Welwyn Hatfield celebrates its local heroes at first ever Community Awards Ceremony

The awards highlighted and celebrated inspirational people, sport clubs, community organisations and businesses in the borough, recognising their achievements.

Nominations were made by residents, local sports clubs and youth organisations, with the winners decided by a panel of judges that included council officers, local community leaders and Councillors.

The Ceremony was opened by the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Councillor Pankit Shah and was attended by Hertfordshire’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Anthony Chapman, DL, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Liz Green, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC), Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Lynn Chesterman OBE and WHBC Chief Executive, Ka Ng.

The celebrations got underway with a performance by North Star Academy before thirteen awards were presented to the Borough’s local heroes.  The winners were:

• Mayor’s Civic Award: Angela Gaughan
• Welwyn Hatfield Award for All: Misya Meze Grill
• Community Sports Club of the Year: Platypus Swimming Club
• Young Sportsperson: Betty Brocklesby Sum
• Health and Wellbeing Champion: Ros Cramp Herts Disability Sports Foundation
• Inspirational Young Person: Ashley Owens
• Local Business of the Year: Hands on Day Centre
• Community Culture Award: H’Arts in Mind
• Climate Champion: Charlie Rose Hill
• Volunteer of the Year: Tony Lyall
• Young Volunteer of the Year: Evie Ludlow
• Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation of the Year: Sparks Café
• Climate and Environment Award: Charlie Rose Hill

Ashley Owens, winner of the Inspirational Young Person of the Year Award, raised more than £29,000 to help abandoned dogs by camping out for over 1,000 nights.  Ashley said that he was “very shocked” when his name was announced, and he was going to keep his “award in his room on display so that he can always be proud of himself”

Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Leader of WHBC said:

“I was delighted to attend the first ever Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards Ceremony and hear about the wonderful achievements and contributions that our residents, young people and local businesses and organisations make to our communities.  We are very luck to have so many amazing individuals in Welwyn Hatfield.  Many congratulations to all of the nominees and winners.  I would like to thank them all for the fantastic work that you are doing in our Borough

Councillor Lynn Chesterman OBE, Deputy Leader of the Council said: “Tonight’s awards were a recognition of the individuals and organisations that have excelled, gone above and beyond, overcome challenges and helped others.  I would like to add my congratulations to all of the nominees and winners”.

Councillor Pankit Shah, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield said: “I was proud to open the first ever Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards.  We have some amazing residents and organisations in our Borough who all contribute to improving the lives of other residents in their communities.  I would like to thank the officers at WHBC who made the Awards Ceremony happen and I would also like to thank all of our sponsors who have given so generously”.

The Awards Ceremony was sponsored by: BETTER, Continental Landscapes, Gracelands, ICS.AI, Jadu, Liberata, Oaklands College, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, the Welwyn Hatfield Community Fund and Urbaser.