Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has revealed volunteers from Ruddington are up for gongs in two different categories during next month’s ‘Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards’ alongside a singer and keyboard player who runs frequent health and wellbeing music sessions here and a young, Ruddington sportswoman.
The annual ceremony celebrates the best of the Borough’s health & wellbeing and food & drink sectors, volunteers, environmentalists, clubs and organisations alongside other local businesses and enterprises. Over 30 groups and individuals have been shortlisted for this year’s awards.
Those on the shortlist include Mark Pinks for ‘Volunteer of the Year’ – in recognition of his outstanding contribution to village life; including as a governor at St Peter’s Junior School, where he established an after-school computer club, a former Ruddington Parish Councillor, an NG11 Foodbank volunteer and a key member of Ruddington Village Community Partnership helping to organise events such as the Ruddington Village Market.
Also shortlisted from Ruddington, in the ‘Community Group of the Year’ category, are volunteers from the ‘Wednesday Morning Coffee Club’ in St Peter’s Rooms; which helps to reduce loneliness and social isolation amongst villagers over 55.
Helen Tooth‘s ‘Joyful Jukebox’ – which she brings to Ruddington for Bloomin’ Dementia‘s fortnightly ‘Music in Mind’ sessions in the Village Hall and also the ‘Green Memory Cafe’ at Rushcliffe Country Park – has been recognised in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category this year.
Last but not least, 11-year-old Ruddington resident Megan Stacey is shortlisted for ‘Sportsperson of the Year’. Despite living with Type 1 Diabetes, in just 18 months of competing Megan has already achieved no less than 7 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
RBC’s Deputy Leader Cllr Abby Brennan {pictured in Ruddington, top right, with the Coffee Club organisers} says: “Huge congratulations to our shortlisted nominees, all of whom are contributing to Rushcliffe life in so many wonderful ways, or leading by example in their chosen field. We received a record number of nominations this year and the judging panel have had an exceptionally difficult job narrowing down those who have been shortlisted.”
The FULL shortlist is:
• Business of the Year, sponsored by Rushcliffe Business Partnership
The Larder, Aslockton
Fordes Coffee, West Bridgford
Vale Clearances, Bingham
• Food and Drink Establishment of the Year sponsored by Rushcliffe Borough Council
Tiffin Tea House, West Bridgford
The Atrium, Radcliffe
Poppy and Pint, Lady Bay
• Environmental Project or Group sponsored by Leisure Energy
Paul Dulwich
Friends of the Hook, Lady Bay
Friends of the Green Line, West Bridgford
• Community Group of the Year sponsored by Fairham
Countryside Enterprises CIC, Costock
Keyworth Community Projects, Keyworth
Wednesday Morning Coffee Club, Ruddington
• Volunteer of the Year award sponsored by Rehab Beauty
Mark Pinks, Ruddington
Norma Heard, Cotgrave
Jacquie Owen, East Leake
• Sports Club of the Year sponsored by Lex Leisure
Notts Gymnastics Club, West Bridgford
West Bridgford Tennis Club, West Bridgford
Bingham Rugby Club, Bingham
• Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by Holme Pierrepont Country Park
Lindsey Thorpe, Cropwell Bishop
Barney Corrall, Gamston
Megan Stacey, Ruddington
• Health and Wellbeing Award sponsored by Step Up Rehab
The Joyful Jukebox, Keyworth & Ruddington
Sands Utd, West Bridgford
West Bridgford Colts Project 3 minutes, West Bridgford
• Young Person or Group of the Year sponsored by Ideagen
Tollerton Primary School Girls Football Team, Tollerton
Nottingham Kayak Club, Junior Racing Group, West Bridgford
Aleesha Gadhia, West Bridgford
• Pride of Rushcliffe Award sponsored by Proludic
Nicola Brindley
Chris Littledyke
Brian Lund
Cllr Brennan adds: “We really look forward to meeting these local heroes at the awards evening and celebrating their achievements, it really is a one of the highlights of the year focussing on people who achieve and give so much. Thank you to everyone who nominated a group, business or individual. All nominators are being acknowledged by us to say thank you for taking the time to put forward their community hero and their continued efforts.”
The lead sponsor for this year’s awards is utility company E.ON. The winners will be announced during a special ceremony at Rushcliffe Arena in West Bridgford on Thursday November 30th. Good luck to our shortlisted Ruddington nominees!
