Finalists revealed for first Herts Advertiser Community Awards
Herts Advertiser Community Awards 2015 judging panel Mandy Atkins, Putterills; Nicola Price, North Herts Homes; Phil Corrigan, The Maltings; Nadia Hayton, Oaklands College; Elizabeth King, The Maltings; Gerald Carey, Archant - Credit: Archant
The judges’ verdicts are in, and the finalists of the inaugural Herts Advertiser Community Awards can now be revealed.
To celebrate the Herts Advertiser’s 160th year of publication, we launched our inaugural Community Awards to honour people from all walks of life who do some good for the district.
The occasion of this landmark was just too good an opportunity to miss when it came to recognising those people who really make a difference in the district, and we have been blown away by the stories we have unearthed. Thanks to all those people who nominated someone for one of these awards, and also to our sponsors, without whom none of this would have been possible.
A panel of judges drawn from the local community met at the Maltings Shopping Centre last week to face the almost impossible task of evaluating the dozens of entries received.
With so many incredible stories of people who have given so much to improve our district it has been a tough task to narrow the entries down to a list of finalists!
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But a shortlist was finally drawn up, and we’re now ready to celebrate some of the best members and groups in our community, who strive to improve our local area and dedicate their time towards the betterment of other people’s lives.
The gala awards ceremony will be taking place on Tuesday September 8, from 6.30-9.30pm at The Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans.
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All of the finalists will be invited to the event, which includes a drinks reception and canapés and performances by some of our local talent. It will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter David Croft, and proceeds from a charity on the night will go towards Keech.
We spoke to some of the judges and sponsors to find out why they had become involved in this year’s awards.
Oaklands College principal Zoe Hancock said: “We see ourselves as part of the local community, recruiting students locally and running events that the whole community can enjoy, like our Lambing Weekend and Summer Fayre. So we are delighted to support these awards and recognise those who go the extra mile for their community.”
Ken Wright from KDW said: “Having run my business,in St Albans since 1978, I am an active member of the local community. I believe passionately in supporting the local economy and recognising individuals who achieve personally and professionally.”
Keech Hospice Care chief executive Mike Keel added: “As a local charity and your children’s hospice for Hertfordshire, Keech is delighted to be supporting the Herts Advertiser Community Awards. The fundraising and volunteering we receive from the community allows us at Keech to give the best care and support to very sick children and their families across the whole of Hertfordshire at the time in their lives when they need us most. Many people are often surprised to hear that we are the children’s hospice for Hertfordshire and so we are delighted to have the support of the Herts Advertiser to help raise awareness of our vital work.”
The finalists are:
Role Model of the Year
Caroline Atkins
Dom Hyams
Eva Higgins
Winifred Goulden
Charity Champions
Charlotte Knight
Caroline Atkins
Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants
Mark Columbus and Matt Fisher
Team FORGE
St Albans Cycle Team
McCarthy & Stone
Young Achiever
STAGS Rockin Pots
Eva Higgins
Sir John Lawes School
Oaklands College
Good Neighbour
Gill Molloy
Mohammad Akhtar
Colin Bower
Crouch Hall Crew
Service to the Community
Sister Sheila O’Reilly
Caroline Atkins
Anne Ross and Pamela Reitemeier
Carol Cahill
Andrew Mills
Lifetime Achievement
Sister Sheila O’Reilly
Caroline Atkins
Winifred Goulden
Janis Morse
Valiant Volunteer
Sister Sheila O’Reilly
Rotary Club of St Albans
Chris Leigh
Elisabeth Pestell
Andrew Mills
Parent in a Million
Clare Duran
Karen Snook
Chris Leigh
Great and Green
Sustainable St Albans
Harpenden Common and Jersey Farm Woodland Park
Aldwyck Housing Group and Whitbread PC
Sir John Lawes School
The Maltings Community Hero
Carol Cahill
Colin Bower
Gayeanne Allcock
Crouch Hall Crew
Janis Morse
David Orchard and Daniel Sizer
