SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: An amazing night of pride at Ilminster

THE Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster was bursting with pride at the weekend as the town said “thank you” to those people who make a difference to the local community.

The first-ever Pride of Ilminster awards – organised by the town’s Tesco store in association with the Shrubbery Hotel – was held on Saturday (September 24, 2016) thank those people who go the extra mile to support the town they live and work in.

The winner of the Contribution to the Community award was Ilminster firefighter Barry Paull who is also well-known for his Elvis tribute act in which he performs at a number of fundraising events each year, while runner-up was long-established local florist Angie Blackwell from Cottage Flowers who supports a number of local groups, organisations and charities.

PHOTO - TOP: Overall winner of the Pride of Ilminster awards was Sophie Storey (centre).

PHOTO - RIGHT: Runners-up in the Pride of Ilminster awards were the Ilminster Party on the Park team of Matt Sainsbury, Emma Jane Taylor and Andrew Lawson.

The Services to Children award was won by Rebecca Bristow for her involvement in the local Brownies and her role with the Friends of Greenfylde School (FRoGS) group. Runner-up in that category was Emily Longhorn who has been instrumental in the relatively recent formation of the Ilminster Majorettes.

Winner of the Care for Our Elderly category was Claire Kingdom Wall, manager of the Hazelwell Lodge Nursing Home, which specialises in caring for those in our community with dementia, while runner-up was Becky Beggs, who runs the Memory Café every other Wednesday at the Minster Rooms in Court Barton, Ilminster, for those living with or supporting someone with the onset of dementia.

Andrew Lawson, Matt Sainsbury and Emma Jane Taylor were named as runners-up in the Overall Pride of Ilminster award for their tireless work and energy in the annual Party in the Park event, while winner of the prestigious Pride of Ilminster award was named as Sophie Storey for her boundless energy in supporting various local groups, organisations and causes.

Among the guests at the dinner was the Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Val Keitch, who congratulated all of the award winners and also said that those nominated were all winners of a night of immense pride for the town.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Dominique Paull (centre) received the Contribution to the Community award on behalf of her husband Barry Paull.

The event was co-ordinated by Helena Jones, the community champion at the Tesco store in Ilminster, and was jointly sponsored by the store and the Shrubbery Hotel as they wanted to thank those who really go the extra mile for the local community.

Helena said they would like to thank Shrubbery manager Ashley Preece and his team for all their hard work on the night, along with Angie Blackwell, of Cottage Flowers, for the table decorations.

Ilminster Town Football Club was thanked for its donation of the Prosecco, the club’s president Clive Moore for acting as Master of Ceremonies, Harvey Webber for running the after-dinner disco and Matt Sainsbury for the loan of his disco equipment.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Winner of the Care for Our Elderly category was Claire Kingdom Wall (centre).

Helena said: “It was a wonderful night. We are always hearing stories about those great people in our town who do so much for others and it was just great to have some of them all under one roof for a few hours.

“We know there are many people in Ilminster who make a difference to our community and they all deserve a big thank you.”

Up to 50 people had been nominated for an award and they attended the awards night and dinner at the Shrubbery on Saturday with a guest.

The Ilminster Tesco store manager, Sara Goodie, speaking on social media after the event, said: “A massive thank you to all the team who supported the Pride of Ilminster gala dinner.

“It was truly humbling to share an evening with all the nominees – so many fabulous people who selflessly give to others in the town. You are all winners.”

More photos from the Pride of Ilminster awards can be found on this link: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/09/25/pride-of-ilminster-awards-sept-24-2016/ .

PHOTO - ABOVE: The Services to Children award was won by Rebecca Bristow (centre).

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