Finalists revealed for first Herts Advertiser Community Awards

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!

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.

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