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| Hilary Ash with her Environmental Hero award, presented by the Mayor of Wirral |
The Cool Wirral Partnership is a collection of groups and individuals brought together by Wirral Borough Council to tackle climate change in Wirral. They held their first Awards evening on 25th September 2025, at Start-Yard in Birkenhead.
We were really pleased that Hilary Ash, Wirral Wildlife's Conservation Officer, was given the Environmental Hero award! See the submitted nomination details below. Other
nominees in that category included our good colleagues:
Anne Litherland (Merseyside Bat Group, New Ferry
Butterfly Park, Faiths4Change)
Mike Coffin (Prenton Dell Claypit project, by Prenton Rugby
Club)
Ayla Thompson (WBC Biodiversity officer - our speaker last
month)
Some other award categories were:
Best Collaboration between Public/Third sector and
private sector was
awarded to
- Also nominated, Cool Places of Worship
Community Action was given to Barbara Gleave for Wirral Repair
Cafe, with nominations also to
- Wirral
Environmental Network
- New
Ferry Butterfly Park
- Wallasey
Tree Planting Group
- Earth
Moves
It all goes to show that in Wirral, everyone involved
with the environment wears several hats and a lot of us know each other!
Congratulations to all the nominees!
For an insight into the work of the Cool Wirral Partnership read their recently launched third Climate Action Strategy:
Award: Environmental Hero
Name: Hilary Ash
How has this person demonstrated a commitment to climate action?
Hilary has been a steadfast guardian of Wirral’s natural environment for decades. Her deep-rooted commitment and tireless efforts have shaped and strengthened countless local environmental initiatives. From the Wirral Local Plan to our Local Wildlife Sites and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Hilary’s expertise has been instrumental in ensuring nature remains at the heart of decision-making.
Her encyclopaedic local knowledge and exceptional botanical expertise make her an irreplaceable resource for anyone working to protect and enhance our natural green spaces. Thanks to Hilary, the Wirral is greener, richer in biodiversity, and far better equipped to face the environmental challenges of the future. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of our landscapes, and her influence continues to inspire and guide those who share her passion for the natural world.
What impact have they had?
Due to Hilary's contributions, local environmental policies have been made stronger and more robust. She is always flying the flag for our environment and inspires others to do the same. Her commitment to protecting our natural world is unwavering, and she consistently goes above and beyond to champion biodiversity. Whether she's advocating for better environmental protections, mentoring the next generation of Wirral Wildlife recorders, or leading community initiatives, Hilary's passion and dedication shine through. She is a true environmental hero whose impact will be felt for years to come.
Complete list of all nominees and winners in the different categories
Environmental Hero – Hilary Ash
- Janet Wright
- Anne Litherland
- Ayla Thompson
- Rentu - Sean Gilchrist
- Alison Bailey Smith
- Mike Coffin
- Hilary Ash
Young Person Environmental Hero – Elizabeth Gadsdon
- Lily Grieves
- Caiden Meaney
- Elizabeth Gadsdon
Best Collaboration between Public/Third sector and private sector – Prenton Dell Claypit with Wirral Eco-schools
- Eddie Jones – Young Person Representative at United Nations Global Goals Week
- Wirral Make Fest with multiple organisations & individuals
- Cool Places of Worship – Events
- Prenton Dell Claypit/Prenton Rugby Club collaborating with National Grid and Wirral Eco-schools
Community Action – Barbara Gleave
- Wirral Repair Café
- Barbara Gleave - Wirral Repair Café
- Wirral Environmental Network
- Rentu
- Nicola Daniels - Quilt Stitch Social
- New Ferry Community Land Trust
- New Ferry Butterfly Park
- Wallasey Tree Planting Group
- Wirral Wombles
- Earth Moves
- Wirral Makefest
- Thriving Communities Programme
Climate Innovation – Kit Link
- Lonn Landis Ceramics
- Kit Link
Green Business of the Year – ReciproCity Wirral
- Make It Happen Birkenhead CIC
- Lonn Landis Ceramics
- Rentu
- Indigo – Rock Ferry
- Future Yard
- ReciproCity Wirral
Climate Creative Award – UK Unplugged
- Matthew Costall – Participation & Engagement Placement (Creative Youth Development)
- Transforming Land Transforming People (Earth Moves)
- Wild About Libraries
- Honeybee Project (young people from Creative Youth Development in collaboration with Urban Digital Honeybee Project)
- Purple Patch
- Tenderfoot Theatre CIC
- Stories of Nature
- UK Unplugged
Green Youth Award (group) – Cool Youth
- Cool Youth
- St Michael’s Eco Warriors
- Wirral Met and CCC biodiversity collaboration
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