Pride Awards winners decided

This week the judges came together to decide on the winners of the Pride in South Holland Awards, writes organiser Jan Whitbourn.

The categories excelled this year so I knew it was going to be a tough job making the right decision.

Pictured from left are Pride in South Holland organiser Jan Whitbourn, Coun Rob Gibson, Julie Atkinson from Springfields, Darren Sutton from Charmed Interiors, Graham Boor from Hughes, Coun Harry Dury, Coun Elizabeth Sneath,Will Naylor from Bakkavor, Coun Glynis Scalese, Natasha Hamden of EMG and Andy Molsom of Molsom Opticians. Not pictured are Julia Cole of Calthrops and Coun Manzur Hasan.

The sponsors said messages of community cohesion, hard work of volunteers and the overwhelming importance of structured and entertaining activities in our districts have become stronger.

We, as a community, carry the responsibility of educating the next generation, not only academically as our fantastic schools do this, but education in their social responsibility to the community in which they live, respect for authority and most importantly, team work.

I asked Coun Gary Taylor from South Holland District Council what he felt about the award ceremony and why he had once again come on board to support this event.

Gary said: “Here in South Holland we have people from all backgrounds which take part in activities in a large number of clubs, organisations and societies. We have an increasing number and diverse range of sports teams. We have compassionate and committed carers and charity workers.”

Gary felt this award ceremony encouraged these people and thanked them for their hard work and dedication to the community.

We as a district need to honour and recognise the hours of tireless but rewarding voluntary efforts put into South Holland for providing the opportunity to our community and those with a broad range of abilities. They are the real heroes who often carry on with little recognition.

Everyone shortlisted will be notified this week and should pick up their tickets from the South Holland Centre, by Wednesday September 25, ahead of the event on Saturday, September 28.