TOWN COUNCIL CELEBRATES NEWBURY'S LOCAL HEROES
The Annual Newbury Town Civic Awards presentation took place on Wednesday 19th March 2025. The awards presented included the Newbury Town Civic Award, the Newbury Town Young Person’s Civic Award, the Newbury Town Business Civic Award, the Newbury Town Environmental Contribution Award, and the Newbury Town Local Community Group Civic Award.
The awards recognise the town’s unsung heroes who go above and beyond to help make an exceptional contribution to the Newbury community on a voluntary basis.
The Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Andy Moore, said “We received so many exceptional nominations for this year’s awards. All nominees showed dedication and commitment to their causes, and the variety of nominations show what a wonderful town we live in where people are willing to give their time and energy helping the community”.
The Winner of the Newbury Town Civic Award 2025 was Bob Whiting.
Bob Whiting has been a dedicated volunteer in Newbury and West Berkshire for over 40 years, supporting several causes. He has given much of his time to the MS Society, helping with transport and organising fundraising events. Since 2019, Bob has also been a key volunteer with the Newbury Handybus and Volunteer Car Scheme, providing transport and companionship to elderly and disabled residents. Bob’s selflessness extends to the West Berkshire Therapy Centre, where he noticed a need and quickly became an essential part of the team. Known for his humility, Bob always downplays his role, believing he’s simply giving back to society. His kindness and reliability have touched many lives, offering support to isolated older people and hope to those facing illness. Bob’s story shows how one person’s dedication can inspire positive change in the community.
The winner of the Newbury Town Young Person’s Civic Award was Amy Oliver.
16-year-old Amy volunteers weekly at Swings and Smiles, a charity supporting families with disabled children. She took the initiative to contact the charity, complete safeguarding training, and actively contribute to leading activities like crafts and baking. Despite studying for her GCSEs, she also helps during weekends and special events. Swings and Smiles recently praised Amy for her dedication, highlighting her kindness, problem-solving skills, and ability to help the children develop social skills. She is a valued member of their community, making her an excellent candidate for this award.
The Newbury Town Local Community Group Civic Award was presented to Fair Close Centre Meals on Wheels Volunteers.
The Fair Close Centre provides a vital Meals on Wheels service, delivering hot meals daily to housebound senior citizens in Newbury and Thatcham. In the week leading up to the awards, they delivered 350 meals with the help of 27 dedicated volunteers, who also conduct wellbeing checks during each visit. Meals are served on a regular schedule, with a variety of nutritious and freshly cooked options. This service plays a crucial role in helping seniors maintain their independence and stay in their homes, reducing the need for costly social care. The team of volunteers has shown exceptional commitment, making them deserving of recognition for their hard work and dedication.
The winner of the Newbury Town Business Civic Award was Apple Print & Creative.
Apple Print and Creative (AP&C) has made a meaningful contribution to local causes through their creativity and generosity. Recently, they offered pro bono marketing support, which included designing a new website and creating a visually impactful bus wrap for a charity campaign. These efforts have significantly boosted the organization's visibility and outreach, allowing them to connect with more young people in need of support. AP&C’s continued guidance, dedication to the cause, and collaborative approach make them an excellent example of community-driven business engagement.
The winner of the Newbury Town Environmental Contribution Award was The Community Furniture Project.
The Community Furniture Project (CFP) is a re-use charity that relies heavily on its team of over 70 dedicated volunteers, who support the charity in various ways, from accepting and cleaning donations to repairing furniture and electrical items. Volunteers play a crucial role in recycling approximately 77,000 household items, 800 bicycles, and 3,000 electrical items annually, contributing to a reduction of 1,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions. CFP collaborates with local charities to share resources like food and recycled computers, ensuring that donations go to those in need rather than being wasted. Their commitment to sustainability and community support has made them an exemplary organisation within the re-use network.
All nominees were invited to a Presentation Ceremony where they were each recognised and given a certificate for their achievements. The winners received a trophy, and their name engraved on the Town Hall’s perpetual awards to go on display.
Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Andy Moore congratulated all the nominees for their outstanding achievements.
