This year’s Isle of Wight Community Action Awards attracted over 60 nominations, with a shortlist of 23 contenders drawn up for judging.
Mike Bulpitt, chief executive of Isle of Wight Community Action was MC for the presentation evening and welcomed everyone to Riverside Centre, Newport.
President of IWCA Patricia Partridge DL said she was thrilled to welcome the Lord Lieutenant who had been honoured with a Knighthood in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List. All those present joined in a lengthy round of applause for Sir Martin.
Patricia’s involvement with IWCA goes back 10 years and she emphasised Island life would be infinitely more stretched without volunteers.
For the judging of the Awards Patricia and Mike were joined by Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Chair of the Isle of Wight Council.
Category winners:
Sport – sponsored by Glanvilles Damant
Oakfield Youth Football Club
They have 89 registered young players and have recently set up a girls’ team. Training of Referees and coaches is also undertaken.
Arts & Heritage – sponsored by Morris Crocker.
Friends of Shanklin Theatre
Formed in 2008 they have some 550 members who undertake a wide range of roles. After a final selection of group winners they also secured second place overall.
Village Halls & Community Buildings – sponsored by Norris Fisher
Seaview Village Community Shop
Boasting 306 shareholders and over 50 volunteers it is a year- round community hub for permanent and temporary residents alike.
Environment – sponsored by IW AONB
Sandown Green Team
A small, hard working group are responsible for planting flower beds and planters as well as having a beach cleaning role.
Older People – sponsored by Island Healthcare Ltd.
Age UK Isle of Wight Digital Support Project
A total of 229 clients have taken advantage of IT tuition in their homes or at drop-in sessions.
Children & Young People – sponsored by IWCF
1st Newport Scout Group
The oldest Scout Group on the Island and the oldest long running group in the country they meet at their Woodbine Close hall and have 30 volunteers and 80+ members aged 6-18.
3 special awards concluded the ceremony and Sir Martin spoke on his usual theme of how the Island would be such a poorer place to live if it were not for the volunteers.
Helen Foster from the Saturday Club for Deaf Children gained The Shahida Nehorai Memorial Award. This was for outstanding personal individual contribution to the lives of deaf children/young people.
Rod Warne of 1st Newport Scouts won the Judges Special Award for his continued contribution to Scouting. He is only the fifth Group Scout Leader in the 110 years of the group and it was Rod together with the other members of 1st Newport Scouts who were selected as overall winners of the IWCA Awards.
