It’s easy sometimes to think of ‘Defence’ only in terms of aircraft, tanks and warships. In fact it’s really about people, some working on the front line while others work behind the scenes. My name is Iain Perkins and I’d like to tell you about some of those people who work for, or with the MOD in things like conservation, heritage, or energy efficiency.
Sanctuary magazine is a yearly publication. The latest edition is now available online. It’s produced by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and is dedicated to everything related to the sustainable management of both the natural and built environment across the defence estate. DIO looks after many hundreds of sites both in the UK and abroad. Some include important wildlife habitats, archaeological remains or buildings of historic importance.
A few days ago I was at MOD Main Building for the annual Sanctuary Awards. They give the MOD the opportunity to recognise some of the amazing work that people do in terms of conservation, land management or sustainability. This year they were hosted by Defence Minister Mark Lancaster and DIO’s new Chief Executive Graham Dalton. The quality of this year’s winners has maintained the high standards we have grown accustomed too and I’d like to give a mention to some of the winners but also some of the runners-up.
![The Sanctuary Awards winners and runners up with DIO Chief Executive Graham Dalton and Defence Minister Mark Lancaster. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/12/20161208-Winners-and-runners-up-with-Graham-Dalton-and-Mark-Lancaster.jpg)
![The Silver Otter, given to the overall winner. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/12/sanctuary_45-Awards.jpg)
Individual Award
This year the Silver Otter prize went to Bob Haycock who has spent over thirty years working as a volunteer on various conservation projects in South Wales.
![Bob Haycock collecting his Individual Achievement Award from Defence Minister Mark Lancaster. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/12/20161208-Bob-Haycock-winning-the-Individual-Award-for-Castlemartin-Conservation-Group-work.jpg)
The runner-up in the individual category was Phillip Dawe. He led the project to restore ‘Building 27’ – the original sector Ops room at RAF Northolt. It dates back to 1936 and was instrumental as part of the ‘Dowding System’ of air defence during the Battle of Britain. Philip has spent the last nine years working tirelessly to make sure it was preserved. Without his mammoth contribution it would almost certainly have been lost. Often projects like this one need a champion, someone to act as a focus both to get things started and then keep them going.
Phillip’s efforts have also inspired others. He came up with the idea of ‘Night Photo-shoots’ where aviation enthusiasts could photograph aircraft visiting RAF Northolt. This initiative rose over £120,000 towards the cost of the ops room restoration and the same idea is now being used elsewhere.
Heritage Award
All the winners deserved their accolades and none more so than all those involved in efforts to save a 4,000 year old Bronze Age barrow and its treasures, which faced destruction from burrowing badgers. This project included Wessex Archaeology, Landmarc Support Services and former service men and women from Operation Nightingale.
![The Netheravon Barrow Rescue team collecting their Heritage Award. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/12/20161208-Netheravon-Barrow-Rescue-team-winning-Heritage-Project-award.jpg)
I’ve been editing Sanctuary magazine for four years, and I never ceased to be amazed by the achievements of all the people involved with these projects. From energy conservation and archaeology to land management and wildlife conservation the level of expertise and dedication is impressive. So this year’s awards are over, and the magazine has been published, but soon we’ll begin working on Sanctuary 2017.
4 comments
Comment by Telboy posted on
Well done Iain. A good article and another quality edition of Sanctuary. Your efforts shouldn't go unnoticed!
Comment by helenpickering posted on
Thank you! We'll pass your kind words on to Iain.
Comment by Nick Galley posted on
Inspiring stuff. Hi Iain,May I ask how one gets involved in volunteering in any form involving wildlife on Spta, I already have a good knowledge of the areas near me and regularly look for invertebrates, birds and especially Fairy shrimps. Yours Sincerely Nick Galley. nickgalley7@gmail.com
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Nick, thanks for your interest! We've passed your details on to Iain so hopefully you should be hearing from him.