Teesdale Mercury Community Pride Awards 2017 – help us find the area's grassroots heroes

THE Teesdale Mercury is to recognise those people who go the extra mile to make Teesdale the special place it is – and we need your help.

Nominations are being sought for the Teesdale Mercury Community Pride Awards 2017.

With the help of dale residents, the newspaper hopes to applaud the efforts of the best, brightest and bravest stars of our dale.

The inaugural awards were presented before a packed audience in The Witham last November and a second ceremony is due to be staged on Thursday, November 9, at the same venue. A panel of judges will select the winners for the big night.

Editor Trevor Brookes said: “It was a joy to present last year’s awards and hail some of the area’s heroes. I’ve always thought Teesdale is such as special place to live and work because it has a great tradition of people getting stuck in and helping others.

“Community life in the dale wouldn’t be the same without all those volunteers who give up their time to organise shows, carnivals, theatre productions and fundraisers.

“They don’t do it for the accolades but we think they should be applauded nonetheless.

“Help us do that by sending us the details of those people who you think should be recognised and tell us why. We’ll do the rest.”

Last year's winners and sponsors

 A new category this year is for photography in recognition of the large numbers of talented enthusiasts who help show off the beauty of Teesdale. Last year’s winners included Anita Thompson, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, who won the inspirational person of the year category. Ms Thompson lost her son, Nick, in a car accident and has since taken part in road safety campaigns.

Other winners included charity fundraiser of the year Chris Read and Judith Tarn who was recognised for her help in saving Forest school from closure in 2016.

Terry Collins, chief executive at Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Pride of Teesdale Awards for the second year running and to be part of such a worthwhile event.

“It’s always a real privilege to see the leading lights in our communities – those who help make Durham such a wonderful place of light – receiving recognition for their amazing efforts.”


HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

WE need your nominations – and it couldn’t be simpler to put someone’s name forward.

In no more than 200 words, tell us who you are nominating, which category you would like to enter them in and why – what makes them so special? Please include the phone number/email address of the person you are nominating. Also include your own phone number/email address so we can get in touch with you if we need to. The deadline for nominations is September 16.


SEND YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE

SEND nominations via post or email to editor@teesdalemercury.co.uk or write to Community Awards, Teesdale Mercury, 24 Market Place, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NB. Or supply all the information requested and message us on Facebook

THE CATEGORIES

THIS year’s categories for the Teesdale Mercury Community Pride Awards 2017, which is kindly sponsored by Durham County Council:

Individual awards

Charity Fundraiser of the Year – for the individual in the dale who has selflessly and/or imaginatively raised money – whatever the total – for a worthy cause

Public Service Award – for a teacher, education worker, health professional or public sector worker who has gone that extra mile to help others or their community

Contribution to Sport Award – for contribution to sport in any form, whether as an official, organiser, player or supporter

Award for Young Achievement – for young people up to the age of 18 who have made a positive contribution to their school, community or the dale in general

Good Neighbour Award – for the individual in the dale who has gone out of his or her way to help friends and neighbours, without asking for recognition

Volunteer of the Year Award – for an individual who has volunteered their time, energy and/or expertise to the benefit of their community

Group awards

Community Project of the Year Award – for a community group who has successfully carried out a project or venture to the benefit of people in the dale

School of the Year – for a school which has a positive impact on its pupils and the wider community, through an event or activities it has undertaken

Photography

Teesdale photographer of the year (under 16s) – For the talented youngster who’s got an eye for a great picture

Teesdale photographer of the year (over 16s) – There are no shortage of camera enthusiasts in Teesdale and their work is often jaw-dropping. Send us your pictures and be in with a chance of winning

For both photography categories, all pictures must have been taken in the past 12 months. Landscape or portrait formats will be accepted and pictures can be of any subject – on digital, film or smartphone. A maximum of three entries per person. Sorry, no photographs taken by professionals. Include your name, address, and picture caption. If entering the under-16 category, please let us know your age.