Green-fingered residents were in the spot light at Tuesdays Let’s FACE it! Awards, which took place at The Hawth theatre.
Presented by the delightful Ruth Growney who is a devoted active member of the Let’s Face It and Britain in Bloom campaigns. Ruth kept us all entertained and informed while donning a spectacular dress which moulded into the amazing scenery on stage.
Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Cultural Services at Crawley Borough Council said: “Thanks to all the staff. Every year they excel and tonight is no exception. 2011 has been Let’s FACE it’s best ever year!”
The evening of celebrating follows the town’s recent successes in the Britain in Bloom and South and South East in Bloom competitions. Last year Crawley achieved:
• The 2011 South and South East in Bloom Champion of Champions Award, achieving High Gold standard
• The Sussex Life Trophy
• Gold, Silver Gilt and Silver awards in the Large Parks category for Tilgate Park, Goffs Park, West Green Park and Worth Park
• Silver Gilt in the Parks category for the Memorial Gardens
• Silver Gilt in the Conservation category for Waterlea Meadow
• 13 awards in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category including Outstanding for Bolney Court, Boswell Road and Three Bridges Forum.
Councillor Walker added: “This is a truly phenomenal achievement and a credit to everyone here tonight. We appreciate everything you do and the difference it makes to your neighbourhoods and Crawley.”
Sharon Ottley was awarded winner of the individual Outstanding Achievement Award. She was nominated for initiating the Boswell Road Residents’ Group in Tilgate and for being their leading light and motivator, encouraging and bringing the neighbours together.
Vanessa Harrold, Chair of Bewbush Action Group, and Dave Hathaway from Three Bridges Forum were both runners up.
Mayor Carol Eade & Vanessa Harold
The Three Bridges Forum was the winner of the Community Group Outstanding Achievement Award. The group was nominated for continually striving to make Three Bridges a better place to live. They also achieved an Outstanding Award in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category in South East in Bloom 2011.
The winners Three Bridges Forum
The St Andrew’s Church Let’s Face It! team was runner up for this award.
Crawley Borough Council staff member Christian Threader was awarded winner of the Geoff Simmons Award. This award is named after the council’s former tree officer, who died in 2009, and honours a member of staff who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Mayor Carol Eade said: “I’m so proud to live in Crawley and to be part of the community spirit that has been on show here tonight. I would like to thank all of you for your hard work over the past year and to wish you continued success for the coming years.”
Volunteer community groups who have made exceptional contributions to their community through Let’s FACE it! were invited onto the stage to receive recognition for their hard work over the year and a goody bag full of prizes donated by the sponsors.
Squires Garden Centre, Chiltern Seeds, Crawley Garden Centre and Sainsbury’s donated products for future projects such as seeds, planning pockets, bulb planters and, of course, chocolate biscuits and tea bags.
K2 Crawley, The Body Shop, Lush, Café Giardino and Coffee Republic all donated fabulous prizes for when the volunteers give themselves a well-earned break, such as soaps and bath bombs, money off vouchers and 7-day gym passes.
To find out more about Let’s FACE it! please visit www.crawley.gov.uk/FACE
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