The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Some of the district’s heroes were recognised on Sunday as the Pride of South Holland Awards finally returned.
The ceremony was postponed from last year with the majority of nominations carrying over for the ceremony held at Spalding’s South Holland Centre.
There was also a special award for the Wombles of Spalding Common who were thanked for their service in organising numerous litter picks through various lockdowns and beyond.
Organiser Jan Whitbourn, said: “It was an amazing afternoon with lots of people having told me it was the best one ever.
“It was absolutely fantastic to finally hold the event and celebrate these fabulous people who make such a difference to so many across South Holland.”
This year’s theme was heroes with Britain’s Got Talent 2019 winner Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery, 91, the star attraction once again.
There was also a special prize draw with one of those in attendance picked out randomly by South Holland MP Sir John Hayes to receive a donation in the form of the profits from the night.
The seat number chosen belonged to one of the delegation from Clough Risegate Primary School who won a total of £550 after Sir John added £100 to the evening’s takings.
The evening ended with Colin Thackerey singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ while a flurry of poppies cascaded down over the audience.
Jan continued: “A huge well done to all the nominees who were all deserving of their accolades and a thank you to everyone involved in making the Pride of South Holland Awards so special.”
THE WINNERS
CARING NEIGHBOUR (sponsored by Couns Glynis Scalese and Jack Tyrrell) – 1) Amanda Halifax, 2) Ann and David Ingle, 3) Mrs Monica Venni.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE (sponsored by Coun Paul Redgate) 1) Michael Rogers, 2) Gail Ridley, 3) Chappell Centre.
YOUNG ACHIEVER (sponsored by Andy Molsom) – 1) Erin Smith, 2) Georgie Van Dyke, 3) Alia Jones.
SENIOR CITIZEN (sponsored by Calthrops Solicitors) –
1) St. John’s Church Drop-In Group, 2) Jane Amess and Bridget Scase, 3) Christine Woolsey.
CHARITY WORKER (sponsored by Hughes Electrical) –
1) Graham Hewitt, 2) Frank Heinrich-Tiller, 3) Rita Stacey, Aly and Kevin Commons.
COMMUNITY HERO (sponsored by Charmed Interiors and Bookmark) – 1) Mary Cooper, 2) Phyllis Newton, 3) Gary Devanche
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Coun Manzur Hassan and Matthew Clark) – 1) Maggie Cole, 2) Nigel Bean, 3) Pinchbeck Community Hub and Library
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS (sponsored by Springfields) –
1) South Lincolnshire Advanced Motorcycles, 2) Whaplode St.Catherine Hall Committee, 3) Johnson Hospital Phlebotomy Team
SPORTS (sponsored by Coun Harry Drury – 1) Spalding Boxing Club, 2) Spalding Amateur Swimming Club, 3) Long Sutton Athletic Under 12s
CHARITY COMMUNITY CHAMPION (sponsored by Bakkavor) – 1) Little Miracles, 2) Ella’s Project, 3) Spalding Hospice Foundation
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY (sponsored by Coun Elizabeth Sneath) – 1) Spalding Academy School Canteen, 2) Clough and Risegate Community Primary School, 3) Spalding Parish Church School Pioneers.
COVID 2020/21 (sponsored by The Woodlands Hotel) –
1) The Womble Volunteers
All pictures by BEN CHAPMAN.
Tulip Talk with Jan Whitbourn.
I would like to thank everyone who took part in the Pride of South Holland Awards this year.
Without the nominees and sponsors we simply couldn’t have done it without you, lots of people wrote great stories about our winners.
They were brilliant and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
I was amazed by the energy and enthusiasm shown by the people in this wonderful community that is South Holland. I started organising the awards in 2013 and the event has grown alongside our nominees.
The awards increased and selecting our winners has become a real challenge.
I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from the sponsors who have been very supportive, waiting for the right time for it to take place.
The theme for the day was Heroes with Diamondz Dance setting the scene, clothed in scrubs, police and nurses outfits, depicting all the people who deserved a mention from Covid 2019.
This followed with the 2430 (Holbeach) Royal Air Force Air Cadets and the Royal British Legion appearing on stage with everyone, to celebrate Heroes as Colin Thackery, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2019 came onto the stage to join them and sing to us all.
Colin has travelled around the country singing at many events, saying it was good to be able to be back singing to audiences.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event so special, you are all winners.
Thank you to, Flowers ‘N Things, South Holland District Council, Diamondz Dance who highlighted all the Heroes from 2019 during Covid, all wearing different uniforms, we saw so much of that year, they did us proud
Also the wonderful 2430 Holbeach Royal Air Force Air Cadets, performing their duties so well, so proud of all those young people, working together as professionals.
Lastly to Bev and the team at the South Holland Centre for helping to make my job a lot easier on the day, thank you to you all.
They helped me in particularly by putting together all the pictures and material for the day as well as on the day keeping everything flowing.
When Colin sang ‘We’ll meet Again’ at the end with the poppy petals floating down, many had tears in their eyes.
My final thanks has to go to photographer, Ben for being right by my side with the photography and Steph Genovese who filmed the whole event which you can purchase from Holbeachfilms@yahoo.com
It’s been a pleasure working with you all, I look forward to next time when we can do it all again!
