One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards Winners!
On Wednesday, 26 February, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council proudly hosted the One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City.
The event celebrated the incredible individuals, organisations, and businesses that make a real difference in our local community.
This year, we received a record-breaking 183 nominations from the public - a true testament to the inspiring work happening across our borough!
Awards were presented across 14 categories, with the following outstanding winners:
- Mayor's Civic Award - Susanna Meteu
- Welwyn Hatfield Award for All – Anthony Parris
- Community Sports Club of the Year – Hatfield Hyde Cricket Club
- Public Service Hero – Alison Charles
- Young Sports Person of the Year – Lily Dabrowska
- Health and Wellbeing Champion – Sue Wilson
- Inspirational Young Person – Millie Sinnott
- Local Business of the Year – Herts Loves
- Young Volunteer of the Year – Jack Boyes
- Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation of the Year – Hatfield Library
- Community Culture Award – Hooves Group/ Hoovesfest
- Positive Change Award – Toby Crellin
- Climate and Environment Award – Adrian DeBaat and Ann MacDonald
- Volunteer of the Year – Sharon Hoy
The evening’s host was magician, entertainer and presenter, Michael J Fitch, who has performed all over the world and treated guests at the awards with some jaw-dropping table magic during the event’s two-course dinner!
Joining him onstage were the Mayor, Cllr Frank Marsh and borough council Chief Executive Ka Ng. The awards were then presented by a distinguished group of guests, including His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss CBE; High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster; gold medal winning paralympic swimmer and WGC resident, Louise Fiddes; the Leader of the Council, Cllr Max Holloway; Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Jane Quinton; Cabinet Members and borough councillors; and the fantastic sponsors of the event.
Guests were also entertained during the evening by talented Oaklands College Performing Arts students, singers Lewis Greenwood and Violet Baker as well as by ‘Living Tables’ (where guests were served from flowing skirts that fanned out like a circular table) and dancing mirror men, dressed head to toe in small mirrors!
Councillor Max Holloway, the Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development and Climate Change, said:
“I was delighted to attend the Community Awards. We all take inspiration from the winners and nominees, who've contributed so much to our community, and we celebrate their achievements, whether that’s in the arts, business, sport and or caring for our environment.
“A huge congratulations to all of the winners and nominees and thank you to everyone that was involved in organising the evening and helping to make the event such a success!”
Councillor Jane Quinton, Executive Member, Leisure and Community, commented:
“I was very impressed with the number of nominees that we received this year and it was great to hear about the hard work and determination our winners at the awards ceremony. They all, in their own ways, make a real difference to our community. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners.”
