The Community Action Awards 2017 were held in Newport on Friday, recognising groups, organisations and individuals from across the Isle of Wight for their hard work and dedication.
Held at The Riverside Centre and hosted by ‘Community Action Isle of Wight at the Riverside’, the Community Action Awards 2017 attracted 57 applications over 8 categories. From all the entries, a shortlist of 3 was compiled for each section.
President of CAIW Patricia Partridge DL welcomed guests and pointed out that Island life would be infinitely harder without volunteers.
Referring to the judging panel, of which she is the chairperson, Patricia said that the judges learn something new each year. For instance, Brading (population 2,034) has 2 Town Halls and at Haylands Farm they use a form of aqua culture – aquaponics – utilising fish waste.
Mike Bulpitt, CEO of CAIW acted as master of ceremonies reading a citation for all shortlisted groups and introducing sponsors who handed out the cheques and certificates.
Local Communities sponsored by Isle of Wight Council
1st – All Saints Church, Gurnard
2nd – Friends of Freshwater Library
3rd – Storeroom2010
Environment sponsored by Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
1st – Best Kept Village Awards
2nd – Nature Zones Wildlife Ed Trust
3rd – Bembridge Green Towns Street Group
Village Halls and Community Centres sponsored by Norris & Fisher
1st – Havenstreet Community Association
2nd – Trinity Theatre
Equal 3rd – Bembridge Village Hall and The Exchange, Brighstone
Children & Young People sponsored by Isle of Wight Community Fund
1st – Homestart IOW
2nd – Girlguiding Isle of Wight
3rd – Rainbow Club
Arts & Heritage sponsored by Morris Crocker
1st -Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival
2nd – Shademakers UK Carnival Club
3rd – Brading Community Archive Group
Healthy Lives sponsored by My Life a Full Life
1st Isle of Wight Mencap, Haylands
2nd Cowes Sailability
3rd Headway Isle of Wight
Older People sponsored by Island Healthcare
1st – Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Wight
2nd – National Osteoprosis Society Isle of Wight Support Group
3rd – Nellies: Gunville Community Association
Sport sponsored by Glanvilles Legal Services
1st – Isle of Wight Special Olympics
2nd – West Wight Youth Football
3rd – West Wight Swimming Club
This year’s Community Action Awards formed a wonderful evening of celebration for all the volunteers. Special mentions must go to Claire Carter from Isle of Wight Special Olympics who won the Judges Special Award. The Isle of Wight Music, Dance & Drama Festival were overall runners up and Homestart IOW were the overall winners on the evening.
