The winners of this year’s Community Awards were recently announced at the Mayor of Carlisle’s Civic Dinner.

In its 20th year, the awards celebrate the people who have dedicated their time to supporting and aiding the local community. There were eight winners announced on the evening,

Carlisle People First were the first winners of the evening. The charity was set up by people who have been given various labels of learning and physical disability but through sharing their stories and supporting each other they grew in confidence to tell and show others that these labels are not what defines them. The group spread this message across Carlisle and are now a county wide organisation running a wide range of projects.

Anne Dalton was next to be awarded. Mrs Dalton contributes to community groups like Harraby Together We Can which was set up to be actively involved in the development of the old school site to create a new facility for the community. Anne is a trustee of Harraby Community Centre and she started the Carlisle Community Choir & Carlisle Singers, who deliver singing to care homes and day-care centres.

The winner of the Independent Community Group award was The Magpie Inn Bowling Club. Laura and George Parsons formed the community group who care and maintain the bowling green and its surroundings which have now been restored from previously being neglected, to the now prestige condition.

Christopher Ormandy was the fourth winner of the evening. The retired chairman of the Lowry Hill Residents Association revitalised the organisation at root and branch, developing facilities, events and projects for the benefit of the whole community.

The fifth winner of the night was Geoffrey Round whose formal positions are a Wetheral Parish Councillor for the Cumwhinton & Cotehill ward and Secretary to the Cumwhinton Village Hall management committee. As secretary, Geoff has kept the hall and its programme full of activities.

The next award winners were Keith and Janette Scott who coordinated donations on behalf of Penrith Methodist Church to support the councils homeless and accommodation services by donating items which are used to assist people to set up home when they are rehoused by the City Council.

The seventh win went to Reverend Keith Teasdale who was inducted as Vicar of St Cuthbert’s in 2010. He is an active member of the City Centre fraternal and Churches together in Carlisle and District. Keith’s input into City Centre open air worship was highly commended.

The final winners were David and Anne Williams. Anne is the current Chair of Friends of Rickerby Park. Friends of Rickerby Park is now entering its 10th year and helps maintain and improve one of Carlisle’s best loved beauty spots.