Herts and Middlesex Butterfly Conservation Society, from Wilderhood Watch to Sustainable St Albans, all of whom I touched base with over the last six years. So, my overarching feeling is one of gratitude, I thank God for the wonderful environmental activist groups in our city and all I have learned though them.
“I believe that if we all do our best to keep doing little things and encourage other individuals in the communities around us to do little things we can have a hope for the generations that follow us.”
Lee Wood reiterated the importance of community champions like Anna and said the awards are growing in importance each year.
“The nominations we’ve been receiving this year alone has shown me just how much amazing work is happening in St Albans.
“Anna is just one example of this – but what an example she’s proven to be. Upon further research, the judges were absolutely blown away by her commitment.
“We’re getting upwards of 20-30 nominations each time we launch each new award and the true diversity of this wonderful district has really come to the forefront.
“These awards are something to celebrate and help champion those who have the courage and opportunity to tackle local climate issues.”
With two accolades having already been presented in 2025, the next window to submit your nominations will be in conjunction with the third Sustainable St Albans SustFest weekend this September.
Keep an eye out for more details nearer the time.
