2006 Winners
Pride in BedfordCommunity Group Award:
Aftershock Youth Club
Aftershock Youth Club work in the Goldington Area engaging with 5-10 year olds with around 70 young people signed up. The club aims to proactively engage with young people and develop their confidence and life skills by providing weekly sessions with them. Since Aftershock was established a real change has been seen with the children, they thoroughly enjoy themselves with games, contests, dance and music and very session is ended with a story about relevant issues.
Pat Olney Leisure and Culture Award:
Janet Welsh
Janet gained a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy in piano and singing. Since moving to Bedfordshire in 1972 she has taught in local schools and has conducted Kempston Musical Society – a large amateur choir for 30 years. She is also the musical director of Bedford Hospital Choir, Bedford Messiah Choir, Ouse Valley Singers and has conducted Bedford Operatic Society. Over the past 30 years it is impossible to say how much money has been raised by her choirs for charity and the enjoyment of music by thousands of people.
Hazel Mitchell Environment Award
Park Wood Local Nature Reserve and Community Orchard
Park Wood Nature Reserve and Community Orchard covers an area of 4.6 hectares and is almost a hidden gem! The site is home to many species of butterflies, foxes, owls, badgers, muntjac deer, hedgehogs, weasels and bats. The ‘friends’ that run the reserve are a group of local residents who have contributed time, energy, work and money towards the success of the reserve. They work in close partnership with local residents, the Borough Council and schools to promote the benefits of the reserve to the wider community.
Winifred Fowler Service to the Community Award:
Asif Nadim
Dick Merryweather
Asif Nadim has worked within the Queens Park area to open the Westbourne Mosque to everybody and is trying to reach all parts of Bedford’s diverse community. The mosque now regularly welcomes different groups for educational trips which are done in an open, honest and light hearted way.
Dick Merry Weather is the leader of Brickhill Hill Scouts and has dedicated many years to Scouting in Bedford, most recently as leader of Brickhill Scouts.
Under Dick’s leadership the Brickhill Scouts have become one of the most successful groups in Bedford with thriving Beavers, Cubs, and Scout Groups. Over 100 children are involved with the Scouts and Dick leads a dedicated hard working group of leaders who ensure that the young people involved both enjoy and learn a great deal through their involvement in the Scouts.
Street Ranger Young Person Award:
Richard Evans
Over the past 6 years Richard has been a volunteer helper in preparation for the Annual Sharnbrook Fayre. He has both helped with the erection and removal of the illuminations in November and January each year, which involves a number of weekends. Richard is also involved in the putting up and taking down of the marquees used in the event on the first Friday in December. Over the years Richard has demonstrated a mature outlook to life and his volunteering has helped him develop as a person.