UNSUNG heroes, business newcomers, green intiatives and Weston promotions all featured among the winners of an inaugural awards event designed to showcase the best the town has to offer.
Weston Chamber of Commerce staged its new Weston Business Awards event at the Royal Hotel last week, where it handed awards to eights winners selected from highly competitive fields.
In total, nearly 300 nominations were submitted for consideration, with names being put forward from all across the country.
Chamber president Gail Parsons said the breadth of the nominations showed how widespread Weston’s appeal continues to be.
She told the event’s 100 guests, which included major Roz Willis and MP John Penrose: “This just goes to show how what we do leaves a lasting impression on people, who go home and tell their friends and families what a great place Weston is.”
Winners included Louise Mitchell of Idesign Interiors in Weston High Street, who received the Vickie Brett Memorial Award, presented in memory of the past chamber president who lost her life to cancer in 2010.
Her husband Steve felt the award was a fitting way to remember her.
Diane Knowles of Meadow Street-based Rose And Amber, and Locking Pharmacy won awards for customer service, MCT ReMan in Oldmixon was named green business of the year, and Sally Ward collected the new business of the year trophy on behalf of HairEducator.
Weston Hospicecare won the Making A Difference category, Backyard Cinema won Love Weston for its outdoor cinema events in The Old Town Quarry, and Sharna Burkett of Quadron Services, was named new employee of the year.
In a special presentation, Weston College students India Lawton, Issie Gardner and Luke Jones received a chamber commendation for their work designing the chamber’s new logo, which drew inspiration from the iconic diving boards at the former open-air seafront pool.
A final award saw chamber secretary Debbie Apted accept the Roger Lomas Memorial Shield for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to the body.
The event also featured a final piece of good news, as a charity auction brought the event’s fundraising total to £2,700, which will be shared between Weston and Worle Dementia Action Alliance, Knightstone Youth Foyer Project and the RNLI boathouse appeal.
* Photographs accompanying this article were taken by Heidi Burton.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here