South Brent honors local community champions

South Brent Parish Council presented members of their community with the 2024 Community Champions Awards.

The Community Champion Awards are an opportunity to ‘thank’ people who have done something special for their local community. They honor those individuals and community groups who have gone above and beyond in their communities.

Councilor Glyn Richards presented the five award nominees with a shield which they will keep for a year to celebrate their achievements.

The first nomination in the adult category was Jude Bishop. Jude was nominated for her efforts in several organisations, including Sustainable South Brent, South Brent District Caring, a local refugee charity and for leading the development of a repair cafe.

Mike Roberts has been nominated for his tireless efforts for the Royal British Legion. Mike acted as standard bearer at the Act of Remembrance and Service of Remembrance for many years. He also organized the highly successful Annual Poppy Appeal.

The final adult nominee was Gary Tidball. Gary was nominated for his passion and commitment to young footballers in South Brent. He started with an under-9 team for his son and his friends. The team went on to win the league and cup several times in the following years, and most still play in the men’s team.

In the junior category of the Community Champion Awards, Alice Hawkins from Dartside Explorer Unit was nominated for her help with the younger members of the Scout Troop. She was praised for her enthusiasm and being a “highly motivated young woman, always willing to encourage and help”.

The final nominee was Kieran Grills, also from the Dartside Explorer Unit. He was nominated for his assistance with the younger members of the Boy Scout Troop. Kieran was praised for his “uncanny ability to know what needs to be done, when and how”.

His nominator said: “His contribution to the Exploration Unit is always a joy and is very effective. Whatever the task, tidying, cleaning — all tasks are completed with a big smile. In short, Kieran is simply great.”