A big national winner and a whole load of local heroes made The Pride of South Holland Awards 2019 the biggest and best yet.
Once again South Holland’s best and brightest stars packed out the South Holland Centre and were delighted by the top-secret special guest, Britain’s Got Talent 2019 winner Colin Thackery, who was paraded into the auditorium by Holbeach Air Cadets.
A stellar performance by the talented young Diamondz Dance group kicked off proceedings before Coun Gary Taylor set the ball rolling with his introductory speech, praising South Holland’s community spirit.
The sponsors then proceeded to give out awards to the well-deserved winners in their categories, each with explanations as to how they made their tough decisions. See the box-out to find out who won what and see our Twitter feed for quotes.
At half-time, University Academy Holbeach students gave a moving choral rendition of wartime hits.
More awards were then handed out in the second half, 33 in all, with recipients wearing beaming smiles as their hard work and selfless acts were recognised on Spalding’s biggest stage.
Sir John Hayes MP then gave a speech about the importance of celebrating the winner’s hard work.
Tears followed, as Colin Thackery sang his winning song Love Changes Everything, and then led the room in We’ll Meet Again.
See our videos on Facebook to watch Colin’s special performance in Spalding.
Winner’s corner: all the stars.
Caring Neighbour sponsored by Coun Glynis Scalese.
WINNER – Bert Wright
SECOND PLACE – Bob Joyce
THIRD PLACE – Sophie Howard
Senior Citizen sponsored by Calthrops.
WINNER – Susan Sullivan
SECOND PLACE – Ken Day
THIRD PLACE – Eric Seekings
Community Hero sponsored by Charmed Interiors.
WINNER – Pete Boekestyn
SECOND PLACE – Chris Scofield
THIRD PLACE – Melanie Bristow
Special Achievement sponsored by Springfields.
WINNER – Marion & Chas Sandhu, Lighthouse Church.
SECOND PLACE – Flinders Founders
THIRD PLACE – The Fenland Group
Community Sports Group sponsored by Coun Harry Drury.
WINNER – Halmer Harriers
SECOND PLACE – Elite Sports Academy
THIRD PLACE – Spalding Junior Squash Club
Service With A Smile sponsored by EMG.
WINNER Nicky Andrew – Woodlands Hotel, Spalding
SECOND PLACE
Petra Barneveld-Taylor – Spalding Fire Station
THIRD PLACE
Matthew Castle – Greggs, Apple Green, Spalding
Local Charity Champion Award sponsored by Bakkavor.
WINNER – Tonic Health
SECOND PLACE – Round Table
THIRD PLACE – Holbeach & East Elloe Hospital Trust
Charity Worker sponsored by Hughes.
WINNER – Butterfly Hospice
SECOND PLACE – Mel Roberts
THIRD PLACE – Alan Spridgen
Young Achiever sponsored by Molsoms & Associates
WINNER – Mollie Briggs
SECOND PLACE – Matthew Walker
THIRD PLACE – Millie Howard
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Coun Manzur Hasan and Coun Rob Gibson.
WINNER – Frank Heinrich-Tiller
SECOND PLACE – Doreen Hewitt
THIRD PLACE – Vilte Poskavaite
Before and After School Social Activities sponsored by Coun Elizabeth Sneath.
WINNER – Gosberton House Academy
SECOND PLACE – Spalding Academy Dance & Gymnastic Group
THIRD PLACE – St Paul’s School Choir
Pictures by Nigel Chapman.
