'Driving forces' in Harrogate community get their place in spotlight in North Yorkshire Community Awards
“The Community Awards are a fantastic way of honouring the everyday heroes in North Yorkshire who improve the lives of residents in so many aspects”
Volunteers from Harrogate credited with bringing people together and making life better for the community have featured in a list of awards by North Yorkshire Council presented in Harrogate today.
Among the community workers and organisations recognised in this year’s North Yorkshire Community Awards are Bilton’s Greta Knight and the team behind Starbeck Cricket Club.
The ceremony was held at the Wider Partnership Conference at the Pavilions of Harrogate today, Friday, October 16.
In the Commitment to the community category, Harrogate’s Greta Knight received a a runners-up award.
For more than 25 years, Greta has been a driving force in the Bilton community, serving as chair of Bilton and Woodfield Community Library since its founding, supporting Bilton Community Centre, and previously managing St Michael’s Charity Shop on a voluntary basis.
In 2020, Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, which provide many events to benefit the whole community, as well as providing all the services expected of the library, was recognised in North Yorkshire’s Library of the Year awards.
Other notable award success stories included Starbeck Cricket Club, who were runners-up in the Wellbeing and community connection category.
North Yorkshire Council’s chair, Coun David Chance, said: “We are always bowled over by the examples of lifechanging work of individuals and community groups who give their time to support and strengthen the places where they live.
“Our Community Awards shine a light on the positive impact they have, and I would like to thank everybody who submitted nominations and congratulate the winners, runners-up and those highly commended.”
The winners in the North Yorkshire Community Awards received £1,000 for the project, group or nominated relevant local charity.
Two runners-up in each category received £250.
A total of 66 nominations were made across three categories in this year’s Community Awards.
Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: "The Community Awards are a fantastic way of honouring the everyday heroes who improve the lives of residents in so many aspects.
"Every year, we hear inspiring stories from those who send in nominations, spanning our urban and rural areas, and from differing backgrounds.”