Bexhill Achievers' £8,200 success

The De La Warr Pavilion has hosted a breakfast reception at which celebration of last year's success for the joint venture by Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and the Bexhill Observer was combined with the announcement of ambitious plans for 2007.

Observer group editor Peter Lindsey reminded sponsors and recipients how the long-running annual Bexhill Achievers Awards concept had been stepped up in scale last year.

It had the dual purpose not only of honouring people and businesses who contributed to the success of the town economy and to the community but also of raising money for good causes.

The Chamber of Commerce had suggested that in addition to local charities, some of the money raised should go to the town's primary schools.

Last September's Bexhill Achievers Awards Night had been hosted by St Richard's Catholic College. But the event was fast outgrowing the College's 250-person capacity. This year's September 4 event would be hosted by the De La Warr Pavilion when it was hoped that 500 people would take part.

Peter Lindsey thanked the De La Warr Pavilion for hosting last Friday's event and the United Arab Emirates Technical Training Establishment and Redrow Homes as principal sponsors of the 2006 awards.

All Saints' Church of England Primary School, Chantry Community Primary School, King Offa Primary School, Little Common School, Pebsham Community Primary School, Sidley Community Primary School and St Mary Magdalene's Roman Catholic Primary School each received 250.

Carol Baxter received All Saints' School's cheque from Rother leader Cllr Graham Gubby. Chairman of governors Alison Watt received King Offa's cheque from Ilian Granville of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce.

Stephen Finney from the UAE presented Pebsham School's cheque to KEY Stage 2 Coordinator Fran Naylor. Sidley School's cheque was presented by St Richard's College principal Tony Campbell.

Cheques for 690 awaited local charities.

Claire Day, marketing manager of Hastings Direct, presented 1066 Specials' cheque to founder Harold Lawrence. Observer deputy editor John Dowling put on his Bexhill Talking Newspaper Association hat to receive the charity's cheque from Becky Jest of Redrow Homes.

Jan Cackett and Barry Turnwell from Hastings and Rother Crossroads received their cheque from Andrew Francis, South East Regional Design Director for Churchill Retirement Living.

Cooden Beach Hotel owner James Kimber presented centre manager Dave Harris and Cybil Sandy from the friends of the 73a Centre in London Raid with the centre's cheque.

Chief executive Claire Brown and herpersonal assistant Claire Ogilvie represented Bexhill-based Infertility Network UK as Mr and Mrs van Eugens of Ashridge Care Home, Barnhorn Road, presented their cheque.

Romeen Sanglaji and Cassie Abley received a cheque for the Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus from Carol Barfoot of Gibbons and Mannington accountants.

Sackville Hotel freeholder and Chamber of Commerce representative Malcolm Mitcheson presented the cheque for St Mary's School, Wrestwood to principal David Cassar.

Chairman of governors Alan Spice received Glyne Gap School's cheque from Peter Mills of Barclayhs Bank.

Newly-elected chamber president Ainsley Gill of McPherson's Accountants present Homecall's cheque to Jenny Private and Richard Wheeler.

Co-organiser Ilian Granville, from Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors, said it was exciting to see so many people present and to see what progress the Bexhill Achievers Awards had made.

The aim for 2007 was to obtain as many nominations as possible and generate as much sponsorship as possible to make the event an even greater success.

Peter Lindsey pledged: "We are going to go all-out to make sure it happens!"