Pride of Rugby honoured

THE PRIDE of Rugby were honoured at the weekend.

Some 300 guests attended the inaugural Rugby FM Pride of Rugby Awards - celebrating the best of businesses and the contribution of people in the community - at Dunchurch Park Hotel on Friday evening (May 10).

The judges included Rugby FM Chief Executive Steve Orchard, Rugby Mayor Kathryn Lawrence, Benn Hall Business Manager Julie Brooker, and Phil Daffern of Hinckley and Rugby Building Society.

Mr Daffern said the standard and number of entries had been "phenomenal" and selecting finalists and winners had been a far from easy task.

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey was a guest speaker on the evening, and as well as addressing the audience he tweeted during the evening “ Fantastic achievements from across community in Rugby recognised #prideofrugby #proudofmyconstituency”

During the evening, the audience heard some stories about the success of local companies as well as inspirational stories from individuals within the community about the work they did.

A raffle on the evening raised over £1000 for the Children’s Air Ambulance with prizes including a tour of the House of Commons.

Rugby FM will be hosting a special programme tomorrow (Friday) at 6pm which will feature interviews from the evening.

Pride of Rugby winners and finalists

Business of the Year: Cwik Skip Waste Management - a family owned and run company established in 1985 with just 13 skips and one vehicle. The company now employs 55 local people and has successfully weathered the tough recent economic times.

Also nominated - Automotive Insulations and CTI Balloons

Small Business: Rugby Fitted Kitchens - founded in 1993 on a promise to deliver outstanding customer service. Continually investing in customer experience, their new showroom on Cottage Leap boasts 23 full displays on two floors and has been generally lauded as the best kitchen showroom in the Midlands.

Also nominated - FRS-Staffingsolutions and Jolly Good Pud Co

Business Person of the Year: Jamie Mornoch - started his company, Monarch Carpets in September 2010, after being made redundant from Allied Carpets when the store shut down in Rugby. Jamie used his redundancy pay to set up a business from his front room, and now has a showroom, warehouse and employs a full time member of staff.

Also nominated - Linda Reynolds and Sandra and Jaide Ellery

Town Centre Initiative: Rugby Tap - opened in July 2012 with a main focus to showcase the diverse range of ales, and ciders, brewed within a 30 mile radius of Rugby. As well as bottled products which are not currently available elsewhere in the town centre, Rugby Tap sells draught ale and cider direct from the barrel for consumption at home.

Also nominated - Smoke No Smoke and March Hair

Green Business: Off Grid Energy Ltd - manufacture a hybrid power solution that reduces fuel consumption and C02 emissions in many industries, including construction and events. The firm is expanding rapidly creating jobs in Rugby, export opportunities and developing technology.

Also nominated - Cwik Skip Waste Management and Nocks Metal Recycling

Hospitality Business of the Year: Delish Deli & Kitchen - was established by Claire Hopkins in September 2012. In just three weeks an empty shell of a unit was converted into an independent coffee shop. The single most important sign of success is the level of loyal, repeat custom. The business employs five staff.

Also nominated - Manor Farm Shop and Tearoom Premiere Inn

Team of the Year: The Rugby Community First Responders - work with West Midlands Ambulance service, responding to emergency calls of all types. The team are all volunteers, giving their time to aid those in need, until the paramedic service arrives. The team respond to all emergencies and attempt to cover Rugby seven days a week.

Also nominated - Bilton Evangelical Church, Rugby Pawprints and Team Tombola

Customer Care: Linda Reynolds - has run her own business as a personal travel agent for 15 years and is now part of the Midcounties Coop Personal Travel Agents Group. This year is Linda's 25th anniversary year in the travel industry. A combination of her expertise and attention to customer care mean that Linda’s business continues to thrive.

Also nominated - Gymophobics Rugby, Rugby Fitted Kitchens and Tom Gaynon and Sons

Citizen of the Year: Diane Trezise - grew up in Long Lawford. She is a lifetime member and volunteer at Rugby Theatre and also works as the theatre secretary as well as co-ordinating the theatre’s youth project, an event that gives children across the borough the opportunity to perform under the guidance and direction of professional theatre directors, choreographers and musical directors.

Also nominated - Robert Collings and Shirley Jones

Carer of the Year: Annette Collier - is a leader for young carers in Rugby who was nominated by one of the young people that she mentors. She helps young people to cope with caring for a relative and arranges trips and activities to give them a break from their daily routine. In her nomination, she was described as “ a kind lady – I don’t know what I would do without her”.

Also nominated - Jeanette Mushing and Susan Garside

Educator of the Year: Rosemary Chapman - is a learning mentor at Henry Hinde Junior School, where she has worked for six years. Learning mentors provide a complementary service to teachers and other staff, addressing the needs of overcoming barriers to learning in order to achieve their full potential. She works with a range of learners, but works especially closely with those experiencing multiple disadvantages.

Also nominated 12th Rugby Scout Group and Sharon Cranmer

Young Achiever of the Year: Hollie Aires - is a successful young singer-songwriter from Rugby. In the past year Hollie has performed her own music at many top UK venues-including the NEC and the O2 Arena as well as national music festivals- including The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee L.I.V.E. Fest in London. Highlights have included performing on the same stage as Ed Sheeran.

Also nominated Chloe Hunt and Sam Phan

Student of the Year: Cara Chillingsworth - is a student on the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA) at the Warwickshire College Rugby Centre. Having grown up in Rugby, Cara later graduated from studying theatre and stage management at university in London and saw potential for a new business venture and took the positive step of returning to Rugby to join the Academy at the College in order to proactively make this happen.

Also nominated Chloe Hunt and Sam Phan

Pride Award - Gordon Burcham is founder and chief instructor of G Force Martial Arts. He has been involved in martial arts for the last 17 years. Gordon’s passion for martial arts teaching is ever present in his work with children from around Rugby. He believes that all children have a champion inside them and through the martial arts this can be unleashed. His mission is through his martial arts teaching he can help change students lives as positively as it has changed his.

Also nominated Pauline Kimber and Cara Chillingsworth

Special Awards:

Christopher Worman - Rugby Borough Council for his service to Rugby.

Chris, Parks and Grounds Manager of Rugby Borough Council was honoured for his commitment to the town through the Rugby in Bloom event. Through his leadership and vision the town has benefitted from projects like the Caldecott Park redevelopment, The Diamond Woods and the plans for Whitehall Recreation ground come forward. These are lasting legacies for the Borough and our communities to enjoy.

David Barby – The second special award was dedicated to the late antiques expert David Barby who passed away in 2012. David was born in Rugby and was a regular face on television. The affection in which he was held became apparant when The Observer ran the story of his death and was inundated with comments from people around the world. David’s wife Janet Barby, who accepted the trophy award, said it was "completely overwhelming, unexpected and precious".

Buy photos» Young Achiever Hollie Aires is presented with her award by Ken Kelly of GE. (s)

Buy photos» Small Business award - Rugby Fitted Kitchens. (s)

Buy photos» Coun Leigh Hunt presents the Rugby Pride Award to Gordon Burcham. (s)

Buy photos» Chris Worman received a special award for his service to Rugby. (s)

Buy photos» Business Person of the Year Jamie Marnoch is presented with his award by Jim Griffin, managing director at Automotive Insulation. (s)

Buy photos» Student of the Year Cara Chillingsworth receives her award from Alstom director Iain Rutherford. (s)

Buy photos» Educator of the Year - Rosemary Chapman. (s)

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