Expectation is building towards the big night – our first Community and Environment Awards on September 25 – but what has already become clear is that when it comes to charity, volunteering and looking after the planet, Calderdale is a pretty special place to be.
The sheer volume of entrants for the Courier's inaugural awards proves that.
The awards were launched in June in partnership with the Community Foundation for Calderdale and sponsored by Halifax Bank of Scotland. And the reponse has been superb.
Charities, volunteers, ethical businesses and eco-friendly schools all vied for a place on the shortlist of ten different awards including Charity of the Year, Green Champion and Best Recycling Initiative.
Courier editor John Furbisher said: "To say this is our first year we have been delighted with the response - and we'll be looking to build on this for 2009."
He added the quality of the nominations, which have come from all walks of life and from across the district, made the initial judging process more difficult than anyone could have imagined.
The judges who had that difficult job were specially picked for their expertise in different areas.
Joining Mr Furbisher on the panel was Nick Johnston of the Community Foundation For Calderdale, the independent grant-distributing charity now in its 18th year which aims to improve quality of life for people in Calderdale.
There was also Pam Warhurst, former leader of Calderdale Council and an independent environment advisor from Todmorden, plus Roger Wilson, of HBOS. HBOS is the biggest private employer in Calderdale and through its charitable foundation, which Mr Wilson runs, pumps thousands of pounds each year back into the local community.
Making up the quintet was Soo Nevison of Voluntary Action Calderdale, the umbrella group providing assistance, support and services to voluntary and community groups across the district.
A shortlist of three nominations was decided for each category. Those shortlisted will be invited to a gala presentation evening at Berties Banqueting Suite, Elland, on September 25, where the Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire Ingrid Roscoe will be guest of honour and compere for the evening will be Calderdale's very own hearthrob actor Paul Opacic.
Only then will the winners be announced.
Comment: Page 12
Follow the links below to view the nomination shortlists for each category.Environment Awards categoriesCommunity Awards categories The full article contains 429 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
