'I am gobsmacked' says Twyford's Citizen of the Year winner

Individuals, groups, organisations and businesses who contribute to life in Twyford were honoured on Monday March 18 at the Twyford Together Community Awards.

The event, held at The Royal Oak Ruscombe, brought key village figureheads, fundraisers and service providers together in celebration of their work in the community.

Twyford Together chairman Rob Yeadon thanked everyone for their nominations and sponsorship as he co-presented each of the nine awards to the worthy winners.

Care company Home Instead collected the Business of the Year award and Community Group of the Year went to the Twyford Tennis Club.

Family-fun restaurant La Fontana won the Food and Drink award and Maya’s Refillables won the Go Green Together award.

Simply Fit’s Melissa Buckle won the Sportsperson of the Year award and Teacher of the Year went to Sally Gingell from Polehampton Infants.

And a double award for Young Achievers of the Year went to Paralympic swimming hopeful Elowyn Meeres and Sophie Taylor.

There was also an award that was collected by two community members as they picked up Charity of the Year for the Polehampton Swimming Association.

The organisation works around the year to manage a community swimming pool which offers various weekly sessions for everyone. It opens for 2024 on May 4.

For her community and fundraising efforts Lisa Fouweather won the Gordon Storey Award, an award created last year to honour the late Gordon Storey who did so much for the village.

Lisa said she was ‘surprised’ to receive the award as there are ‘so many deserving people in the village that work towards making Twyford a great village.’

She continued:

“I was thrilled to win the Gordon Storey Award. I really enjoy being part of the Twyford Together community and it was extra special to get recognition for the work I do. I was hugely fond of Gordon, and to win his ‘special award’ is so important to me on a personal level.

“I have already been involved in the Piggott School Enterprise project, as a mentor and a judge. As the main sponsor, I am in the process of planning the third annual Gordon Storey Football Tournament on June 29th.

“This event is getting bigger each year, and is a great way to remember and honour Gordon.

"I will also be helping at the Twyford Fun Run again, and volunteering at the Twyford Beer Festival. We are also holding our own celebration of 20 years in business at the Kitchen and Bathroom Place in May, and will be hosting an event at our showroom with our local customers. It is great to be involved with these lovely events in the heart of our amazing village.”

A special Citizen of the Year Award was also given out during the evening by Twyford Parish Council.

It went to Twyford Beer Festival creator Ian Wisdom.

John Bowley, vice chair of Twyford Parish Council, said of Ian:

“We were delighted to be able to award the title of Twyford Citizen of the Year to Ian. 

"His dedication over the years has not only raised awareness but also thousands of pounds for Orchid, a men’s cancer charity.”

Ian said: “I am gobsmacked to have received the Citizen of the Year award but everything I do is very much a team effort.  We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Twyford Beer Festival on the 6th, 7th & 8th June.”

The event, which grows in popularity each year, takes place in Stanlake Meadow and is family and dog-friendly.  It features music, beer, cider, food, fizz and spirits.  

Tickets are available now: www.twyfordbeerfest.co.uk