We are pleased to announce this year’s Youth and Adult category winners of the Shining Light of Bradford on Avon Award, which celebrates contributions to our community by outstanding individuals, nominated by the public.
Shining Light Adult Award – Pip Maguire
Pip has been active in the community for many years; volunteering and raising money for charities both home and abroad. Pip also learnt sign language and has since delivered training to local schools.
She received many nominations for the award with one saying:
“This lady is a blessing to our community! She made me and my children feel we belonged here over 16 years ago and was there for me years later when my partner died suddenly. She genuinely cares about people and is naturally compassionate. Pip is a kind, caring, giving person who deserves to be recognised for all she has done in Bradford on Avon.”
Another said:
“She is always the first to help anyone in need – from popping round for a quiet chat, through to organising meal drops for those unable to get out. All in all she is a modern day hero!”
Pip has been running the Friday morning Little Fishes toddler group at the Youth and Community centre for over 20 many years and has touched many families with her kindness.
Shining Light Youth Award – Ellie Davies
Ellie attended the first Climate Emergency Steering Group meeting hosted by the Town Council in August and was inspired by a talk about bees and the implications of biodiversity loss on them and other pollinating insects. Following on from this, Ellie took upon herself to organise a bee hotel project and talk for her guide troop.
If you would like to read more about Ellie’s project, read our previous story HERE
Pip and Ellie were awarded their shining light certificates and hampers last week by the Mayor, Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie, and will be given trophies at our Christmas Light Switch-On on Friday 29th November.
We are very grateful to Claire at Strawberry Blue for collecting gifts from local businesses to include in the prize hampers:
Vitality Day Spa, La Cottoniere, Leaf & Bean Trading, Boundless Blooms, By The Way, Heathers, Sassy & Boo, Strawberry Blue and Tudor Cards. The Town Council also added re-usable water bottles to each hamper.
ABOVE: The Mayor, Simon McNeill-Ritchie, holding one of the bee hotels and presenting Ellie Davies with her award and hamper in the Shambles, Bradford on Avon, last Thursday. Photo Lydia Booth Photography
To see Pip and Ellie receive their awards, and give them a well deserved round of applause, come along to our Christmas Lights Switch-On this Friday 29th November!
