THE High Sheriff of Clwyd’s annual community awards were held on March 9 at Brynkinalt, Chirk - home of the current High Sheriff, Kate Hill-Trevor. 

Those invited to attend were nominated by others in the community and the High Sheriff was able to recognise and personally thank them for their dedication and commitment to the voluntary sector and their communities.

The winners from Denbighshire and Conwy were as follows:

Conwy

  • Jenny and Hughie Fitzpatrick, in recognition of their work to support the communities of Kinmel Bay.
  • Ann Vaughan, in recognition of her work to support the communities of Bro Cernyw.
  • Incredible Edible Colwyn, in recognition of their work establishing a number of community edible gardens in Colwyn Bay. 

Denbighshire

  • Nerys Haf Biddulph, in recognition of her work to support refugee communities in Rhyl and Prestatyn. 
  • Malcolm Wilkinson, in recognition of his work with Friends of the Ffrith and community groups in Prestatyn and Meliden.
  • The Denbigh Workshop, in recognition of their summer school programme working with disadvantaged young people.
  • Rhyl Boxing Club -  winners of the Crimebeat North Wales Project of the Year in Clwyd.

Rhyl Journal: High Sheriff of Clwyd's Community Awards - Group PictureHigh Sheriff of Clwyd's Community Awards - Group Picture (Image: Submitted)

She said: “Being High Sheriff is a tremendous privilege which has given me the opportunity to learn more about the uplifting projects that are happening here in North Wales and to meet some incredible people. 

“Volunteers are active at the heart of every UK community, and it is very clear that the millions of people who give their time and skills to charities and community projects are quite simply an essential part of the world today.

“However, this work often goes unseen and unsung.

“These awards give me an opportunity to recognise a small number of the volunteers and organisations who work tirelessly within Clwyd to make a difference to those around them.”

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The High Sheriff welcomed the winners of the Crimebeat North Wales Project of the Year in Clwyd; Rhyl Youth Boxing Club  - chosen in recognition of the done by the club to support young people in Rhyl.

She presented a glass trophy to head coach, Dan Andrews; young player, A-J Hughes; and volunteer coach, PC Simon Keeting of North Wales Police.

She said: “Crimebeat supports projects undertaken to help to keep young people out of trouble, support victims of crime, stimulate an interest in voluntary work, improve school attendance and behaviour and generally improve the lives of everyone in the community.

“This year’s winners are a not-for-profit club who provide boxing training for young people from all social backgrounds as well as those disabilities and several Ukrainian refugees.

“They build friendships, respect and support between different generations and with the police, helping with social cohesion and a reduction in antisocial behaviour issues in the area, and are a wonderful example of the type of project that Crimebeat supports.”

Nominations for the Community Awards are sought each year, with 2 individuals and one group winner being chosen from each of the four areas (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham) that make up the now ceremonial preserved county of Clwyd.