ON FRIDAY THE 22ND OF OCTOBER, WE TEAMED UP WITH GATE COURT FOOD SERVICES AND STAR GLADE HOMES FOR THE NEW-LOOK SOVEREIGN AWARDS AT THE FIVE-STAR GRAND HOTEL IN EASTBOURNE.

WE WERE CELEBRATING THE CREAM OF LIFE IN THE SOVEREIGN FM AREA – RECOGNISING ANYTHING FROM A SUCCESSFUL NEW BUSINESS, THROUGH TO INDIVUDUALS WITH A HEART OF GOLD.

See the photos HERE

HERE ARE THE WINNERS

MUM OF THE YEAR with ‘Just Learning Day Nursery’.

Wendy Spence

Nominated by her daughter Chelsea. Wendy dedicates all her time to caring for her daughter Connie-Jean, who has a severe brain abnormality, which means she can't see, talk or walk and has severe epilepsy. She drives Connie to Chailey Heritage School five days a week, and attends to her all hours of the day and night.

DAD OF THE YEAR with ‘De Ja Vu.

Aydin Kavakli

Aydin and his wife were a big part of the Save the DGH campaign a couple of years ago. He works long hours to provide for his family, and takes time out from work to pick up kids, or steal some playtime with them. According to his son, Samuel – he makes the best chips in the world too!

FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR with Arndale Shopping Centre.

Stuart Towner

Stuart is the chair of the Town Farm Residents Association, and played a major part in the fundraising for the new playpark at the Maurice Thornton Playing Field, which cost £100,000. Now, there’s a big fundraising effort going on to build a new skatepark too. The target is around £120,000, and they are already around a third of the way there.

COURAGE AWARD with Lifestyle Conservatories.

Margaret Booth

Nominated by her son Christopher, Margaret cared for her mother for a number of years, and over the last few years has stayed strong, despite everything that has been thrown at her – including a stillborn grandchild, and losing both a brother and her husband to cancer. She went through cancer treatment at the same time as her husband, but has kept her family going all the way through.

MAKE A COMMUNITY DIFFERENCE AWARD with Pentlow Nursing Home

Frank O Hara

A posthumous award for the lead fundraiser of the Tuesday O’Hara Fund, which was set up in memory of his daughter who died in 2007, after a four year battle with Lieukemia. The charity raises money to help young cancer sufferers and their families, and is working to provide a special room at the Pevensey Ward of the Eastbourne DGH. Frank worked tirelessly for the charity, alongside holding down a full time job – but died unexpectedly in June on the way back from a fundraising event.

The team now have the money they need to build a room in Tuesday’s name – now they plan on raising more money to build another room in Frank’s name

TOP TEACHER with the Sovereign Centre.

Jon Clark – St Andrews CE Primary

Jon Clark will do anything to inspire his pupils, and isn’t afraid to act the clown. His Head Teacher says he is one of the most creative people she’s ever met.

BEST FRIEND with Companion Care.

Josie Watson

Nominated by her friend Adele Browning. Josie has supported her through a terminal illness in the family, and is always there for support or to help with Adele’s kids  They do charity walks together on a regular basis, and both love the Rocky Horror Show! Josie has always helped Adele in her PTA role at her local school, and has recently taken on the vice chair role alongside her.

BEST BUSINESS

Funky Viking

Mother Georgina Bauer saw a gap in the market, and set up a trendy clothing and shoe shop for children in Grove Road, Eastbourne - which also incorporates  a coffee shop and hairdressers, where children can watch DVD’s while getting their hair cut.

BEST NEW BUSINESS with Ashprint.

The Very Nice Handbag Company (Bob and Jan Smith)

A business which opened its doors around a year ago in the centre of Eastbourne, providing a unique shopping experience – and giving a real eclectic alternative to the mass produced items available in the big 'high street' chains.

SPORTING STARS with The Star Inn, Norman's Bay.

Eastbourne Borough

The award is to recognise their growth over the years, from parks football to the top division of non league football – just one rung below the football league.

They are just one of a handful in their league who are still part-time, which means most weeks they find themselves up against professional teams who’s players train every day.  And they now have the third longest serving manager in the top five divisions of English football – only topped by Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger!!!

PUB OF THE YEAR with Wealden Tyres.

Beach Tavern, Pevensey Bay

Stephan and Sonia Richie took over the pub in July 2009, and have worked hard to turn around a failing business with a poor reputation into a real family pub. They have really become the centre of the local community, with live music, line dancing, wine tasting clubs, the ‘Beach Tavern Belles’ ladies club, Keep Fit Club, Computer Club and a DVD library.

Website - www.gatecourtfood.co.uk

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR with Gatecourt Food Services.

The Malthouse, Hurstmonceux

A family run restaurant – father and son in the kitchen, mother and son front of house. They open for morning coffee and afternoon tea, but also open in the evening as a bistro – offering an imaginative menu, with a foundation on freshly cooked, homemade food using local ingredients as much as possible – and they refresh the menu almost every week.
 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - with Star Glade Homes.

Trevor Weekes

Trevor is the driving force behind East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service – who, this autumn, reach 25 years of helping sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. He actually had a job in London, but quit, because it got in the way of his wildlife rescue work!  A quarter of a century of rescue and fundraising work.