Discover Ashfield celebrates local people with award ceremony

The Discover Ashfield Awards brings Ashfield residents and businesses together to celebrate the achievements of local people during the past 12 months with an evening dedicated to their achievements, held on 2 February 2024.

The event was held at Kirkby Leisure Centre, compered by the Chair of Discover Ashfield, Martin Rigley, with entertainment from local artist ‘The Red Hot Band’. Chief Executive Theresa Hodgkinson and Director of Place and Communities, John Bennett attended the event and had chance to speak to those involved and offer their congratulations to the winners.

The awards were presented by Discover Ashfield ambassadors including the Chair of Discover Ashfield, Martin Rigley, Vice Chair Louise Knott, Principle of ATTFE college, Liz Barrett OBE and Pete Edwards. Together they form the theme leads for the Discover Ashfield Awards.  

Here is our full list of categories and winners from the Discover Ashfield Awards 2023:

Very Important Volunteer:

• Winner - Amanda Cooper
• Highly commended - Matt Williams
• Highly commended - Richard Collins

Brilliant business:

• Winner - ROMO Fabrics
• Winner - Specsavers Hucknall
• High Commended - ATTFE
• High Commended - Little Glow Ashfield

Community champion:

• Winner - Debbie Halfpenny

Young shining star:

• Winner - Waimi, Mbetmi and Yimi Fongue
• Highly commended - Isabelle Newman
• Highly commended - Ruth Lamb

Education and skills partnership awards:

• Employability provider winner - West Nottinghamshire College
• Apprenticeship provider winner - Nottingham Trent University
• Multiply provider winner - Inspire Learning
• Secondary School careers team winner - Bracken Hill School
• Outstanding partner winner - ATTFE

Outstanding Organisation:

• Winner - OT Food Club
• Highly commended - Kirkby Woodhouse School Playgroup

Phenomenal Project:

• Winner - Leon's Legacy

Superhero:

• Winner - Trevor Clower

Places to Visit:

• Winner - Felley Priory
• Highly commended - Teversal Visitors Centre

Special Recognition Award:

• Winner - Martin Rigley OBE

Cllr Matt Relf, Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning attended to show his support and said:

"There are an abundant amount of businesses and organisations who work tirelessly to ensure Ashfield has the best opportunities available to all of our residents and I am so proud to support and celebrate them.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Zadrozny said:

“It was an honour to be part of such a special evening at the Discover Ashfield Awards, just as it is every year. We will continue to celebrate all the people who make living, working and learning in Ashfield a extraordinary place to be.”

Chief Executive, Theresa Hodgkinson said:

“The Discover Ashfield Awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase and shine a light on people who work hard throughout the year from organisations to individuals. There are so many deserving people in Ashfield and we can’t wait to celebrate more of them next year.“