Celebrating the Successes of Newtown – 2023
Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council were delighted to hold the 2nd Celebration of Newtown Awards 2023 on Wednesday the 19th April 2023 at Theatre Hafren. The Town Council held the event to recognise and celebrate those individuals, groups and organisations who have made a positive impact over the last year to Newtown and the local area.
Cllr John Byrne, Mayor of Newtown opened the night, stating “This year we saw once again some excellent stories of those nominated for the awards being presented this evening – again highlighting the talent and kindness in our town. Alongside those awards we are here tonight to celebrate and recognise those groups to whom your Town Council has awarded a Community Grant and those businesses who employ and release on call firefighters.”. The Mayor’s chosen charities, The Salvation Army and Dementia UK both delivered speeches which highlighted the amazing work they deliver in the community.
The first award of the evening was given in recognition of the collaborative work between Citizens Advice Powys and Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council. Yasmin Bell, CEO of Citizens Advice Powys presented the award to Kaleidoscope.
Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn are proud to deliver the opportunity for local groups and organisations to apply for the Community Grant throughout the year. The funds can provide vital resource to these organisations, which fundamentally benefits members of the community. Our Community Fund Recognition Award Category aimed to recognise the incredible work done by organisations here in Newtown. The awards were presented to:
Community Fund Recognition Awards
- Gwent & Powys Army Cadet Force – Newtown
- Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre
- Northside Community Association
- Ponthafren
- 2nd Newtown Guides Unit
- Happy Holidays – Hub of Hope Foundation
- Dementia Friendly Newtown
- Bike to the Future
- Newtown Robert Owen Scout Group
- 1st Newtown Rainbows
- 2nd Newtown Brownies
- Derw Bach
- Fixt Bike CIC
- Newtown Food Surplus
- Maldwyn Harriers Athletics Club
- Newtown Textile Museum
- Cultivate
- Magik Incorporated
- Newtown Community Café
- Heritage Hub 4 Mid Wales
- Rekindle Home
- Creative Stuff Newtown CIC
- Oriel Davies Gallery
The following award categories, comprised of, Employers of On -Call Firefighters, Volunteer of the Year, Young Person or Youth Group of the year, Business of the Year, Climate Award and Sports Award. Presented by Cllr John Byrne, Mayor who said “We are here this evening to quite simply celebrate and recognise the amazing talent, kindness and success of residents and businesses in Newtown. It is heart-warming to bring together all of you here this evening.”
Congratulations to all our worthy Winners and Runner Ups listed below:
Sports Award: Steve Cox
Climate Award:
- Winner – Newtown Food Surplus
- Runner Up – Skincare BOOtique
Young Person/Youth Group Award:
- Winner – N.Y.P Theatre Group
- Runner Up – Kyan Spence
Business of the Year Award:
- Winner – Evabuild
- Runner Up – Hummingbird
Volunteer of the Year Award:
- Winner – Andrew Coppin
- Runner Up – George Morgan
Closing the evening on a very special and prestigious award, Rory Evans, known for his ghost walks and fundraising, was presented with an Honorary Freeman of Newtown Award .Cllr Richard Edwards, Chair of Economy & Environment Committee announced “Rory is a valued member of the community, with empathy for others and a fantastic character. Rory has raised thousands of pounds for charities and causes, he makes a huge difference to people’s lives. Rory is a well-known figure for his famous “ghost walks”, along with giving talks, writing books and bike rides. A well-deserved recognition for his dedication to Newtown”. Rory is the only living person to receive this honour.
Commenting on the successful community focus celebratory event, Ed Humphreys, Town Clerk added: “The event recognised what collective and individual kindness and energy there is in Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, and celebrated it together. To do so publicly added to the spirit of mutual support across public, private and voluntary sectors. One of the town council’s roles is to be an enabler of others, and this event , with the grants and awards are a visible demonstration of that. To be with some of the people who have been prepared to stand up and try to make a difference for the better to their own community was indeed a privilege and a pleasure”.
Picture: Rory Evans receiving Honorary Freeman of Newtown Award, with Cllr J Byrne, Mayor of Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn (Right) and Cllr Richard Edwards, Chair of Economy & Environment Committee (Left).
