Winners of the 2026 One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards Announced

The glittering event, hosted by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City, recognised the incredible individuals, organisations, clubs and businesses that make a real difference in our local community, with 166 nominations received across the 14 categories.

This year’s outstanding winners were:

• Community Sports Club - Platypus Swimming Club
• Health and Wellbeing Champion – JP Coaching  
• Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation of the Year – Red Kite Rape & Sexual Assault Service
• Community Culture Award – Knife Angel Project Team
• Inspirational Young Person – Wiktoria Jurczak
• Welwyn Hatfield for All – Hatfield Food Bank  
• Young Sports Person – Hazel Spitzer
• Young Volunteer of the Year – Abigail Haxhiu
• Local Business of the Year – Mill Green Golf Club
• Climate Champion and Environment Award – Beverley Ashcroft
• Mayor’s Civic Award – Lisa Hill  
• Volunteer of the Year – Francis Higgins
• Public Service Hero – Anthony Appadoo
• Positive Change Award - Paul Sorrell

The awards ceremony was opened by the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Cllr Lynn Chesterman OBE. The awards were then presented by a distinguished group of guests, including Marion Brown MBE JP, His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant; Nicholas Buxton, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire; Cllr Rose Grewal, the Leader of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council; Cllr Sandreni Bonfante, Deputy Leader of the Council; Cabinet Members, the Council’s Chief Executive, Ka Ng; and the fantastic sponsors of the event. WHBC’s Chief Executive, Ka Ng, also delivered a speech following a sit-down meal and the ceremony was brought to a close by His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Marion Brown MBE JP.

The host of the awards evening was magician, entertainer and presenter Michael J Fitch, who treated guests to some jaw-dropping table magic during the event’s two-course dinner.

Guests were also entertained during the evening by the talented jazz singer, Alex Jones as well as the ‘Living Tables’ (where guests were served from flowing skirts that fanned out like a circular table) and a mirror man and disco head, dressed head to toe in small mirrors! 

Councillor Rose Grewal, Leader of the Council and Executive Member, Planning, said:

“I was delighted to attend this year’s Community Awards and meet the truly deserving winners and nominees. They have contributed so much to our community, and it’s wonderful to come together and celebrate their achievements. The award categories really demonstrated that talent, hard work and community spirit are abundant in our borough.”

“A huge congratulations to all of the winners and nominees and thank you to our sponsors and everyone that was involved in organising the evening and helping to make the event such a success!”

Councillor Jane Quinton, Executive Member, Community and Leisure, commented:

“The awards ceremony was a very enjoyable evening, and it was great to find out more about the stories behind each nomination. The winners and nominees all, in their own ways, make a real difference to our community. Congratulations to them all and to everyone who helped make the evening such a special night.”