A tribute to Wiltshire - Wiltshire Life

WILTSHIRE LIFE AWARDS
A tribute to Wiltshire
“Very humbling” and “a great county tribute” are just some of the comments about
Wiltshire Life’s awards evening on March 22. Can you spot anyone you know?
Editor-in-chief Mark Allen and judge Carol Haslam
Sandra Pitcairn of sponsor Abicare with Wiltshire Life’s
advertising manager Jane Reid
Maureen White and Sue Hines of the celebrated
Bemerton Heath Street Watch
Dave Veysey, Alvira Scott, sponsors Lizzy and
Keith Acreman and nominee Harry Scott
Paul Sykes (left) of Paul’s Poultry and Game
and his party start the evening well
A warm welcome at
Wiltshire Life’s awards
MARLBOROUGH TOWN hall was the
venue for a champagne reception for 150
nominees, guests and Wiltshire Life staff, as the
magazine celebrated its seventh annual awards
on March 22 on an unseasonably warm day.
The evening is a highlight in the county’s
calendar and some well-known faces mingled
with unsung heroes who were later to get
the biggest of boosts when the awards were
presented. Faces in the crowd included Lady
Ruth Hawley, adventurer David Hempleman-
Adams, former lord lieutenant of Wiltshire John
Bush, leader of Wiltshire Council Jane Scott and
twice mayor of Marlborough Nick Fogg.
Guests enjoyed champagne and canapés of
sushi and quail’s eggs as the air of anticipation
grew. At 7.45pm everyone was called to dinner
in the magnificent Assembly Room.
Cheers: this smiling trio are obviously
enjoying themselves
Who has won? The nominee info
card reveals who is in the running
Anne-Marie Perry of sponsor Abicare
with judge and sculptor Rose Eva
Lyndon Jones of sponsor Total Foot Health
(right) with nominee Dan Wells (centre)
An attentive audience wait to hear who
has won a coveted Wiltshire Life award
Nominee Laura Halford (second right) with Gayle Webb
(left) of sponsor Warminster School
Lifetime Achievement winner John Bush, leader of
Wiltshire Council Jane Scott and judge Nick Fogg
Colin Ford (left) and nominee PC Graham Colwill
(second right) with sponsors Abicare
Nominees Colin and Maggi
Grossi of The Dessert Shop
Sponsors Richard and Sarah Griffiths
(right) share a joke with a guest
A chance to get to know each other over
champagne and canapés
May 2012 WILTSHIRE LIFE 49
PHOTOS BY DOMINIC PARKES, WWW.DOMPICS.COM

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WILTSHIRE LIFE AWARDS
Off to a flying start with BBC Wiltshire presenter Sue Davies
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MArK Allen
welcomed guests and nominees to the
seventh annual Wiltshire Life awards saying
the magazine’s aim was to celebrate excellence
in the county. Everyone then settled down to
a delicious meal, provided by Norma Farrelly
Catering, of chickpea and coriander bavarois,
Moroccan chicken and couscous and passion
fruit and coconut cheesecake, accompanied by
Chilean wines.
At 9.45pm Lady ruth Hawley, chair of
the judging panel, took to the stage, describing
the awards as “inspirational, exciting and
humbling” and a wonderful tribute to
Wiltshire Sports Person of the Year
When motor racing and
lacrosse take centre stage
WITH MANY nominations for young people in
this category, competition was hot. As sponsor
Lyndon Jones of Total Foot Health from Salisbury
took to the stage, tension grew for the youngsters.
First prize went to Dan Wells, 20, who is making
headway in the expensive sport of motor racing
(Formula Ford 1600), funding himself with a job at
Waitrose but still supporting various charities.
In second place was iona Dryden, a pupil at
Godolphin, who is an outstanding lacrosse player,
while Sophie Merritt, 13, also from Godolphin,
picked up third, for her all round sporting ability.
Wiltshire Carer/Community Hero of the Year
Anne-Marie Perry of sponsor Abicare with first
prize winner Caroline Smith
Celebrating the unsung heroes
Anne-MArie Perry of sponsor Abicare presented the awards
saying: “We are pleased to sponsor these awards again; we have met
some amazing people.” First prize winner Caroline Smith, who is activities
coordinator at Buckland Court, said she was “shocked and overwhelmed”
but said without the team she would not be there collecting the award.
Second prize went to James Lewis, who cares for two men, encouraging
one to give up behavioural medication, while third went to PC Graham
Colwill for his community work in Bulford.
Wiltshire and to Wiltshire Life. Introducing
host Sue Davies, of BBC Wiltshire, she said it
spoke volumes that this was the third year Sue
had presented the awards.
With characteristic humour Sue presented
a little soundbite of her radio Afternoon Show.
She told how in a recent interview she had
tried to convince former poet laureate Sir
Andrew Motion that There was a young man
from Devizes was the greatest piece of literature
ever written. She also tried a few cryptic
Wiltshire place name clues on the audience
and had prizes for the winners. And then it
was on with the awards ceremony.
Anne-Marie Perry of sponsor
Abicare with James Lewis
Sponsor Lyndon Jones of Total Foot Health with
winner Dan Wells, a racing driver
Anne-Marie Perry of Abicare with
PC Graham Colwill
Guests were in for a fun
evening with Sue Davies
Wiltshire Visual Artist(s) of the Year
Painting the awards red
THERE WERE many entries in this new category, and competition
was tough. eamonn Wilmott of Horses First Racing presented first
prize to Fred Baier, from Pewsey, 2011 artist in residence at the House
of Lords. He said he had not wanted to move out of London, but now
thought the countryside was a lovely place. Second prize was won by Sean
Henry, whose figurative exhibition at Salisbury Cathedral caused a stir,
while third was won by designer of exquisite furniture, Matthew Burt.
Eamonn Wilmott of sponsor Horses First
Racing with winner Fred Baier
Editor-in-chief Mark Allen
spoke of excellence
Sponsor Lyndon
Jones of Total
Foot Health
with second
prize winner
Iona Dryden, a
lacrosse player
Sponsor Lyndon
Jones of Total
Foot Health
with third
prize winner
Sophie Merritt,
an all round
sportswoman
Eamonn Wilmott with Sean Henry
Eamonn Wilmott with Matthew Burt
WILTSHIRE LIFE May 2012

Wiltshire Performing Artist(s) of the Year
Publisher of Wiltshire Life Jon Benson presents first
prize to Mike Daniels, of Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra
Iain Burgess of sponsor Stanton House presents
first prize to Paul Sykes of Paul’s Poultry and Game
Pies, desserts and meats
In the limelight
Wiltshire Independent Food/Drink Producer of the Year
PUBLISHER OF Wiltshire Life
Jon Benson presented first prize to
Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, with
Mike Daniels saying a ‘thank you’ to
everyone who had booked the band,
including Marlborough Jazz Festival.
Second prize was won by the Wharf
Theatre in Devizes, for their outstanding
dramas. It was accepted by Merrily
Powell, one of the driving forces behind
the theatre. Third prize was won by
Godolphin Vocal Ensemble, who are
used to winning awards, having been
named Barnardo’s Choir of the Year.
IT RAISED a chuckle in the room when Paul Sykes of Paul’s
Poultry and Game, a business started in 2011, said: “Thank you
Mum.” He went on to thank “Amanda and Mike”, adding “I couldn’t
have done it without you.” His business is now flourishing. Sponsor
iain Burgess of Stanton House presented second prize to Colin and
Maggi Grossi of The Dessert Shop in Salisbury for their Parisian-style
pastries, with Stephen Cook of Walter Rose butchers picking up third
for their consistently high quality meats.
Wiltshire Restaurant/Pub of the Year
Derri Southwood of sponsor Twenty One B with Tara and
Danny Adams of the White Horse Inn, Compton Bassett
Iain Burgess with Maggi and
Colin Grossi (Dessert Shop)
Iain Burgess with Stephen
Cook of Walter Rose butchers
Derri Southwood with Catherine and
Giles Dickinson of The Boot Inn
Jon Benson with Merrily Powell
of the Wharf Theatre in Devizes
Wiltshire Community Group of the Year
It’s all about teamwork
John Colley, of IAF Capital, presents first prize
to Wiltshire Link Scheme
WILTSHIRE LIFE AWARDS
Jon Benson with Olivia Sparkhall
of Godolphin Vocal Ensemble
“ DON’T kNOW how they choose between the nominees,” said
I John Colley, partner at IAF Capital, as he opened the envelope with
the winners. Wiltshire Link Scheme won first, a tribute to its 45 link
schemes in Wiltshire which offer support to people trying to maintain
an independent life. Second was the famed Bemerton Heath Street
Watch, while third was the essential group Carer Support Wiltshire.
Derri Southwood with Melissa
Picard of Lucknam Park
John Colley with Maureen White of
Bemerton Heath Street Watch
John Colley presents third prize to
Carer Support Wiltshire
Derri Southwood with Simon
Greenwood of Howard’s House
An award for tickling the tastebuds
ACCEPTING FIRST prize from sponsor Derri Southwood of Twenty One B, were Tara
and Danny Adams of the White Horse. Tara said: “I’m never normally lacking words,
but I’m speechless,” adding “We have to thank the team because without them we’re nothing.”
Joint second went to Catherine and Giles Dickinson of The Boot Inn and Michelin-starred
Lucknam Park, while Simon Greenwood picked up third for Howard’s House.
May 2012 WILTSHIRE LIFE 51

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WILTSHIRE LIFE AWARDS
Environmental Excellence in Business
Tim and Naomi Reynolds of Allington Farm Shop with
Tim Donson of first prize winners Eco Print
Get ahead in business: Go green and embrace sustainability
TiM AnD naomi reynolds of sponsor Allington Farm Shop, based near Chippenham, presented joint first prize to Tim Donson of Eco Print,
whose whole ethos is environmentally friendly. Tim said it reminded him of his wedding day: “I’m confused and my wife’s looking nervous.” He also
thanked loyal clients and staff. Joint first was also picked up by Swindon Town FC and Hills Waste Solutions, while third went to keystone Brewery.
Wiltshire Business of the Year
A heady combination
riCHArD GriFFiTHS of sponsor Richard
Griffiths & Co solicitors told the audience he
should declare his relationship with the nominees: “I
was a founding director of Spire FM, I’m fond of Box
Steam Brewery and my Abel & Cole box is made by
GWP Group.”
That aside, he then presented first prize to GWP
Group and David Pedley who said: “As we were
shortlisted against a brewery, I didn’t expect to be
standing here. If the strength of the economy is
determined by manufacturing, the fact that I’m
standing here is testament to Wiltshire business.”
Second prize went to Spire FM and was collected
by morning show presenter Martin Starke and news
editor Henrietta Creasey.
Third prize was picked up by Kevin newbould
of Box Steam Brewery, in Holt, which has moved to
larger premises due to increased demand.
David Wicks of sponsor Warminster School with first prize
winner Laura Halford, gymnast
Tim and Naomi Reynolds of Allington Farm Shop with Mark Isaacs of
Swindon Town FC and Mike Hill of Hills Waste Solutions
Richard Griffiths of sponsor Richard Griffiths & Co solicitors
with David Pedley of GWP Group
Wiltshire Young Achiever of the Year and Wiltshire Young Adventurer of the Year
David Wicks with Joanna Peskett,
chanteuse, schoolgirl and volunteer
David Wicks with painter and
decorator Philip Robnett
Tim and Naomi Reynolds of Allington Farm
Shop with Alasdair Large, Keystone Brewery
Richard Griffiths with Henrietta Creasey and
Martin Starke from Spire FM
Richard Griffiths with Kevin Newbould of
Box Steam Brewery, based in Holt
David Wicks with David Hempleman-
Adams (on behalf of his daughter)
In celebration of youthful achievements
DAviD HeMPLeMAn-ADAMS accepted the Young Adventurer Award on behalf of his
daughter Amelia, the youngest person to ski to the South Pole, who could not attend. He
said: “Thank you from Amelia and thank you from a proud father.” David Wicks of sponsor
Warminster School presented singer Joanna Peskett, who has a fine jazz voice, with second prize.
Third prize went to Philip robnett, who showed great determination while at Wiltshire College.
WILTSHIRE LIFE May 2012

Wiltshire Armed Forces Hero of the Year
Peter Spencer, recently retired from army procurement, with first
prize winner Warrant Officer Alan Stubberfield
Wiltshire Lifetime Achievement Award
A lifetime of success for three champions
NOT ONLY does former lord lieutenant John Bush, who lives in Westbury, win
Lifetime Achievement Award, he also wins the award for most modest man in the
room. Accepting his award from sponsor Keith Acreman of Acreman gentleman’s shoe
shop, he thanked his family, said he had had a lucky life and added: “It is a lucky thing that
the pin landed on my name.”
Second prize was awarded to Harry Scott, who volunteers as coach at Walcot Amateur
Boxing Club and has done so for 40 years, instilling discipline and values into the young
men. Third prize went to the incredible Dot Whitehead, 81, who set up the Wiltshire Air
Ambulance shop in Westbury, having raised about £1.6 million for the charity.
Keith Acreman of sponsor Acreman and Dot
Whitehead, fundraiser for Wiltshire Air Ambulance
BBC Wiltshire’s Sue Davies accepts a cheque for
charity from editor Claire Waring as thanks
WILTSHIRE LIFE AWARDS
Recognising the proud men in uniform
PeTer SPenCer, recently retired from army procurement, presented first prize
to Warrant Officer Alan Stubberfield, who set about rebuilding a creche when he
was posted to Cyprus, raising money for the materials himself. Now based in Tidworth
Garrison, he volunteers as a driver for MENCAP and raises funds for charity. Accepting
the award he said: “Thanks for a fantastic evening. For me it’s all about the kids. I would
also like to say others deserve to be standing here tonight.” Second prize went to Corporal
Matthew Worthington and the Joint Helicopter Force, involved in medical evacuation
work. They organised a half-marathon in Afghanistan to raise funds for Wiltshire Air
Ambulance. Third was won by Staff Sergeant Bruce Scott, district scout commissioner.
Peter Spencer with Corporal Matthew Worthington
of the Joint Helicopter Force
Keith Acreman of gentlemen’s shoe shop Acreman
with Harry Scott, a boxing coach from Swindon
Lady Ruth Hawley accepts a bouquet of flowers as
thanks for her role as chair of the judging panel
Peter Spencer with Staff Sergeant Bruce Scott,
district scout commissioner for 500 scouts
Keith Acreman of gentlemen’s shoe shop Acreman with former
lord lieutenant John Bush, of Westbury
And last, but not least...
HOST SUE Davies made the evening great fun and
her consummate presenting skills meant everything
ran smoothly. Wiltshire Life editor Claire Waring
thanked her, presenting her with a cheque for Wiltshire
Air Ambulance instead of flowers (as requested by Sue),
and then thanked chair of the judging panel Lady Ruth
Hawley for being both diplomatic and wise. It certainly
was a sparkling night to remember.
May 2012 WILTSHIRE LIFE 53