A packed ceremony saw the Council Chairman’s Community & Business Awards given to local people who have made a big difference in their community on Wednesday night.
The Awards were organised in partnership with, the Volunteer Centre Bath & North East Somerset, CURO (formally Somer Community Housing Trust), the Student Community Partnership and the Quest project.
Councillor Rob Appleyard, Chairman of Council, said, “We’d like to congratulate everyone who was put forward for these awards by their communities and thank those people who have taken the time to make nominations. They have been recognised as people who make a positive contribution to their local community, put people first, and inspire. Bath & North East Somerset Council and its partners want to recognise the hard efforts that people put into improving their area. These Awards celebrate local achievement and highlight my theme for the year – people really do matter.”
Volunteer of the Year:
Winner: Sonia Delaunay volunteers at the local Age UK, and runs a number of music and movement classes for older people wanting to stay active and keep fit. Sonia encourages people to remain as active as possible.
Highly Commended: Dave Cable, volunteer at Community @ 67, Keynsham. Barry Hulme, Volunteer at the Carers Centre, Radstock.
Young Volunteer of the Year:
Sharareh Houshmandyar has taken what she has learned to help others integrate more easily into the university community whilst contributing towards various charities and worthy causes. George Adams-Hynes said “Sharareh deserves this award in acknowledgment of the hard work and effort”.
Good Neighbour of the Year:
Winner: Aubrey Willcox from Clutton, has been described as one of the most kind and caring people that you could hope to meet. Mrs Hazell who nominated Aubrey said “My husband died two years ago and for a number of weeks up to his death, Aubrey either visited or phoned every day to enquire about him and offer to help. Afterwards he ensured that I could cope and still does so now. He does this for many others too.”
Highly Commended: Christine Lennon has been delivering Meals on Wheels for 22 years in Bath.
Volunteer Leader of the Year:
Winner: Trisha Williams runs a voluntary organisation called Butterflies Haven which provides support for young people who are somewhere on the Autistic Spectrum. Described as a pioneer, Trisha has developed a support network for not only the parents but the siblings as well.
Highly Commended: Clare Hudson is the Chair of Community @ 67, Keynsham. Scott Rogers is the director of Zenith Youth Theatre Company.
Young Volunteer of the Year:
Winner: Adam Bidgood has been doing voluntary work with a young football team with the support of Curo, with whom he is now doing an apprenticeship.
Highly commended: Hanna Wade, University of Bath.
Lifetime Achievements:
Winner: Adrian Inker, former Bath & North East Somerset Council councillor, who has served the Keynsham community tirelessly over many years.
Volunteer Team of the Year:
Winner: Paulton Hospital Charity Shop, Terry and Caroline Wynne and their volunteer helpers have been described as dedicated and hard working. Mr and Mrs Curtis said, “They have made a vast difference to our community in Paulton, what would we do without these people in our lives.”
Highly commended: Fareshare Bath and the Volunteers of Holburne Museum.
Young Volunteer Team of the Year:
Winner: Peasedown St John Youth Hub, Alison Wells, explained why she thought the Youth Hub deserved an Award “The young people involved have demonstrated very high levels of creativity, commitment and enthusiasm. They are a credit to their Youth Hub, their village and the wider community.”
Highly commended: Three Ways & Somer Valley FM Paralympic Flame Broadcast Team.
Business of the Year Award:
Winner: BMT Isis have offices based in Bath and other parts of the UK, and provide technical consultants who provide specialist advice in Maritime and Transport, Energy and Resources, Defence and Offshore Renewable Energy. The last two years BMT Isis has provided a working team to undertake a community project.
Organisation of the Year:
Winner: Bath Mind is an independent voluntary organisation that works towards improving the life of those people who are suffering from or who have suffered mental ill health.
Special Quest Awards:
Ceris Troakes receives the Special Quest Award for her work with the Big Issue Foundation and supporting vendors to begin on the path towards achieving a qualification.
Jane Flower for her perseverance in restoring the Church Tower at St Thomas A Beckett Church in Pensford.
Spencer Hancock for being an exceptional Volunteer leader, inspiring people to get involved and maintaining a strong volunteer team.
Wansdyke Scouts Adult Leader Team for their on-going commitment to young people, helping them to understand their responsibilities in the community and teaching them new skills.
