On Thursday 22nd February, Bolton at Home held their annual Stars of the Community awards evening at the Premier Suite in the Macron Stadium.
The programme began with an excellent performance by the Bolton Youth Brass band and then Tracy Woods, Chair of Bolton at Home, and Jon Lord OBE, Chief Executive, gave their speeches of welcome to the assembled audience of more than 400 and thanked the sponsors and everyone who helped to organise the event.
After a very tasty dinner, there was more musical entertainment from The Lazy Maybees and then the award presentations began – with well-known comedian and musician Norman Prince, former front man for the popular band Houghton Weavers, once again acting as host and, as always, interspersing his duties with amusing, often mildly acid observations.
This year there were nearly 100 nominees for awards across nine categories:
Sparkling Environment Star
Winners: Breightmet Litter Picking Superstars
Highly commended: The Litter Pickers of Johnson Fold
Outstanding Achievement Star
Winner: Louise Kirkman
Highly commended: Tracey Booth
Stronger Community Star
Winner: New Bury Vision Group
Highly commended: Four Seasons United
Spirit of Youth Star
Winner: Christopher Buckett
Highly commended: Bethany Weall and New Bury Inspirational Youth
Personal Achievement Star
Winner: Tracy Moran
Highly commended: Kelly Heselwood
Healthy Community Star
Winner: On Your Own Club, Tonge Moor
Highly commended: Tonge Moor Men in Sheds
Taking a Stand Star
Winners: Aminabhen Patel & Shantilal Jotangia
Highly commended: Michael Dutton
Bolton at Home Star
Winner: Ogechi Ajet, Debt & Money Advice Mentor
Highly commended: Janet Lord and Derek Warburton
Our Star in Europe
There were two winners:
FAST Romania – award presented to Daniel & Ema Hristea,
Oltalom Hungary – award presented to Andras Szalay & Janos Bibo
After the award presentations, a closing speech was given by Noel Sharpe, Bolton at Home’s Executive Director Customer and Place.