Winners of the annual Discover Ashfield Awards have finally received their accolades after the coronavirus pandemic led to the postponement of a planned awards ceremony in April.

Nominations were accepted from February to celebrate the achievements and contributions that residents had made throughout 2019.

The winners of the four individual awards were:

Junior Sportsperson Award, for an individual who has excelled in a sport at county or above level — Team GB Archer, Jenny Bryan. She also received a cheque for £1,000 from the Harold Farr Bequest Fund. Ice skater Paige Elliott and taekwondo world champion Rebecca Beresford each received cheques for £500 and runners-up trophies.

Performing Arts Winner Award — Local actor Ramy Fredj, who also received a cheque for £1,000 from the Harold Farr Bequest Fund.

Health and Wellbeing Ambassador Award — dance artist Annie Ball, collected the award for her outstanding work with older people in care settings, particularly those living with Parkinson’s and dementia.

The following were recognised with Community Awards for giving up their time to make a difference in the local community:

James Dean, environmental volunteer with Ashfield District Council)
Zoe Bell and Denise McGarvey, for outreach work on Coxmoor Estate, Kirkby. (pictured)
Mark Leek, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.
Rosemary Shatliff, Byron Festival volunteer.
Steve Wallace, Mansfield and Ashfield Astrological Society.

Coun Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, said “We are extremely lucky to have such talented and selfless residents living in Ashfield, so it is fantastic that we can recognise this with the Discover Ashfield Awards. Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up, they are a real credit to Ashfield.”