Community Awards 2024
It's the third year of our Pride of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Awards. These awards are the Town Council’s way of thanking exceptional people, groups, and businesses for the tremendous work they do within our community.
The Winners
Culture Award – Victoria Howlett
Victoria runs the "Witchy Social" in Bletchley which has become a positive safe space to shine freely in, for so many people who society may view as a little bit different.
She has made a space where people can be exactly who they want to be, with no fear of discrimination or nastiness. She makes people feel totally welcome whilst providing fun and educational content every single week. She always has a listening ear and actively connects people to support or assistance if they need it.
Customer Service Award – Twice Boutique
Kerrie runs Twice boutique and is passionate about recycling reusing and re-wearing. She offers immaculate secondhand clothing and accessories at low prices for both adults and children. This is good for the environment but also for local low-income families. She conducts herself in a professional but kind and caring manner, always with a smile on her face.
Alongside the shop Kerrie provides free period products to those who need them and donates vast quantities of books once a year to community projects as well as always donating goods or vouchers to many charities or fund raisers.
Climate Champion Award – Mrs Sheila Kennedy
Sheila Kennedy has been keeping lower end of Hunter Drive, and areas around it, free from rubbish all the time she has resided here. Even in inclement weather you will see her out with her picker. Litter picking is not an incredibly fun job but we all like it when the place looks clean and tidy and it really makes a difference. Thank you very much for this valiant work!
Young Persons Volunteer / Charity Award - Haydon Jones
Haydon volunteers at MK Museum as a tour guide. He goes out of his way to make the experience memorable for the younger children and older visitors alike. He really enjoys imparting his historical knowledge to the visitors.
Young Persons Volunteer / Charity Award – Cody Jackson
Not only is Cody the youth councillor for Bletchley, he is also an avid supporter of the MK Food Bank. Having already raised money this year with a sponsored 5k run, he is now signed up to repeat his success at the Superhero next year. MK Food Bank are incredibly grateful for all his efforts.
Volunteer / Charity Award – Susan Knight
Susan has been volunteering in the guiding organization for over 20 years. The girls that she helps benefit from the help and support she unselfishly gives. The payment she receives is being part of a team that take young shy girls and help them on the road to be confident young women. She is an inspiration.
Best Allotment, Larch Grove – Michelle Logan
Michelle Logan has only had her plot at Larch Grove for the last couple of years, but in that time she has created a plot that is a credit to all her hard work. The plot is extremely well maintained and full of a wide variety of lovely produce.
Best Allotment, Manor Fields – Mr R Horton
Mr Horton has been at Manor Fields for many of years, and yet again his plot demonstrates what hard work and build-up of allotment gardening knowledge can produce. The plot is wall to wall fruit and veg.
Best Allotment, Newton Leys – Mark Fishwick
Mark has had his allotment since the first year Newton Leys was opened in 2021. Over the three years he and his plot have demonstrated a consistent good standard of cultivation, each year becoming more bountiful. Newton Leys is the hardest site to work on as the ground has not been cultivated until recently and the site is also relatively exposed. His plot demonstrates what can be achieved.
Best Allotment, Orchard Side – Alan Ritchie (and Sandra Ritchie)
Alan Ritchie is another tenant who has been with the town council allotments for many of years. His plots are always very well maintained and full of a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Sports Award –
Oliwia Sliwka (Trainee Duty Manager),
Oliver Cook (Trainee Duty Manager),
and James Cook (Lifeguard and St Johns Ambulance Cadet)
Thanks to the actions of these three young people, a 16-year old girl is expected to make a full recovery after having collapsed at the Bletchley Leisure Centre. She was found nonresponsive and not breathing. They administered CPR and used the AED /Defibrillator, while they awaited the arrival of the emergency services.