The inaugural Westbury Young People Awards ceremony, which took place at Matravers School last week was hailed a great success. Councillor Jerry Wickham, who hosted the event with Westbury’s community engagement manager, Liam Cripps, said, “The evening was a great success and everyone has agreed that we should definitely repeat the awards again next year,”
Including special performances from Matravers’ dance students and Dilton Junior Players, young people were recognised for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the community.
“This was the first Westbury Youth Awards ceremony and the fact that 174 members of the wider Westbury youth were nominated, shows the excellent volunteering and skills that these people contribute in our communities,” said cllr Jerry Wickham.
“As a member of the judging panel, we all had a really difficult time choosing between the high quality nominations but Friday night’s event enabled me to thank everyone and remind all nominees that they were all winners.
“I was really pleased to lead these awards and it illustrates how important our young people are to Wiltshire Council and to the Westbury area. As an area board we have supported many local projects to provide activities and opportunities for young people and we see the support of these awards as recognition for the contribution that they make to their local community.
“All those nominated and those who were presented with awards have highlighted the wealth of talent, commitment and quality of young people in this area. I was extremely proud to be involved with this event and I know that the area board will continue to support young people through its allocation of funding and support for new schemes and projects.”
Liam Cripps added, “What an absolutely incredible evening we all had and it was a real honour and joy to host alongside councillor Jerry Wickham.
“A huge thank you to Matravers School for providing such a great venue and to all the wonderfully talented performers.
“Each and every nominee and award winner just goes to prove what a fantastic and inspirational community we have here in Westbury. Roll on next year’s awards!”
Westbury Young People Awards and citations were given as follows:
• Young Achiever Award sponsored by Tarmac: Ethan Sims. Ethan is a keen Motocross bike rider who last year had a nasty fall whilst racing.
Despite being in plaster and not in the best of health, he was determined to still go to school. The children and staff at Westbury Junior School nominated him for his positivity in the face of his problems and say his resilience has made him a more determined learner.
• Young Volunteering Award sponsored by Selwood Housing: Westbury Leos. This incredible group of young people work tirelessly and have shown a total commitment to the town, supporting events such as Clean for the Queen and The Great British Spring Clean, Westbury Music Festival and Westbury Senior Citizens Party.
• Young Leader Award sponsored by Sovereign Housing: Catherine Jones. Catherine is an active competitive member of Westbury Swimming Club and Vice Team Captain who takes her role very seriously. As a swimming teacher. she gives support and guidance to the younger swimmers who look up to her.
• Young Voice Award sponsored by the White Horse News: Hannah Meaden. Hannah gives her time to train young swimmers at Westbury Swimming Club. As a competitive swimmer herself and a Team Captain this year, her voice is inspiring other young people to push themselves and give their all at every opportunity.
• Young Student Council Award sponsored by Hills Group: Fairfield Farm College. The students ran an incredibly strong and professional election campaign this year. They work hard to represent the voice of students, they plan the agenda, discuss difficult topics to ensure students are kept informed and safe, as well as focusing on fundraising at every opportunity
The current council are described as positive role models for others. The way they led their campaigns and lead the council meetings will support other students to follow their example.
• Young Individual Arts Award sponsored by Martin & Co: Millie Gmaj. Millie was recently asked to perform in the Young Performer of the Year at the Mid Somerset Festival where she came 2nd.
Millie is intelligent, hardworking and positive. She always comes to a lesson with a great attitude and sense of humour.
She is currently studying performing arts at Stagecoach Trowbridge as well as taking a full time performing arts course at SGS College in Filton.
• Young Team Arts Award sponsored by Hire Standards: Dilton Junior Players. This hard working group is made up from young people from all different schools locally and all different backgrounds.
There is a strong bond between them and they practice tirelessly for local shows and pantomimes.
The children care for each other and help those new, less confident and younger members to achieve group goals and shining together.
• Young Sporting Individual sponsored by Gooding Accounts: Hayden Bailey. Hayden’s personal development in sport has enabled him to compete at the highest level. His school is incredibly proud of his achievements and dedication to training and competition.
Hayden helps with athletics training at school and with his club in Bath to inspire the next generation of athletes. He is a role model with the way he conducts himself in sport and his academic commitments, managing both his GCSE exams and his elite performances.
Having recently won the Wiltshire Cross Country Championships in the under 16s category, he will now represent the county at the national championships. He is also a national standard 800m and 1500m runner.
• Young Sporting Team Award sponsored by Places for People: Westbury Youth Under 13s. They have managed to stay together as a team through lots of challenges having lost several coaches and helpers over the last few years for various reasons.
The group has stuck together and recently has started putting in performances of a very high standard.
This team is a true example of what team work and sticking together can achieve.
• Young Carer Award sponsored by Somerset Care: Alex Tilley and Jacob Harrington. While already being a carer for his mum, Alex’s dad was diagnosed with a major heart condition that required lifesaving surgery. He prepares food, drink and medication for both parents, as well as providing emotional support to the family.
Jacob is the doting brother to his little sister who has had multiple surgeries and hospital admissions – so many in fact that he knows the colours on every floor at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Jacob regularly camps out in his sister’s bedroom to watch films and read to her while she is on her ventilator at night.
Both these inspirational young men have missed out on elements of their own childhood in order to support their families and their stories are incredible.
• The Chairman’s Award: Mya Drury. Mya had all her hair cut off and donated it to The Little Princess, an organisation which makes wigs for children who have suffered hair loss through illness.
Mya’s donation will undoubtedly make a huge difference to another young person’s life.
