Winners and nominees praised at the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards with Parkwood Leisure

Winners and nominees praised at the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards with Parkwood Leisure

Last updated: 22/11/2024

The winners and shortlisted nominees of this year's Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards with Parkwood Leisure have been praised for their contribution to life in the Borough.

Residents, groups and community heroes took their place in a showcase celebration event of the great and good with media partner West Bridgford Wire on November 21 at Rushcliffe Arena.

It celebrated the Borough's wonderful volunteers, businesses, organisations, environmentalists and the best of its health and wellbeing, sport and food and drink sectors.

The accolades were capped by Widmerpool's Wendy Dickinson, son of legendary football manager Peter Taylor, receiving the most prestigious award of the evening, the Pride of Rushcliffe Award.

She is a trustee of the National Charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) which ended her father's life prematurely and supports patients locally and nationally thanks to over 70 support groups nationwide.

A driving force behind the campaign, she has helped over 350 people since 2013 suffering the terminal illness including many at City Hospital in Nottingham.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Neil Clarke led the praise to all those shortlisted for an award and to the many local sponsors who supported the accolades.

He said: "Many congratulations to our winners and to all those who were shortlisted and nominated.

"Wendy's inspiring and exceptional story of helping so many people in their time of need capped a wonderful night of celebrating people's achievements, talent, care and compassion.

"The event highlighted so many who give so much to their community, group or organisation.

"Whether volunteer, business owner or community hero, they are all making a difference to people's lives here in the Borough and are hugely deserving of this recognition.

"Thank you to everyone who nominated a group or individual, it was wonderful to celebrate their achievements and to all the sponsors many of whom also help make the Borough what it is creating employment for local people."

Media partner West Bridgford Wire Editor Pat Gamble joined the congratulations.

He said: "In our seventh year supporting the awards, this was another special night with so many brilliant stories.

"It was not just the winners but all the shortlisted people and groups too who we were here to shine a light on that deserve this recognition.

"Thank you to all residents from across Rushcliffe who nominated them for the awards.

The winners and shortlisted nominees were:

• Business of the Year, sponsored by Rushcliffe Business Partnership

Winner: The Royal Oak, Radcliffe

Famed for being a community hub not just a pub, Chris and the team provide real local outreach with events and support for charities, including Radfest and the village carnival. Adorned with beautiful hanging baskets in the summer, maintained by the local community gardening group, one nominator described it as a "beacon of green joy". Support for fellow local businesses in Radcliffe and inclusivity efforts makes them a shining example of a local business at the heart of their community.

Shortlisted:

Step Up Rehab, West Bridgford

The Stalls Market, Lady Bay

• Food and Drink Establishment of the Year sponsored by Rushcliffe Borough Council

Winner: Number Sixteen, Bingham

The team prides itself on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere through its exceptional and friendly service matched with a wholesome and thoughtful food and drink offer. It highlights a strong commitment to sustainability and sourcing organic and locally produced ingredients that supports regional farmers. Its community engagement fosters a vibrant hub for social interaction and sense of belonging, supporting initiatives, charities and artists, enhancing the local cultural fabric.

Shortlisted:

The Manvers Arms, Cotgrave

The Bulls Head, East Leake

• Environmental Project or Group sponsored by E.On

Winner: Rachel Ollerenshaw, Friends of Cotgrave Country Park.

Rachel is still in full-time study but has become a valuable member of the group since 2021 to now become a trustee, their first ever Biodiversity and Conservation Lead and social media manager. Her mature approach led to creating a Nature Trail Project and re-establishing a family walk route for children to interact even more with nature.

Shortlisted:

Bunny Energy Solutions Committee, Bunny

Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group, Ruddington

• Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by Holme Pierrepont Country Park

Winner: Eve Young, Cropwell Bishop

Eve has competed in artistic swimming for over 10 years on the international stage for GB and this year scooped the British Championships free and technical solo. She juggles her academic work with relentless training and has competed in Peru, Malta and Serbia. Remarked as a role-model by her nominator, inspiring many other young athletes.

Shortlisted:

Izzy Bramhall, Ruddington

Joseph Oliver, East Leake

• Sports Club of the Year sponsored by Parkwood Leisure

Winner: Nottingham Kayak Club

This year increased membership and dedicated community group sessions for scouts, guides and local groups has seen the club grow. Their litter clear ups highlight a group truly at the heart of the community. Fundraising for charity and running AquaPaddle events has made blue spaces more accessible matched with brilliant competition results and produced world champions.

Shortlisted:

West Bridgford Tennis Club

Keyworth Rugby Club

• Rushcliffe Recognition Awards

Jamie Perridge - for service to the community

Jamie helped save the life of a young basketball player who suffered a cardiac arrest at East Leake Leisure Centre administering CPR.

Dylan Hare - for service to the community

Dylan from Bingham saved the life of a stranger whilst on holiday in Spain this year after he had fallen unconscious in the sea.

David Philipson - for service to sport

David reached his goal of a Paralympic podium finish this year with an incredible silver medal in the Men's Kayak Single 200m KL2 at the games in Paris!

• Young Person or Group of the Year sponsored by Ideagen

Winner: Keyworth U11s Girls Lightning

This all girls football team that joined the Young Elizabethan League and subsequently became the first girls' team to ever win a boys YEL league title, breaking down barriers and acting as role models for other girls in sport. Coach Mark Ryan created the team to give them more challenges and their commitment and outstanding teamwork shone brightly.

Shortlisted:

Charlie Brown, West Bridgford

Binuthi Gunasekara, Lady Bay

• Volunteer of the Year award sponsored by Rehab Beauty

Winner: David Jones, Lady Bay

David has volunteered for Nottingham Rugby for over 20 years, showing passion and dedication, leading a kit crew of volunteers to wash kit, looking after the players' matchday needs and travelling far and wide to support them. His spirit shone through to beat cancer a few years ago, abseiling off the QMC to raise money for charities.

Shortlisted:

Jeremy Pratt, West Bridgford

Ronnie Mcmillen, Edwalton

• Community Group of the Year sponsored by Fairham

Winner: Meet, Eat and Greet, West Bridgford

The group host a regular social supermarket at West Bridgford Young Peoples Centre. They sell value food and drink in their vibrant and welcoming café for safe social interaction between adults of various ages and with differing needs. It builds on their years of offering opportunities for meaningful volunteering work to gain life and employment skills.

Shortlisted:

Abundance Eco Hub, Keyworth

East Leake Community Care Association, East Leake

• Health and Wellbeing Award sponsored by Step Up Rehab

Winner: Sands Utd, West Bridgford

The team was formed by manager Raj Chagger and comprises of men that have been impacted by baby loss. Whilst they play football, they push their vision of being a support group first and a football team second and now have over 50 members, raising funds for other local charities on matchdays. A safe space for Dads to be open and honest about their mental health.

Shortlisted: St Pauls Boundary Road, West Bridgford

Joyful Jukebox, Keyworth/Cotgrave

• Pride of Rushcliffe Award sponsored by Proludic

Winner: Wendy Dickinson, Widmerpool

Shortlisted:

Karen Usher, West Bridgford

Ian Goulding, Cotgrave

Wendy Dickinson, Willoughby-on-the Wolds

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