An awards evening celebrated the achievements of Ashfield people and business over the past 12 months.

The Discover Ashfield Awards highlighted all that is best about living, visiting, working, studying, and doing business in the district.

Organisers said it was the perfect way to recognise all those who are doing great work in Ashfield.

The event, held at Kirkby Leisure Centre, was compered by the chair of Discover Ashfield, Martin Rigley, with entertainment from Inspire’s Red Hot Band.

Awards were presented by Discover Ashfield ambassadors, including Martin Rigley, Louise Knott, Liz Barrett, and Pete Edwards.
Students from West Nottinghamshire College filmed the ceremony.

Holly Younger, of Leon’s Legacy, which won the Phenomenal Project category. The charity fundraisers for defibrillators for schools, community groups, and sports groups across Ashfield, and also provides free CPR training.

Debbie Halfpenny, of Teversal Visitors Centre, was named Community Champion winner. The centre was also highly commended in the Places To Visit category.

Ashfield District Council chief executive Theresa Hodgkinson and the director of Place and Communities, John Bennett, attended the event and congratulated the winners.

Theresa said: “The Discover Ashfield Awards is a fantastic opportunity to showcase and shine a light on people who work hard throughout the year, from organisations to individuals.

“There are so many deserving people in Ashfield and we can’t wait to celebrate more of them next year.”

Coun Matt Relf, executive lead member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning at the council, added: ‘There are an abundant amount of businesses and organisations who work tirelessly to ensure Ashfield has the best opportunities available to all of our residents. I am so proud to support and celebrate them.”

Winners were:

Very Important Volunteer
Winner — Amanda Cooper; highly commended — Matt Williams, Richard Collins.

Brilliant Business
Winners — ROMO Fabrics and Specsavers Hucknall; highly commended — ATTFE, Little Glow Ashfield.

Community Champion
Winner — Debbie Halfpenny. (Teversal Visitor Centre and Cafe)

Young Shining Star
Winner — Waimi, Mbetmi and Yimi Fongue; highly commended — Isabelle Newman, Ruth Lamb.

Education and Skills Partnership Awards
Employability Provider: Winner — Vision West Notts.
Apprenticeship Provider: Winner — Nottingham Trent University.
Multiply Provider: Winner — Inspire Learning.
Secondary School Careers Team: Winner — Bracken Hill School.
Outstanding Partner: Winner — @Academy Transformation Trust Further Education College
Outstanding Organisation: Winner — OT Fundraisers CIC Hucknall; highly commended — Kirkby Woodhouse School Playgroup.

Phenomenal Project
Winner — Leon’s Legacy.

Superhero
Winner — Trevor Clower.

Places to Visit
Winner — Felley Priory Gardens; highly commended — Teversal Visitors Centre and Cafe.

Special Recognition Award
Winner — Martin Rigley.

Ashfield District Council chairman Coun Dale Grounds, chief executive Theresa Hodgkinson, and the director of Place, John Bennett, were among the guests at the annual Disover Ashfield awards.

Ian Bond, Inspire learning director, with the Education And Skills Partnership Multiple Provider award. Inspire’s Multiply courses at Kirkby Library and Learning Centre aim to help people brush up on their maths skills and become more confident with numbers.

Diane Booth, vice-principal for curriculum and quality at West Nottinghamshire College, which won the Education And Skills Partnership Employability Provider Award, with Coun Matt Relf.

ROMO won the Brilliant Business award. The Sutton business was nominated for more than 120 years of tradition, valuing employees like family and being a place where career growth is nurtured.