Kop Hill Climbs takes the South East AMT title

14 July 2010

Announced at 'Towns Alive in the South East', held at Faringdon's Corn Exchange in Oxfordshire,  the Awards are organised by Action for Market Towns (AMT). Faringdon's ECOWEEK won the national title in 2009.

Winner of the Environment & Culture category, the Kop Hill Climb took place in September 2009. Kop Hill Climb was a famous venue for motorsport road racing between 1910 and 1925. The project was a commemorative revival of the famous Hill Climb, designed to involve the community in raising the profile of Princes Risborough and boost economic activity.

From a blank canvas, a team of six planed the project over 15 months, tackling everything from risk assessment, road closure and speed limits to arranging grandstand and viewing platforms, signage, marketing and event promotion. BMMC ran the hill climb, involving 250 veteran, vintage and classic cars right up to a 2009 Bugatti Veyron. Covered by television and the motorsport press, the revival was a resounding success, attracting more than 5,000 spectators during the two days and raising £47,000 against costs of £17,000.

The Kop Hill Climbs goes on to present to a wider audience at the AMT National Convention in Chippenham from October 12-13, where the national winner will be announced. Planned again for autumn, this year’s Kop Hill Climb will mark the centenary.

Chair of SERTP, Frances Stokes, said: "This was an astonishing project, in terms of how much this team took on, and a worthy winner. It ticked all the boxes regarding boosting the economy, heritage and innovative planning. The ambitious team’s sheer hard work paid off, as can be see by the amount it generated. It was nothing short of inspirational.

The other category finalists were:

The project raises the profile of local food and craft by spotlighting the process of local food production from producer/grower to consumer, highlights local rural industries, has encouraged new food business to the town and has resulted in existing businesses choosing to stock local.

The original building has been completely refurbished  and extended. The town council has taken over the facility, employing attendants for opening hours. It has provided a well designed, clean and functional environment, which benefits both the community and tourists.

The first Caterham Festival comprised a six-week arts and cultural Festival in May 2009. Based around the existing Town Carnival, 72 new events were added, more than half free, including a street party, art exhibitions/lessons, music lessons and an open Caterham Weekend.