Bexhill Achievers Awards 2010 - the night the town shines

IT'S the time for celebrating the good ones, the brave ones, the dogged and the committed.

The Bexhill Achievers Awards at the De La Warr Pavilion was an evening which did not disappoint as young and old from all over the town came together to cheer each other on and show their appreciation.

The ceremony was presented by Observer editor-in-chief Keith Ridley and local favourite Beverley Thompson who introduced each category and welcomed the nominees up onto the stage to collect their award.

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Up first was the Business of the Year Award sponsored by McPherson - and highly commended went to H&H Confectionery run by Janet and Robin Powell, who manufacture their own sweets.

The category winner was Claremont Veterinary Group Ltd, based in Ninfield Road and Wainwright Road, the practice led by Stephen White which places great emphasis on preventative care and has even set up special nurse clinics for older animals.

The next category of Leisure and Tourist Attraction of the Year was sponsored by the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and won by the Bexhill Museum.

It opened last year following radical redevelopment and has since then gone from strength to strength with displays and exhibitions to interest every visitor. The award was collected by curator Julian Porter.

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The Service with a Smile Award was sponsored by the Cooden Beach Hotel and presented by owner James Kimber.

Highly commended went to No 48, run by Andy Rimmer, which opened a year ago in Devonshire Road.

Winner was Nikki Gedney, who has been running the C-Side cafe further up the street a while longer. Nikki is known for her welcoming smile and for her homemade goodies, from unusual salads to irresistible cakes.

The Mayor's Award for Bravery was presented next by Cllr Jimmy Carroll and went to highly commended Kirsty Stewart, who has swum her way to success, and winner was paramedic practioner Jeanette Yeoell, who risked her own life to to rescue a victim from a burning home. The award was accepted on Jeanette's behalf by Kitson Wellard.

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The winner of Services to Education sponsored by Bexhill Photographic/The Studio was deputy head of King Offa Primary School Sue Conaway, in recognition of her work with children with special needs.

The Young Person of Courage Award went to teenager Jordan Whitewood-Neal, who suffers from Proteus Syndrome, but faces life head-on with a smile and positive attitude. The award was picked up on his behalf by Ellie Gordon, deputy head at Bexhill High, and presented by Kate Lindsey of Bloomers The Florist which sponsored the award.

McPhersons sponsored the Resident Of The Year Award, with highly commended going to young charity fundraiser Lauren Gander, and winner Ernie Eldridge who is President of Little Common Royal British Legion and a member of the Bexhill 100 Motoring Club. Ernie is a huge help to neighbours, family and friends and always ready to give a hand without question. One couple whom he helped said: "He is truly an amazing man, selfless, generous, caring, and always willing to help anyone. God bless him."

The award for Best Community Group, sponsored by the Bexhill Observer, was won by Peterhouse retirement complex in Old Town, which offers day care for the elderly, and highly commended went to to Sidley Friendship Club which has been going only two years but has membership of 60.

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The De La Warr Pavilion sponsored the Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented by deputy director Emma Morris.

Highly commended went to Margaret van Draat who has been a tireless fundraiser for charity, opening her Freezeland Farm garden to the public on many occasions, while the winner was coastguard Dick Rowsell who joined as a volunteer in 1970 at the age of 23. The award was picked up on his behalf by colleague Gary Tidman.

Health Care Worker of the Year was sponsored by Ashridge Court Care and presented by Adrian Van Eugen to Veronica Salter of Back To Basics Massage Therapy.

The winner of Carer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Bexhill Observer, was Julie Wilson of SOS Home Services.

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Charity of the Year, sponsored by Bexhill Light Operatic and Dramatic Society, was won by the Sara Lee Trust, with highly commended going to youngster Keaton Peppiatt who fundraises for Thank The Forces.

Best Sports Team Award sponsored by Gaby Harwicke and presented by Jonathan Midgley went to highly commended Bexhill Rowing Club which has become one of the most successful clubs in the country.

The category was won by Sidley United Football club.

Mark Mitchell, of Bexhill Rowing club, was highly commended in the Best Sports Personality category, sponsored by Bexhill College and presented by Clare Cole, while the winner was Kirsty Stewart who has achieved great things as a swimmer and ambassador for Bexhill.

Young Sports Person Of The Year was sponsored by the Mermaid and presented by owner James Kimber with highly commended going to 13-year-old karate kid Todd Williams. The winners of the category were Chloe Frame and Kira Donno of Bexhill High school who have competed almost 200 hours of voluntary service to sport in two years.

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The Environment Award was sponsored by Southern Water and highly commended presented to Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration, or Bali as it is better known, which has campaigned against the landfill site in Turkey Road.

The winner of the category was Ian Hollidge of Bexhill Wheelers, who campaigns for safer cycling in and around Bexhill.

Final award of the evening was to Overall Achiever, sponsored by DLWP and presented by Emma Morris '“ this was won by Dick Rowsell for his decades of service as Coastguard. The audience in the packed auditorium heard how he devoted himself to this emergency rescue service and also his involvement with Bexhill Sailing Club and Sidley Working Men's club. The award was again collected by Dick's colleague Gary Tidman.

The evening ended with an excerpt from BLODS' forthcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which runs at the De La Warr Pavilion from November 17 to 20.