Hundreds of members of the community turned out in their finery to this year's Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards.

Held at the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy on Friday April 19, the event was created to recognise the best and brightest individuals, teams and businesses across the borough.

Nominees were put forward by their community for their dedication to their chosen category.  

Sean Taylor, the chair of the Pride of Bracknell Awards Committee welcomed award nominees, winners and guests to the sparkling evening following a cocktail reception at the Royal venue.

He said: "I am delighted to celebrate our wonderful community again this year. The awards play an important role in the local area, giving recognition to those people and organisations that make our community flourish.

"After a triumphant return to form last year, we are more excited than ever to celebrate our local heroes at this year’s ceremony. We’re extremely grateful to all our sponsors for their generous support.

"These awards bring together education, business, sports and leisure, local government and the voluntary sector, to celebrate the best in our community."

Bracknell-born footballer Ade Williams and Radio Presenter Andrew Peach presented the awards alongside a variety of sponsors from across Bracknell.

Ade Williams, who has a strong connection to Bracknell, opened the 19th annual awards which he has presented alongside his Peach for many years.

He said: "For me, Bracknell is still home, I bought my first house in Bracknell and it will always feel like home for me. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be part of it this evening. 

"I've been doing this for 10 years and every year it seems to get bigger and better. We see some truly inspirational individuals receiving the recognition they so richly deserve, and all our finalists are truly worthy of being here." 

Nominees received over 500 nominations from the local community who have watched them thrive in their field. 

Here are the results from the 2024 Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards.

Results

NHS School Art Competition

1st place - Erin Patricia Read (St Josephs Catholic Primary School)

2nd place - Jessie Gray (Wildmoor Heath School)

1st place - Logan McGovern (St Margaret's Clitherow School)

 

Business of the year

Gold Award - The Newtown Pippin

Silver Award - Honda

 

Charity of the year

Gold Award - Bracknell Foodbank

Silver Award - Youthline

 

John Nike Adult's Award 

Gold Award - Sharon Bowden

Silver Award - Victoria Andrews

 

John Nike Young Persons Award 

Gold Award - Angel Sande 

Silver Award - Ollie Perry

 

Long Standing Service to the Community 

Janet Mauler

 

School of the year

Gold Award - Winkfield St Marys CE Primary School

Silver Award - Rise@GHC

 

Sports & Achievement Adult's Award 

Gold Award - Neil Graham

Silver Award - Baz Cilia

 

Sports & Achievement Young Person Award 

Gold Award - Mohammad (Manny) Safari 

Silver Award - Isabelle Rae

 

Teacher of the Year

Gold Award - Lisa Fazey

Silver Award - Phil Mortimer

 

Team of the year

Gold Award - Brakenhale's Combined Cadet Force 

Silver Award - Home-Start Bracknell Forest

 

Young Person in Business - Jacob Day

Special Recognition Awards 

Brad Clapson

Ruth Jackson 

Monika Taplin

Guests were entertained throughout the night by the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy brass band, the Uplands Primary School Choir and the Artemis Performing Arts School choir. 

To celebrate sustainable living across the borough, Cllr Mary Templeton organised a 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' project alongside Bracknell primary schools which was celebrated on the night.

School children were asked to design a poster encouraging residents of Bracknell to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 1000 entries were shortlisted to 200 which were presented at the drinks reception for all to see. 

The Deputy Lieutenant Lindsey Beard collected the prizes for the three winners of the Primary School Competition.

Honorable mention was given to Dexter Winfield, from Great Hollands Primary School for his poster.

Third place was awarded to Logan McGovern from St Margaret's Clitherow School, second place was awarded to Jessie Gray from Wildmoor Heath School and first place was awarded to year six pupil from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Erin Patricia Read. 

Cllr Mary Templeton said: "This celebration is such a testament to what Bracknell Forest is. There are so many inspirational individuals up for nomination tonight who have done so much for the local community.

"The Reduce, Reuse and Recycle project is so close to my heart. I am hoping to pitch the idea to the NHS to see if they would like to take it on as a national campaign."