Examiner Community Awards honour Huddersfield's heroes

Jun 8 2010 By Huddersfield Examiner

Community Event Award

IMBOLC

IMBOLC started as a small community event and has now grown to become one of the most spectacular events in Huddersfield's calendar, drawing thousands of people into the Colne Valley and forging an amazing community spirit with dozens of volunteers working hard on it all year round.

The ancient Celtic festival, which celebrates the death of winter and rise of spring, has been revived in Marsden since 1993.

It incorporates fireworks, fire sculptures, fire juggling, fire dances and a torchlight parade alongside live music.

Crowds have grown from a few hundred locals to 3,500 people, but it is run on a small budget by a band of staunch volunteers.

Now up to 200 villagers take part in the event either as performers or stewards.

"We’re absolutely delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the organisers and participants.

"Planning has already started for next year’s event," said Angie Boycott-Garnett.

Runners-up for this award, sponsored by Pearson Funeral Service, were Stile Common Treat and Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival.

Teacher of the Year

DEBRA AWTY

ASSISTANT headteacher Debra Awty has worked tirelessly and gone beyond the call of duty to continue to improve standards considerably and make every pupil count at her school which faces many challenges.

Debra also teaches English and media studies at the school, Moor End Technology College at Crosland Moor, and both staff and pupils say her lessons are amazing to watch.

Her pupils’ exam results are always amazing and, with her fantastic sense of humour, she loves joining in with any charity events, especially if they involve fancy dress.

In short, she has helped to raise educational standards across the Crosland Moor community and instilled in her pupils a passion for lifelong learning.

Debra said it was an "amazing evening".

"People are going to get fed up of seeing Moor End in the news but we have achieved so much under headteacher Jane Acklam and the rest of the staff and the students.

"I am really pleased with so many of the things we have done at Moor End in the recent past and I am sure there is a lot more to come.

"It’s nice to be recognised for all the work but it is work that everyone does, especially all the young people who work so hard and put in so much."

This award was sponsored by Stafflex and the runners-up were Tim Carr and Penny Kingston.

Arts Award

NORMAN MELLOR

SINGER Norman Mellor was stunned to pick up his award.

He’d just brought the house down with a character-packed version of If I Were A Rich Man when he was called back on stage as winner of the Arts category.

"I’m very surprised even to be nominated," he said. "It’s something I’d never even thought about."

"There are so many causes and charities needing a hand. I’ve got plans for one or two more events and I’ve got lads lined up waiting to help with concerts."

This is the man who in musical circles has a reputation for being unable to say no to anyone who asks for help.

He’s used his considerable musical talents for almost four decades to help many charities and good causes and in doing so he has changed the quality of countless people’s lives.

The Meltham grandfather, who is chairman of Honley Male Voice Choir, is well known for his bass/baritone voice and among the charities he has supported over the years is The Smile Train, an organisation helping children born with a cleft palate in poor countries.

Father-of-five Norman is a regular supporter of The West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust and even recorded a CD called Mellor’s Musical Mixture to boost its funds.

He’s also drummed up support and vital cash for his local churches in Meltham and Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The runners-up in this category, sponsored by Huddersfield Common Good Trust, were Catherine Williams and Full Body And The Voice.