There were 44 entries from voluntary and community groups in this year’s Community Action Awards.
They are organised by the IW Rural Community Council with the IW County Press as title sponsors.
With seven categories under consideration a judging panel was formed to deliberate. With Patricia Partridge DL, President of the IWRCC in the chair she was assisted by Alan Marriott, Editor IWCP and Mike Bulpitt CEO of the IWRCC.
Judges toured the Island
Two days were spent by the judging panel touring the Island and assessing those shortlisted.
In her welcome speech Patricia Partridge said that the Awards recognised the efforts of many Island voluntary groups. She said voluntary and community groups contributed to Island life in many ways and Patricia maintained that increasingly local government relies on volunteers.
Mike Bulpitt was MC for the evening with cash prizes in each category. Winners received £250 with £100 for runners up.
Walkover for Special Olympics
Sponsored by Wightlink the sport category had only one entry so the IW Special Olympics benefitted from a walkover.
Arts and Heritage was also sponsored by Wightlink. With 50 + volunteers and 42,000 annual visitors Quay Arts were triumphant.
Village Halls and Community Buildings, sponsored by Norris and Fisher Insurance, saw success for Whippingham Community Centre in one of many entries made by them.
Nod for Footprint Trust
For the Environment, sponsored by the IWRCC, the Footprint Trust got the nod. Their projects include Adopt a Pond, Adopt a Garden and their Pond Warden scheme.
In the Older People section, sponsored by Somerset Care, Independent Arts took the honours in their 25th year. Their 12 volunteers undertake schemes involving art, music and movement.
Hampton Trust victorious
In the group for Children/Young People, sponsored by the IW Community Fund, the Hampton Trust were victorious. Their brief is to help clients aged 12-18 who have a tendency for unacceptable behaviour.
Sponsored by the IW Community Fund the Local Communities award went to the IW Food Bank. They have a warehouse on the Island with seven distribution centres. Three days emergency supplies are available for deserving clients.
At the close of deliberations, three special awards were decided. Peter Lathey representing Revive Newport took the individual Merit Award.
Taking all things into consideration there were two overall prizes. Runners up were Whippingham Community Association, pocketing a cheque for £500.
Overall winners, benefitting to the tune of £1,500 was the IW Food Bank.
Mike Bulpitt announced at the Awards ceremony that in the near future the Isle of Wight Rural Community Council (IWRCC) will be known as Community Action Isle of Wight.
