2020 Winners
Overall Pride of Gedling Award (sponsored by Keepmoat Homes) – Gwen Woolley
The 2020 Pride of Gedling winner, Gwen Woolley, has been a part of many different organisations over the last 30 years, mainly Carlton Silver Band (which successively became Carlton Brass Band, Carlton Brass Training Band now under the name of Burton Joyce Community Brass).
She has taught hundreds of people, young and old, to play both brass and woodwind instruments, from recorders and clarinets to cornets and basses, providing tuition at no financial reward to herself, purely for the joy of seeing them progress and gain confidence in their playing.
In the early ’90s she first became part of Carlton Silver Band, when her daughter Susan wanted to learn to play. She taught Susan to play the cornet and her daughter says ”without my Mum’s tuition, patience and knowledge I wouldn’t be a brass teacher with Inspire today.”
She fell in love with teaching and decided to continue her studies and took up musical training at Clarendon College.
Currently she takes pupils from 3 years to 90 years old, and always successfully teaches them how to play a note and progresses them towards their own personal goals.
She also volunteers for other organisations: playing the piano at the U3A as well as helping out with meeting and events; the Netherfield Walking Group; a Recorder group at the local church; and is Membership Secretary of the Netherfield and Colwick Senior Citizens’ Club and more.
Dylan Barker Young Person Award (sponsored by Gedling Eye) – Benjamin Neal
What should have been a family day out turned into a matter of life and death for this young hero. Benjamin was on his way to Thorpe Park with his parents when the car in front of them stopped on the M25. An 86 year old man was having a heart attack. The Police had arrived but that did not stop Benjamin, a trained First Aider, from taking action. He carried out CPR on the gentleman and helped to support the Police to use a defibrillator.
Benjamin’s courage and calmness during a very dramatic moment was exceptional. He learnt his training as a Nottingham Sea Cadet and he is also a member of St Johns Ambulance where he volunteers regularly on weekends to help others.
This truly heroic act to help someone in need is something that Benjamin and his parents should be very proud of and he is an inspiration to young people.
Business in the Community Award (sponsored by Keepmoat Homes) – Gedling Road Co-operative
Over the last four years, Gedling Road Co-Operative have supported several community projects and contributed over £15,000 towards Gedling Country Park.
The Friends of Gedling County Park have successfully applied to them for several fundraising initiatives including the new environmental trail, which includes rare indigenous trees and artwork that is a great walk away from the beaten track for park visitors. The funding has also supported the new nature trail, which gives young people the opportunity to walk around the park and find the several wooden animal sculptures to help them learn about the wildlife and eco system in the park.
The Co-Operative has also supported many Community groups across the borough and have donated thousands to local charities as well as donating gifts to children at the QMC hospital over the Christmas period.
Community Heroes Award (sponsored by Frank Key Ltd) – Mick Ball
Mick is lovingly known as the Rocket Man at Gedling Play Forum. For the last 16 years, he has volunteered there between two and four days a week, helping young people with a host of craft activities, most notably, his renowned rocket making sessions.
Mick, who is the vice-chair of the forum, also takes part in a number of other duties at the centre, including making contacts with suppliers, collecting resources, gardening, preparing activities and supporting other volunteers with his vast array of experience.
His enthusiasm and love for this role is very clear. He loves the challenge and does not flinch at getting involved in every aspect of the job. He is an amazing man who never stops giving back to his local community.
The Environmental Hero Award – Kirsty Oswell
We are all getting better at being more sustainable and then there is Kirsty. Over the last two years, she has transformed how Richard Bonington School recycles. Her passion for recycling has improved the recycling rates and reduced the residual waste by 25%.
Kirsty has listened to the concerns of the school children and helped them to recycle and has inspired them to make a real difference.
Kirsty’s work is changing how families with children at the school recycle, even some of the staff have are now better educated about what can or cannot go in the recycling.
At a time when it is imperative that we do more to protect our planet, Kirsty is a leading light and her contribution to raising awareness of climate change is invaluable.
Inspirational Healthy Lifestyle Award – Joseph and Cath Warren from Breathe Easy Gedling
Joseph and Cath Warren have worked very hard to help and support people with lung conditions through the Breathe Easy support group in Arnold. They help arrange meetings and outings for members and the group is going strong due to their determination and hard work.
This year, the Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Sandra Barnes recognised the importance of their work by choosing them as one of her chosen charities whist fundraising across the borough.
Despite his own health issues, Joseph has shown true determination to help others and with over 30 attending each meeting, held at the Arnold Methodist Church, the work of this fantastic couple is making a real difference to people’s health and improving their quality of life.
Outstanding Community Project (sponsored by Jigsaw Homes) – Heritage Brought Alive
Putting together the entire history and heritage of a borough is not an easy task. Where to start? Well that’s exactly what this group of volunteers had to do when they agreed to steer this project to bring alive the heritage of Gedling Borough.
Their dedication, enthusiasm and leadership abilities, as well as countless hours of their own time, ensured that the project was a great success. They produced a booklet, video, website, tourism leaflet, heritage festival as well as several walks, talks and film showings attended by over 1,000 people.
This project has raised awareness of the rich heritage of Gedling and will have a direct contribution to an increase in visitors to the area. These volunteers truly demonstrated what it means to sacrifice their time and skills and to give of themselves for the benefit of others, without any thought of financial gain.