Fourteen people and organisations were given awards at the Torfaen Community and Volunteer Awards.
The event was organised by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance (TVA) and held at the Parkway Hotel on Friday 17 October.
Special mentions and thanks were given to special guest Owen Filer, Wales’ oldest man, and the late Bob Younger, a volunteer with the choir Strike A Chord, who passed away earlier this year. A wonderful tribute video was played, featuring messages from other members of the choir who spoke about the impact he had on them and the group.
The event opened with words from Aimi Morris, chief executive of TVA, was said the night was about celebrating the “positive impact that volunteering has on people’s lives”, and Brigadier Bob Aitken, the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent. Radio presenter Jason Harrold was the event’s master of ceremonies.
Awards were given to:
- Bois y Bryn, a shanty group, won the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award (sponsored by Pontypool Community Council)
- Tori and New Inn Juniors AFC won the Sports Volunteer Award (sponsored by GOS Engineering)
- John Paul Marks, from the Bell Children’s Centre, won the Adult Volunteer Award (sponsored by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)
- Boyd Painter, from Blaenavon’s People Committee, won the Young Volunteer Award (sponsored by Coleg Gwent)
- The Drafonffli, a live music venue in Pontypool, won the Business Volunteer Award (sponsored by Connect Torfaen)
- Kelly Jenkins, from New Inn AFC, won the Trustee Volunteer Award (sponsored by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance)
- Danielle Scott won the Neighbour of the Year Award (sponsored by Torfaen Council)
- Tony’s Tiny Crows, at Cwmbran RFC, won the Children and Youth Group Award (sponsored by Bron Afon)
- The Cwmbran Maintenance Group, on the Mon and Brecon Canal, won the Environmental Volunteer Award (sponsored by Hedyn)
- Rosemarie Searbourne won the Community Leader Award (sponsored by Safran)
- The ABUHB Ffrind i Mi (Friend of Mine) volunteers won the Health Volunteer Award (sponsored by Mental Health First Aid)
- Torfaen Play Service won the Heart of the Community Award (sponsored by PRV Engineering)
- Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Griffin gave a High Sheriff of Gwent Award to Megan Parker and Phoebe Morris-Sims.
The event closed with words from David Williams, chair of Torfaen Voluntary Alliance.