SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration

THE FEELGOOD factor came to South Somerset when the annual Gold Star Awards ceremony was held at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

It was the tenth anniversary of the awards – held by South Somerset District Council – and the ceremony on Tuesday (October 25, 2016) was once again packed with inspirational stories.SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 2

The Gold Star Awards really focus on the amazing feats of youngsters up to the age of 18, as well as the volunteers who work with them.

PHOTO - TOP: Ash Rovers Under-10s.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Hollie Wright of Yeovil Netball Club.

There were nine awards given out during the evening – which was hosted by comperes Ian Burrage and Laura James, while the awards were read out and presented by the council’s chairman Cllr Mike Best and culture and leisure spokesman Cllr Sylvia Seal.

Adult Volunteer of the Year – James Divall.

Junior Sports Club/Team of the Year – Ash Rovers JFC Under-10s.

Junior Club/Group/Organisation of the Year – Barton St David Scout Group (although there was special praise for Henstridge Youth Club and Wincanton Fire Cadets).

Adult Sports Volunteer of the Year – Hollie Wright of Yeovil Netball Club.

Young Artistic Achiever of the Year – Amber Matthews.

Somerset Play Forum Play Achievement Award – Brookside Academy Holiday Club.SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 4

Young Sports Performer of the Year – Boxer Mitchell Ayers, of Chard, Ilminster & District Boxing Club; and gymnast Lannece Hole (unable to attend awards ceremony), of Yeovil-based Orchard Gymnastics.

Young Volunteer of the Year – Oli Moore, chairman of the Somerset FA Youth Council.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Amber Matthews.

There was a standing ovation when the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to 89-year-old Alan Sandall in recognition of his 70 years of involvement with the Scouting movement.

A surprise award was made by Cllrs Best and Seal to comperes Ian Burrage and Laura James who have done the Gold Star Awards job for the past eight years.

There was entertainment during the evening – which was attended by civic dignitaries from the district as well as family and friends of those people nominated – by the Dance Academy, Castaway Theatre Group, Cary Amateur Theatrical Society, and local band Cherry Trees.

Cllr Best said there were many volunteers in the district who work tirelessly to ensure that young people develop skills and reach their potential.

He added the council cared about the community and wants to make it a “better place for everybody.”

Cllr Seal added that the council was committed to supporting young people and had held 20 play days in South Somerset during the summer which had attracted more than 11,000 youngsters.

The full list of nominations is as follows: Active Learning and Skills (Making a Difference) Young Volunteers Team; Alan Sandall; Amber Matthews; Ash Rovers JFC Under-10s; Barton St David Scout Group; Bouncy Bear Childcare; Brookside Academy Holiday Club; Castaway Theatre Group; Clive Dyer; Daisy Reid; Drew Cameron; Geoff Walker; Helen Laxton; Henstridge Youth Club; Hollie Wright; James Divall; Jan Lawes; Jenny Blackmore and Fiona Welch of getset Services; Joe Walmsley; Josh Frosdick; Judy Male; Kate Adams; Lannece Hole; Lynn Lee Brown; Matt Hyde; Matthew Larkins; Merriott Wildcats; Mitchell Ayers; Oli Moore; Warren Lee; Wincanton Fire Cadets; Yeovil Junior Netball Club.

PHOTO GALLERY: Winners photos - http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/26/gold-star-awards-october-25-2016-3/ .

PHOTO GALLERY: More photos in this gallery from Gold Star Awards at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil - http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/26/gold-star-awards-pt-2-october-25-2016/ .

PHOTO GALLERY: Photos in this gallery from last night’s Gold Star Awards at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil - http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/26/gold-star-awards-pt-1-october-25-2016/ .

PHOTO GALLERY: Cary Amateur Theatrical Society who performed at the Gold Star Awards -  http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/26/gold-star-awards-october-25-2016/ .

PHOTO GALLERY: Castaway Theatre Group who performed at the Gold Star Awards -  http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/26/gold-star-awards-october-25-2016-2/ .

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 1

PHOTO - ABOVE: Cllr Sylvia Seal (left) and Cllr Mike Best (right), of South Somerset District Council, with awards night comperes Ian Burrage and Laura James.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 3

PHOTO - ABOVE: The Brookside Academy Holiday Club.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 5

PHOTO - ABOVE: Mitchell Ayers.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 6

PHOTO - ABOVE: Oli Moore.

 SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration

PHOTO - ABOVE: A representative of Barton St David Scout Group receives their Gold Star Award.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 9

PHOTO - ABOVE: James Divall.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Golden night of celebration Photo 8

PHOTO - ABOVE: Alan Sandall.

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