On Thursday 23rd July, Crawley Happy Times attended an awards ceremony at Oriel Youth Wing, with the expectation of a brief award-giving event, then home early for a cup of cocoa.  How wrong were we!?  On arrival, the youth wing was busting with excited children, proud parents and various youth workers.  We were greeted by Jo Bell and Michaela Homewood, both youth workers.  Jo and Michaela look after the youth wing and had obviously put a lot of effort and time into making the evening such a wonderful event.  With 388 members of the youth wing, they are always very busy.

As the evening began, two young presenters, Kolbi Hayes and Stuart Bayliss, came on to the stage to welcome us all to this evening and to introduce the presenters.  First up, we were treated to a fantastic slide show, put together by Callum Vitler (accompanied by music from Queen and Bob Sinclair), giving everyone in the room an insight into what the children had been up to during the year, with some wonderful clips of adventure holidays and day trips.  They had been to London, Thorpe Park, Lodge Hill and Southwater Country Park to

name but a few, involving themselves in activities like basketball, dancing, football, paintball, first aid training days and many other activities, providing discipline, exercise and by the looks of it, plenty of fun!  It really was a joy to watch the children of Oriel youth wing being so supportive, considerate and polite to one another.  And, of course, they were being educated in so many different ways.

Next we were introduced to Henry Smith, Councillor for Maidenbower, who told us his last visit to the youth wing was back in June 2006.  Henry congratulated the children and helpers on their achievements  and then went on to compliment everyone involved in keeping the youth wing’s operation so successful; wishing them continuous success for the future.  Henry awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award to Callum Vitler.  We recommend keeping an eye on this young man.  Something tells us he may be destined for great things!

Debbie Green then took the stage to present Darren Hollis with the Wishfish Inspirational Award.  Another name to keep an eye on!

Next we had what can only be described as a masterful rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’, performed by young Charlie Mott. Charlie must have put an awful lot of practice and effort into this performance.  We filmed it for you to enjoy too.  Well done, Charlie.

Steve Hemmings volunteers his time to help with the music side of the youth wing and we had the pleasure of some examples from his ‘pupils’ showing off what they had learned under Steve’s guidance.  In fact, the support from various adults/parents just clarifies: the more we help and support our children, the further they can go.

The words team work, respect, unity, helpfulness and many more great words came to mind throughout the evening.  Especially when older teenagers, Jessi Gasson and Karl McCaughan demonstrated what they had achieved with 5 younger members: in just 6 weeks they had become spectacular dancers.

The names of these dancers are: Charlotte Mortlock, Sophie Nulty, Blaize Szantos, Chloe Martin and Louise Brooks.  It was a brilliant demonstration of unity and teamwork and pretty good dancing!

It was a real feel good evening which we are extremely glad to have been part of.  The youth of

Crawley do not always get a good writeup, but let me reassure you, the young children we met on Thursday were articulate, polite, considerate, positive, educated and well-presented.

On the subject of support, Sergeant Ben Websdale and Police Community Support Officer Lucy Hailes proudly attended, admiring the achievements of the children and the efforts of others, even joining in the festivities at the after-party.

Crawley Happy Times would like to thank Jo and Michaela and all the supporters and children for a wonderful evening. Special thanks go to Margaret, Michaela’s Mum, for the delicious spread she put on which was enjoyed by all, including myself

We look forward to reporting on the awards of 2010!

Full list of award winners: -

 

TROPHIES/CERTIFICATES/THANKS LIST
YOUNG PEOPLE

 
YOUTH FORUM
Matt Sykes – Certificate
Josh Park – Certificate
Kieran Slater – Certificate
Sam Allen – Certificate
Jack Arnell – Certificate
Ed Brooks – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Kolbi Hayes – Certificate

JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS
Stuart Bayliss – Thanks
Callum Vitler – Thanks
Kolbi Hayes – Thanks
Calum Macleod – Thanks
John Currie – Thanks
Darren Hollis – Thanks
Satheesan Nagendran – Thanks

MUSIC MENTORING
John Currie – Certificate
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Lauren Meineck – Certificate
Mathieu Clay – Certificate
Tyler Green – Certificate
Tyler Green – Certificate
Sam Trumpeter – Certificate
Faith Butler – Certificate
William Stothart-Mason – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate
James Hawes – Certificate

PEER MENTORING
Satheesan Nagendran – Certificate
Laura Fagan – Certificate
Stuart Bayliss – Certificate
Chelsea Hardwell – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate
David Fox – Certificate
Calum Macleod – Certificate
Dan Kordowski – Certificate
Faith Butler – Certificate
James Coupar – Certificate
Lee Jeffery – Certificate
Samah Malik – Certificate
Noel Reynolds – Certificate
Liam Tankard – Certificate
Matthew Vincent – Certificate
Stephen Whittingham – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate

DANCERS
Karl McCaughan – Voucher as thanks
Jessie Gasson – Voucher as thanks
Chloe Martin – Certificate
Sophie Nulty – Certificate
Blaize Szantos – Certificate
Louise Brooks – Certificate
Charlotte Mortlock – Certificate
Charlie Mott – Certificate

TROPHIES
Outstanding Contribution Award – Callum Vitler
Wishfish Inspirational Award – Darren Hollis

ASDAN
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Stuart Bayliss – Certificate
Calum Macleod – Certificate
Satheesan Nagendran – Certificate

FIRST AID
Misty Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Chelsea Hardwell – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate

D OF E SERVICE AWARD
Lauren Meineck – Certificate
John Currie – Certificate