Civic awards

2016 award winners

Awards were presented in 9 categories.

Our main sponsor for the Civic Awards 2016 was Keepmoat.

Mayor's award for Lifetime Achievement

Sponsored by HW Wilson Ltd

A very special life time achievement award celebrating a person for their outstanding contribution and dedication to the borough over their lifetime.

Nominees were:

  • Jennifer Benet
  • Brian Cheeseman
  • Demus Lee – winner
  • Anne White
  • Susan Wilsdon

Demus Lee is passionate about Thurrock and the people who live here, constantly campaigning and involved in so many groups. Local people have benefitted from over £2 million in grants and fundraising as a direct result of his dedication.

Stronger Together Community award

Sponsored by Stronger Together Partnership

This award recognises an individual, community group or organisation who is involved in bringing together communities through a local project or community event. Or one which has excelled in supporting local communities to support themselves.

Nominees were:

  • Jenny Codling – winner
  • Len Orpin
  • Roger Passfield
  • Stanford Facebook Group
  • Thurrock Prince's Trust Volunteers

Jenny Codling has been running the Tilbury branch of the Food Bank for a number of years bringing people together and making them feel included in their community. She also regularly volunteers and is irreplaceable.

Creative Excellence award

For an individual or organisation that contributed to raising the profile of the arts in the Thurrock; art, amateur dramatics or music. This person may be the star of the show or they could work behind the scenes, helping to make it happen.

Nominees were:

  • Cieran Exley
  • Jordan Gray
  • Nadine Herrett
  • Jan Thurnell – winner
  • Hannah Woolmer

Jan Thurnell has been active within Scouting in Thurrock for nearly 50 years and for the whole time she has been involved in the Gang Show. In her 40 years as Director, she has inspired many hundreds of young people to display their talents on stage.

Sporting Legacy award

For an individual or club that has contributed to a lasting sporting legacy in Thurrock by encouraging more participation in sport. It is also to celebrate and thank those who give their time to working behind the scenes at local sporting clubs and groups.

Nominees were:

  • Mark Adams – winner
  • Grays Judo, Tessa Sanderson Foundation
  • Paul Hayes
  • Daniel Hodgson
  • Trevor Rawson

Mark Adams has worked with hundreds of children in the local area in the last 20 years, has been involved with raising money for cancer research and the club also works closely with the Jack Petchey foundation.

Environmental Champion award

Sponsored by Anglian Water

Recognising those who work to celebrate or protect the environment we live in. It could be someone who champions recycling or is involved with an environmental project in the borough.

Nominees were:

  • Friends of Hardie Park
  • Peggie King
  • Elaine Lee
  • Sandra Still – winner
  • Lin Swords

Sandra Still has been a volunteer warden for Essex Wildlife Trust for over 20 years helping manage one of the largest (41 acres) reed beds in Essex at Stanford Warren and managing a team of volunteers.

Young Achiever award

This award celebrates an inspirational young person who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community, demonstrating leadership, commitment and enthusiasm. Must be 25 years-old or under.

Nominees were:

  • Rhys McArdle
  • Ryan O'Keefe
  • Sam O'Neill – winner
  • Jazz Smith
  • Kate Surridge

Sam O'Neill is actively involved in the work of the Youth Cabinet including reviewing health services in Thurrock, counselling training with The Samaritans, working with local transport and training with Essex Police to become a hate crime ambassador.

Business in the Community awards

Sponsored by Thurrock Enquirer

Thurrock has many outstanding businesses that play a crucial role in the economic well-being and improvement of life in the borough. This award recognises the businesses that have invested in Thurrock to make it a better place to live and work.

Nominees were:

  • Cedar Hall Clinic, Sara Lovett and Jacki Milne
  • HW Wilson Ltd, Peter Wiffen and Philip Pearson
  • Madstone Ltd, Moe Darr – winner
  • The Martial Academy, Daniel Hodgson
  • Wharf Shipping Services Ltd, Kevin Sorenson

Madstones Ltd is a local company employing local people, has been involved with a number of projects across Thurrock, including donating and maintaining the Holocaust Memorial in High View Gardens, Grays.

Healthy Living award

Sponsored by Procter and Gamble

For an individual or organisation that has improved their own or the health and well-being of their local community.

Nominees were:

  • Kim Currie
  • Daniel Hodgson
  • Trevor Rawson
  • Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Community First Responders – winner
  • Charlotte Yoxall

Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Community First Responders have been running for four years. Trained in basic life support by the East of England Ambulance Service, the volunteers attend life-threatening emergencies and are often first at the scene.

Rachel Middleton award

Sponsored by Thurrock Gazette

For an individual who has shown extreme personal courage in the face of adversity through illness or disability.

This is a particularly special award in memory of Rachel Middleton who fought a brave battle with cystic fibrosis but, while waiting for a heart and lung transplant, sadly died at the age of 18. Rachel’s courage was an inspiration to everyone as she campaigned tirelessly for the nation to carry donor cards, highlighting her personal struggle in the hope of helping those in a similar situation.

Nominees were:

  • Richard Banyard
  • Barrie Lawrence – winner
  • Kevin North
  • Patricia Webb

Barrie Lawrence has dedicated his life to some sort of service to the people of his community, a councillor and an active member of his church, Barrie has retained many of his connections and remains positive despite debilitating illness and injury.