Mercury Pride Awards celebrate Teesdale's community heroes

A DALE which “punches above its weight” and the heartfelt stories of folk who make it so special have been celebrated at this year’s Teesdale Mercury Community Pride Awards.

Before a packed audience at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, last Thursday night, the stories of the true heroes of Teesdale were rewarded.

Categories included everything from charity fundraiser of the year to an award for young achievement.

There were cheers when unsung heroes such as Julia Coulthard, who works for King’s Court Care Home, in the town were called up to

the stage to collect their trophies.

Butterknowle’s Tommy Lowther was crowned Inspirational Person of the Year for his work helping veterans through his charity Sporting Force, as well as helping save a woman’s life from a violent assault.

Mr Lowther served in the armed forces before going

on to work for the Metropolitan Police and GlaxoSmithKline.

But post traumatic stress disorder and a bout of depression led him into a downward spiral.

From adversity, he fought back to form Sporting Force to help fellow ex service personnel get training, qualifications and jobs in the sports industry. On receiving his award, he paid tribute to Jacqui Nicholson for all her work with Sporting Force, before extending heartfelt thanks to his wife and colleague, Joanne, for helping him through the tough times.

He said: “My wife has stood by me – it was her who single-handedly helped me through.”

Guest speaker Adrian Jenkins, director of the Bowes Museum, made mention of the strides the museum had made during its 125th anniversary year and the work it had done to promote the dale in London. He said: “It does much to promote our very small town of 5,500 people in the capital.

“We punch above our weight and, in a sense that’s what tonight is about – people who are achieving and punching above their weight.”

Trevor Brookes, the editor of the Teesdale Mercury, read out the citations.

Earlier, Mr Brookes introduced the ceremony by saying: “We are here tonight to dispel the November gloom by turning the spotlight on some of our unsung heroes who have been nominated for these awards by their friends, families or those who have benefited from their good deeds, kindnesses and determination.

“There are some great stories to tell and it is a reminder of what an amazing part of the world we live in – and what wonderful people live here.”

He added: “Judging the categories has been tremendously hard – Teesdale has a wealth of residents making a real difference to the people and places around them.”