Basingstoke 'Place To Be Proud Of'
About The Place To Be Proud Of Awards
The Place to be Proud of Awards are organised by Destination Basingstoke and are supported by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Festival Place, with media partners, Gazette Newspapers Kestrel FM and BBC Radio Berkshire.
They recognise the contributions made by individuals, groups, organisations, places and initiatives that make our borough a diverse, vibrant community and a great place to live and do business. Individual categories are sponsored by locally-based businesses.
This Year's Winners announced on 23 May 2010 are....
Art and Culture Individual Award, sponsored by Computer 2000
Winner: Christine Bradwell
Christine Bradwell has been Chief Executive of the Anvil Arts Trust for the last 11 years and has been central to the development of the Anvil’s reputation as an international concert venue.
In recent years she has overseen the successful integration of the Haymarket into the organisation increasing the breadth of audiences. She has also recently helped establish the Cultural Forum. Her work has ensured the continuing support of funding partners and the Arts Council to ensure that Basingstoke continues to have a cultural offer to be proud of.
Christine Bradwell has worked tirelessly over the past 10 years to nurture the arts in Basingstoke through the Anvil Trust. She has steered the integration of the Anvil Concert Hall and Haymarket Theatre into one organisation and ensured its financial stability allowing the full refurbishment of the Haymarket to make it a venue to be proud of. Her continued enthusiasm and ambition to make Basingstoke a centre for the arts has made Christine a worthy winner of this award. Computer 2000
Arts & Culture Group Award, sponsored by Computer 2000
Winner: Proteus Theatre Company
Proteus is a professional touring theatre company based in Queen Mary’s College Basingstoke. It is growing in reputation both on a national and international scale through its work which spans almost thirty years. The Independent hailed them as “The Best of British from Basingstoke”.
The company also runs regular workshops for adults with physical disabilities and learning difficulties which provides individuals the chance to discuss and share common problems and feelings. Proteus also works with educational establishments and children’s services, on projects which engage young people who are no longer in education and often from deprived socio-economic backgrounds.
The Proteus Theatre Company has shown an exemplary ambition to foster the arts in Basingstoke and support the local community through various workshops including ‘Breakout’ for adults with Physical disabilities and learning disabilities and for young people who are no longer in education, often with complicated and deprived socio-economic backgrounds. Their continued effort and ambition to create original work in Basingstoke, for the people of Basingstoke and indeed around the world make The Proteus Theatre Company a deserved winner of this award. (Computer 2000)
Schools and Education Group Award, sponsored by AXA Winterthur Wealth Management
Winner: Ben Kinross
Ben Kinross has been employed by BCOT as Student Enrichment Officer for the past four years. In that time he has supported hundreds of students to reach their potential and gain self esteem and confidence through a range of extra curricular activities. Ben has helped students with volunteering opportunities to help the local community and assisted with numerous fundraising projects. Ben himself also finds time to help in the community and runs a weekly voluntary youth club in Andover where he works with over 200 young people a year.
"As last year, the judges were particularly
impressed with all of the entrants for this award. Out of all the
entries, however, Ben Kinross stood out the most. What impressed us was the diversity of his role,
assisting BCOT students to raise funds for a variety of charitable
organisations, as well as having a real 'hands on' approach to the College's
Learner Involvement Strategy. It was clear he was seen as an individual
that encourages others to develop the skills needed to take a full and active
role within the community. Through being inspirational, Ben has helped
empower individuals to contribute a positive voice to their
community". Paul Riddell Axa Winterthur
Good Citizen Award, sponsored by Gazette Newspapers
Winner: Basingstoke Multicultural Group for Women and Children
Basingstoke Multicultural Group for Women and Children is a group of women from different ethnic minorities who want to help the community they are living in. They have volunteered their time and effort over the past five years. Volunteers have worked on stories from their native culture, re-editing them to suit English children. One of their projects “Stories from Far Away” has entertained children in nurseries, preschool and Basingstoke library.
“The judges were impressed by the hard work of The Basingstoke Multicultural Group for Women and Children in breaking down barriers across different cultures by welcoming and supporting families from different backgrounds and languages into their supportive community”, Mark Jones, Editor, Basingstoke Gazette” Mark Jones, Editor, Basingstoke Gazette.
Young Achiever Award, sponsored by The University of Winchester and GAME
Winner: Dawn McCrum
Dawn McCrum is studying hairdressing at BCOT and started her course in 2007. She has been disciplined on various occasions and despite some issues in 2007/8 during the academic year she has gradually matured and was instrumental in assisting with the merger of two tutor groups supporting her tutor. She has also helped other members of the group put together their portfolios, demonstrating her exceptional organisational and leadership skills and has a gift for bringing out the best in people.
Paul Chamberlain, Director of Regional Academic Programmes commented:
"The University of Winchester is strongly committed to working closely with Destination Basingstoke. We welcome the opportunity to sponsor the Young Achiever category of the Place to be proud of awards. The nominations were all of a good standard and reflect the high level of aspiration and achievement by young people in the Borough."
“Game is delighted to be a sponsor of the Place to be Proud of awards again this year and were very impressed with the winner of this year's Young Achiever award Dawn, who is a great example of someone who has overcome adversity and is successfully achieving her goals” Vivienne Hemming
Good Neighbour Award, sponsored by Sovereign Kingfisher
Winner: Mary Silver
Mary Silver is in her 60’s and makes a lot of time for her neighbours. She visits elderly neighbours to make sure they are alright and has even cleared pathways for all her neighbours during the snow this year.
"We (Sovereign Kingfisher) thought Mary showed true community spirit by constantly considering others before herself. She has shown this through her regular visits to an elderly neighbour to check on their well being. Mary is a fine example of what makes a good neighbour, someone who is caring and has a ‘heart of gold’!"
Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Fred Bernsten is a caring individual who has dedicated 37 years of his life to running Loddon Sports Junior Football club. He encourages players with his boundless enthusiasm and does an amazing job for the community. Despite being in his seventies now he remains as active and supportive as when he first became involved.
“ Fred has dedicated an
amazing 37 years of his life to running the Loddon Sports Football Club and has
inspired many young people through his coaching over the years. He is an absolute credit to the Basingstoke community and his award is well deserved.” Cllr Clive Sanders,Basingstoke
and Deane Borough Council.
Green Hero Award, sponsored by Queen Mary’s College and Vitacress
Winner: Christine Aymes
Christine Aymes decided to start a community group looking after the parks, enhancing their biodiversity value. The group was launched in January 2009 and by the end of the calendar year was fully constituted, had its own website and has a full programme of events - in additional to monthly litter picks planned throughout the coming year.
“We admired Christine’s initiative for initially approaching the Council to discuss ways of solving the problem and then for her determination to take the matter further so enthusiastically by forming the community group.” Mike Rushworth Vitacress
“Christine Aymes’ initiative and drive in improving her local community make her a true Green Hero. We were all impressed by her inclusive approach to creating and driving the campaign which has engaged both youth groups and the wider community at large through practical events and raising public awareness.
Queen Mary’s College has a long standing commitment to both promoting sustainable development within our student body and building links with our surrounding community. We are delighted and proud to have the opportunity to sponsor, jointly with Vitacress, the Green Hero award and were extremely impressed by the standard of the nominations.” Stephen Sheedy QMC
Health and Care Award, sponsored by Eli Lilly
Winner: June Balcombe, Jan Lefley and Alberto Culver
Alberto Culver, June Balcombe and Jan Lefley have made a significant contribution to the health and care of the community by raising awareness of prostate cancer and other cancers that affect the male population, and they have also directly had a major impact on fundraising into research on male cancers, through their creation, organisation and support of the annual Basingstoke Alberto Culver Run4Fun4Men. This event, which takes place at Down Grange in Basingstoke in early May, was started in 2002 by Jan and June. The Race for Life for women and girls had been established in Basingstoke for three years, but there was nothing for men and boys to actively get involved in. So Jan and June created the Run4Fun4Men - a 5km event for men and boys of all ages. Alberto Culver, a major Basingstoke-based international hair care products company, became involved in the event after the first couple of years, and its support has been very significant as it has covered the costs of putting the event on, meaning that all the money raised goes directly to Cancer Research. The company's male employees also get actively involved in the event by entering a team every year.
“Lilly is delighted to have been involved again with the Place to be Proud
of Awards. All the nominations were very impressive and inspiring. We
chose the Run4Fun4Men because it was a great example of how a few people
can make such a difference to a community. Not only does the run raise
awareness of male cancer across the borough, it also encourages local
residents to take part to keep healthy and raise funds for research. It is
a unique Basingstoke community event that is clearly established and
supported by local people and business." Rick Ascroft
Ambassador Award, sponsored by Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust
Winner: Robert Tobin
Robert Tobin is the first Basingstoke male to win a World Athletics Championship Medal (silver in 4 x 400m in 2009). He is a member of the England Athletics National Squad and is a regular member of the Basingstoke AC team in the National League. He hopes to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, gaining medals in the European, Commonwealth and World Championships.
“Robert is a world class athlete and hopefully will be starring at the London Olympics. He is an excellent role model for young people in Basingstoke and gives freely of his time to encourage and motivate others and put the town on the map.” Mary Edwards
Judges Special Award, sponsored by Absolutely Offices
Winner: David Holby
David Holby is a dedicated athlete who is a credit to Basingstoke. He is attempting to row round the world on a static rowing machine for The Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity. His challenge will take him around three years when completed and he rows for seven or eight hours a day, five days a week in the Malls in Basingstoke. He will also gain a new Guinness World Record if he succeeds in rowing the 44,075km.
He is always delighted to talk to anyone who passes and is known by hundreds of people in Basingstoke. He has already dedicated a huge amount of time to a very worthy cause and if he succeeds, he will be finishing this epic challenge in December 2010.
For more information visit http://destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/?page=DavesWorldRecordAttempt
“David is a dedicated athlete who is known by hundreds of people in Basingstoke for his amazing challenge to row round the world on a static rowing machine for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. We wish him every success with the World Record which will be very well deserved”. Beryl Huntingdon, Absolutely Offices
This year there were also five Highly Commended nominees:
David Ogborn has recently retired from over 28 years of loyal service to the Basingstoke Male Voice Choir in his position as musical director. The choir has raised thousands of pounds for charity and David has always had a great rapport with the audiences and choir members alike.
Faye Cottrell and Michaela Riley – Peace of Mind Trust founded by Michaela Riley provides a great opportunity for young people in Basingstoke and Tadley to improve their quality of life by running affordable activities including sports, dance and drama. They also run support groups for children with disabilities, special needs and long term illness. Parents have commented that the coaches are enthusiastic and dedicated and that the children thoroughly enjoy their time spent at the Trust, developing their confidence, skills and friendships.
Barbara Applin has been heavily involved in many projects in Basingstoke which have brought history to life. She has been consulted on numerous occasions to provide historical information for use on interpretation panels and has made a huge contribution to the historic life of Basingstoke, helping to make it a place to be proud of.
Sherfield on Loddon Lunch Club began life as the Sherfield Day Centre which was started in 1986. With the help of Age Concern and fundraising in the village, a group of helpers organised meals and transport to bring club members to Sherfield Village Hall every week. Money donated from the village was used to buy chairs, games and to subsidise outings. When Age Concern could no longer support it, the helpers continued to organise the weekly social meetings as the “Lunch Club”. Since that time the club has catered for well over 100 senior citizens, many of whom live alone and are largely housebound.
Charlie Thorn and the six volunteers at Lordsfield Swimming Club work on a voluntary basis to open Overton School swimming pool during the summer holidays and evenings for the families of Overton to enjoy. They keep the pool open for 6 days a week from mid May to mid September every year and have done for nearly 25 years. Charlie also teaches children to swim and is involved in the pools maintenance and decoration of the changing rooms.
In addition for the Second year running, 5 community grants were also awarded to local groups sponsored by Destination Basingstoke and Great Guns Marketing:
Peace of Mind Care Trust is a charity organisation that reaches hundreds of children through a series of activities, including Drama & Dance sessions, Gymnastics and sports. It makes these activities affordable and accessible to low-income families, disabled and special needs groups and provides them with social interaction, fun and heightened self-esteem.
Cruse Bereavement (Basingstoke Branch) Cruse Bereavement Care provides a vital range of practical and emotional support to help people cope with bereavement and this grant will be used to help fund its training programme.
Basingstoke and Deane German Festival of Sport is now in its 18th year, The Basingstoke & Deane German Festival of Sport has encouraged both sportsmanship and friendship between Basingstoke and our German twin town of Euskirchen.
Cliddesden Community Conservation Group’s work includes the planting of hedgerows and native wildflowers and the sharing of our countryside through talks and walks.
Student Start Up supports young people seeking to start-up small businesses in the community. This service provides courses, events and workshops to local young people launching their business ideas
Photos by Stewart Turkington.
The Awards were organised by Destination Basingstoke, hosted by Festival Place and supported by our media partners Gazette Newspapers, Kestrel FM and BBC Radio Berkshire.
Basingstoke & Deane Districts
- Bramley and Sherfield
- East Woodhay
- Highclere and Surrounding Areas
- Kingsclere
- Oakley and North Waltham
- Old Basing and Lychpit
- Overton, Laverstoke and Steventon
- Pamber and Silchester
- St Mary Bourne, Binley and Litchfield
- Sherborne St John
- Tadley and Baughurst
- Upton Grey and The Candovers
- Whitchurch
