Bradley Stoke Matters was pleased to once again be involved in supporting the Outstanding Women’s Awards this year and to be invited to the entertaining Awards night this evening (16th March), where the winners were announced.

With circa 20 events having taken place over the last two weeks across Patchway, Filton and the Stokes to celebrate International Women’s Day, this evening’s celebrations were shorter than previous years with the focus being on the Awards themselves.  After a reception of wine and canapies kindly provided by the Mercure Grange Hotel, the approximately 100 strong audience of invited guests, nominees, friends and families were treated to two indian dance displays from local volunteers and four ballet performances from local community group Ballet Bristol.

Host Claire Emery (FTP and Governor at BSCS) introduced Winsome Barrett Muir from Southern Brooks Community Partnership, who’s hard work has once again enabled the International Women’s Day celebrations and Outstanding Women’s Awards to take place.  Winsome announced the nominees in each category who each received a certificate and bunch of flowers before declaring the overall winner for each award.

As always, with such an amazing array of talent, time and effort being expended in the community by these deserving nominees, the judges found it extremely hard to pick a winner in each category.  Winners, along with brief details and judges comments are included below. 

A Huge Well Done to everyone who was nominated this year.  Your efforts are certainly appreciated and you play a really important part in your community.
 

Community Award Winner: Margaret Davies

“The judges were impressed by Margaret’s selfless dedication and service to the ladies of Filton for over 17 years. This is the highest number of nominations received for a single individual in the 4 years that the OWA have been running.” judges’ comment

Margaret Davies received 6 separate nominations for this year’s Outstanding Women’s Award for her work in the Community, particularly with the Filton Ladies group. Margaret and her husband moved to Filton in 1973 and have been actively involved with many local groups since then. She helped set up the Filton Ladies some 17 years ago and has been Chair ever since! The group is for local women of all ages and meets weekly every Thursday afternoon at St Andrew’s Church Hall. It’s a friendly group that encourages ladies to meet others, make new friends, have lots of laughter and enjoy a good quality of life. Some of the comments on her nomination forms are as follows:

‘She is irreplaceable, a lifeline, nothing is too much trouble for her, she always puts us first before herself and very much deserves this award”  Lavinia Williams

“We are all elderly – how would we cope without her? I don’t think anyone else would take the job on there is too much work attached to it.’” Eleanor Stafford

“Margaret is truly a selfless and lovely lady” Barbara May Elvin

Margaret is an amazing lady who gives up her time to help others, now retired but still as busy as ever. Margaret told us that her son quotes “you are not retired mum you are just tired from all that you do for all those other people!”, but Margaret wouldn’t have it any other way. The passion and enthusiasm that she has for the Filton Ladies group is really apparent. A really deserving winner. We hope Margaret can take some time off to enjoy her prize of a weekend in one of their hotels courtesy of the Mercure North Bristol Grange Hotel.

Business Woman’s Award Winner: Dr. Elizabeth Todd

“Dr. Todd has been a major player not only in providing the health provision (for the town) but also in building the community of Bradley Stoke over the last 25 years.”  judges’ comment

When house building commenced in Bradley Stoke 25 years ago in 1987 Dr Todd set up her practice single headedly in a modular cabin in Woodlands Park. She was later joined by a nurse and eventually she and her growing team moved to Brook Way in 1991. The practice has expanded tremendously and many more doctors , nurses and health visitors have joined her; so much so that the major extension became necessary, which was completed in 2010. Dr Todd has worked full time in this practice since its beginning.

Apart from being known for her position as a doctor, Dr Todd has also done many things for all age groups within the community. She became a start-up governor and subsequently a governor for Wheatfield School and provided space at the surgery to facilitate offices for the setting up of Holy Trinity School and the Community Association.

In the early days of Bradley Stoke, although there was some provision for the young people by way of play groups etc., Dr Todd set up “The Immortals” as a way of introducing some of the older people in the community to each other. The Immortals was a very lively, entertaining and sociable group of people who had meetings at the surgery and external social events. This group certainly meant a lot to the people who joined it.

Dr Todd served as a committed Councillor on the Bradley Stoke Town Council for many years and the Twinning Association with Champs sur Marne near Paris would never have happened but for her tireless endeavours to secure funding and draw up a constitution.

“I feel, that after serving the town for a quarter of a century, Dr Todd is deserving of your Outstanding Business Women’s Award and I do not hesitate to recommend her.” Karen Chandler

Dr Todd’s prize was donated by the WillowBrook Centre.

Young Woman’s Award Winner: Lauren Potter

“The judges were impressed that not only does Lauren help her family but she is also involved in supporting local groups in the community and showing initiative to help the elderly. Lauren comes across as a very caring person.”  judges comment

We all see the negative press that some teenagers get, so it’s great to be see a young person receiving the recognition that they deserve. Lauren undertakes a variety of volunteer work in the community and is very supportive to her family and friends.

Lauren is a much-valued volunteer coach at Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club and a committed member of the Avon & Somerset Police Cadets. She also makes time to help and encourage 3 teens with Autistic needs who are fostered by her grandparents, accompanying them on shopping and cinema trips which they would not be able to make on their own. She is involved in the NCS Volunteer Scheme and even when she had a bad fall and was on crutches she still showed commitment by participating in a project to decorate a commuinity room for young teens, visiting businesses to collect resources for that project and visiting homeless charities. She has helped wrapping Christmas boxes for abroad and is due to visit schools with the Young British youth workers to promote the Volunteer Scheme to other teenagers. Not content with that, she has even recently contacted homecare companies to ask if she could volunteer and help the elderly in the area, by dog walking or shopping for them!

“Lauren has been coaching with BSYFC for the last 2 years….She has developed into a very good referee and a very good coach. Lauren has become a valuable asset to the club.”  Martin Lee, Manager of BSTFC.

“Lauren is a very sensible and generous girl who often puts others needs before her own.”  Lauren’s mum

Lauren’s prize of £100 Mall Vouchers was donated by Bradley Stoke Matters, along with a voucher for £20 towards a hair cut donated by Reflections Hair Salon.

Photos to follow and will be uploaded to our Flickr site and viewable on line.