Launched in 2018, the Papa Owl Awards celebrate invention, creativity, skill development, the recognition of creative thought and fighting against the odds of life to achieve extraordinary things on the Isle of Wight.
The theme of this year’s Papa Owl Awards was related to Covid-19 and kindness. It was no surprise then to see NHS worker, Steve Double – who spearheaded Project Geranium, being awarded the ‘Ordinary Islanders Who Do Extraordinary Things Award’.
Project Geranium
Project Geranium initially saw two local organisations come together to boost the wellbeing of local older Island residents.
Steve inspired the project by donating 30 geranium plants for distribution to members of the Island community who had been socially isolated during the Covid-19 outbreak. The project snowballed and went on to include a successful postcard project, as well as .
The Award was presented by Michael Lilley at Monkton Arts Cafe and Venue over the weekend.
Double: Community resolve to challenge adversity and work together
Steve told News OnTheWight,
“I was pleased to be presented with the Papa Owl Award for 2021 on behalf of Care In The Garden and Age UK IW and all of the stakeholders and community partners who have been key to the delivery of our NHS Services during the past two years.
“As only one of three previous winners of this prestigious award, I believe that the Island has a strong Island community with resolve to challenge adversity and work together to create a great place to live, work and visit.”
How the postcard project came about
On receiving the award Steve spoke about how he’s been curating a collection of his artworks in the Gallery Space adjacent to the Full Circle Restaurant at St Mary’s Hospital.
After being asked to remove the artworks and take them home he was sitting in his lounge and came up with the idea to talk to local artists about converting art into postcards. As art galleries had been closed to the public during Covid he thought sharing art might brighten up people’s lives.
Lilley: Delighted Steve Double was nominated
Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley founded the Papa Owl Annual Awards with his wife Julia. It’s now held in partnership with Monkton Arts.
Cllr Lilley told News OnTheWight,
“I am delighted that Steve Double was nominated and awarded the Papa Owl Award 2021 for ‘Ordinary Islanders who do extraordinary things’.
“The Papa Owl Awards were established in 2018 in memory of my father who died in Ryde in 2015. He was a life long engineer and Professor of Aeronautucs and Astronautics at Southampton University.
“He was Barnes Wallace’s assistant during the war and best known for his work on Concorde and Apollo rockets. He was a World expert on the silent flight of the Owl and hence known as Owl Man and became the basis of two children’s books called Papa Owl.”
inspirational project
Cllr Lilley continued,
“The first adult recipient of the Papa Owl award in 2018 went to John Ackroyd for his extraordinary designs and inventions. In 2019 it went to Carol Court for her pioneering work with Ability Dogs. Last year, the awards were postponed.
“This year’s theme related to Covid19 and kindness. Steve Double’s geranium project was inspirational and provided hope for so many, and he was a well deserved recipient.”
Steve won a cash prize and in the spirit of his project, he was given a geranium plant. The Little Owl award went to 13-year-old Ruby Read Mackay from Bullen Village.
Well done to both!
Article edit
7.45am 2nd Nov 2021 – corrected incorrect use of brainchild – apologies all for the confused use of the word
