2024 Winners and finalists

Worthy winners of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 2024 Love Where We Live Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony hosted by Jane Fineman (TWBC Head of Finance) in the Assembly Hall Theatre on 4 November.

All the finalists were presented with certificates by Cllr Astra Birch, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities.

The finalists and winners of the categories were:

Charity of the Year

presented by The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells.

Winner: Home-Start South West Kent

a community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families.

Finalists:

• Baby Umbrella
  supports over 1,000 vulnerable new families a year.
• Life and Soul
  working in local schools with children and young people who are at high risk of developing serious mental health problems.

Community Group of the Year

presented by Duncan Matthews, Development Director, Thrive Living by Retirement Villages.

Winner: Royal Tunbridge Wells parkrun

organise a weekly free, fun and friendly community run.

Finalists:

• Sandhurst Celebrates
  independent volunteers raising funds and organising village-wide support for events to celebrate and mark notable occasions.
• Southborough SOS
  collect and remove litter and rubbish, weed, clean and plant their community.

Sportsperson/Team of the Year

presented by Matthew Saunders, Regional Commercial and Operations Manager, Fusion Lifestyle.

Winner: Harriet Court

number one in the UK for her age group, U17, in javelin.

Finalists:

• Cranbrook Juniors Football Club
  inclusive football for all children in Cranbrook and surrounding towns and villages.
• West Kent SFA Girls U11s
  2023/24 winners of the ESFA National Cup final.

Young Volunteer of the Year Award

presented by William Benson, Chief Executive, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Winner: Louisa Traynor

volunteering in local charity shops for nine years, whilst juggling her studies.

Volunteer of the Year Award

presented by Jason Lower, Director of Creative Engagement, Trinity Theatre.

Winner – Carolyn Belcham

volunteering for St George’s Childcare for over 10 years.

Finalists:

• Michael Duffin
  set up Paddock Wood Athletic Club in 1986, coaching and officiating ever since.
• Nell Mellerick
  helps organise Tunbridge Wells Fringe festival and the Winter Lantern Parade, organises events for Southborough Street Community and manages the community pantomime.

Young Sports Achiever of the Year Award

presented by Anthony Whitehorn, President, King Charles’ Old Boys’ Association.

Winner – Emily Bowen 

avid footballer and coach for U5 and U6 teams, qualified referee, sits on Kent FA Youth Council.

Finalists:

• Harriet Court
  number one in the UK for her age group, U17, in javelin.
• West Kent SFA Girls U11s
  2023/24 winners of the ESFA National Cup final.

Good Neighbour Award

presented by Gary Stevenson, Head of Housing, Health & Environment, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Winner: Yvonne Keane

wonderful neighbour and an amazing person who never thinks of herself.

Finalists:

• Maureen Sadler
  always has time for everyone, always happy and full of energy.
• Mike and Sandra Wickens
  exemplary in every way and the best neighbours anyone could wish for.

Green Household Award

presented by Cllr Rob Wormington, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability.

Winner: Linda Hall 

applies energy saving and sustainable practices to everything she does.

Finalists:

• Sarah Cronin
  volunteer with Olio food sharing app.
• Suzanne French
  visiting her home garden and nearby allotment is to realise that she is a sustainability hero.

Green Business Award

presented by Eileen Leahy, Editor, Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine.

Winner: Charlie’s Angels Kitchens

reducing food waste and repurposing surplus food in a green, sustainable, ethical and inspirational way.

Finalists:

• Leania.ai
  encouraging businesses to enhance their operational efficiencies and digitally transform.
• TN Card
  promoting local high street businesses, breathing life into the local economy, championing sustainability and environmental responsibility, giving 10% of memberships to West Kent Mind.