Hundreds of members of the community turned out in their finery to this year's Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards.
Held at the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy on Friday April 19, the event was created to recognise the best and brightest individuals, teams and businesses across the borough.
Nominees were put forward by their community for their dedication to their chosen category.
Sean Taylor, the chair of the Pride of Bracknell Awards Committee welcomed award nominees, winners and guests to the sparkling evening following a cocktail reception at the Royal venue.
He said: "I am delighted to celebrate our wonderful community again this year. The awards play an important role in the local area, giving recognition to those people and organisations that make our community flourish.
"After a triumphant return to form last year, we are more excited than ever to celebrate our local heroes at this year’s ceremony. We’re extremely grateful to all our sponsors for their generous support.
"These awards bring together education, business, sports and leisure, local government and the voluntary sector, to celebrate the best in our community."
Bracknell-born footballer Ade Williams and Radio Presenter Andrew Peach presented the awards alongside a variety of sponsors from across Bracknell.
Ade Williams, who has a strong connection to Bracknell, opened the 19th annual awards which he has presented alongside his Peach for many years.
He said: "For me, Bracknell is still home, I bought my first house in Bracknell and it will always feel like home for me. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be part of it this evening.
"I've been doing this for 10 years and every year it seems to get bigger and better. We see some truly inspirational individuals receiving the recognition they so richly deserve, and all our finalists are truly worthy of being here."
Nominees received over 500 nominations from the local community who have watched them thrive in their field.
Here are the results from the 2024 Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards.
Results
NHS School Art Competition
1st place - Erin Patricia Read (St Josephs Catholic Primary School)
2nd place - Jessie Gray (Wildmoor Heath School)
1st place - Logan McGovern (St Margaret's Clitherow School)
Business of the year
Gold Award - The Newtown Pippin
Silver Award - Honda
Charity of the year
Gold Award - Bracknell Foodbank
Silver Award - Youthline
John Nike Adult's Award
Gold Award - Sharon Bowden
Silver Award - Victoria Andrews
John Nike Young Persons Award
Gold Award - Angel Sande
Silver Award - Ollie Perry
Long Standing Service to the Community
Janet Mauler
School of the year
Gold Award - Winkfield St Marys CE Primary School
Silver Award - Rise@GHC
Sports & Achievement Adult's Award
Gold Award - Neil Graham
Silver Award - Baz Cilia
Sports & Achievement Young Person Award
Gold Award - Mohammad (Manny) Safari
Silver Award - Isabelle Rae
Teacher of the Year
Gold Award - Lisa Fazey
Silver Award - Phil Mortimer
Team of the year
Gold Award - Brakenhale's Combined Cadet Force
Silver Award - Home-Start Bracknell Forest
Young Person in Business - Jacob Day
Special Recognition Awards
Brad Clapson
Ruth Jackson
Monika Taplin
Guests were entertained throughout the night by the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy brass band, the Uplands Primary School Choir and the Artemis Performing Arts School choir.
To celebrate sustainable living across the borough, Cllr Mary Templeton organised a 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' project alongside Bracknell primary schools which was celebrated on the night.
School children were asked to design a poster encouraging residents of Bracknell to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 1000 entries were shortlisted to 200 which were presented at the drinks reception for all to see.
The Deputy Lieutenant Lindsey Beard collected the prizes for the three winners of the Primary School Competition.
Honorable mention was given to Dexter Winfield, from Great Hollands Primary School for his poster.
Third place was awarded to Logan McGovern from St Margaret's Clitherow School, second place was awarded to Jessie Gray from Wildmoor Heath School and first place was awarded to year six pupil from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Erin Patricia Read.
Cllr Mary Templeton said: "This celebration is such a testament to what Bracknell Forest is. There are so many inspirational individuals up for nomination tonight who have done so much for the local community.
"The Reduce, Reuse and Recycle project is so close to my heart. I am hoping to pitch the idea to the NHS to see if they would like to take it on as a national campaign."
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