Bury Free Press Community Awards reveals its winners and highly commended champions
Community heroes in Bury St Edmunds have been recognised through the Bury Free Press Community Awards at a special ceremony at the town’s Guildhall.
Run in partnership with Bury St Edmunds Town Council, the finalists for the ten awards, joined sponsors and distinguished guest, including mayor Cllr Diane Hind, for the prestigious event.
After Barry Peters, Bury Free Press editor and host, welcomed everyone to the awards the mayor spoke about her admiration for the groups and individuals nominated this year, calling them ‘the glue that holds society together.’
The night started with the Good Deed category, sponsored by Ellisons Solicitors, which saw Penny Cramer scoop the accolade and Skyla Carter being highly commended.
At just eight years old, Penny is an inspiring eco-warrior who takes it upon herself to keep her community clean by regularly litterpicking and encouraging others to join her efforts.
Her dedication to the environment and her neighbourhood at such a young age serves as a shining example for people of all ages.
Skyla was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma at just nine years old and she has now raised more than £2,700 by making and selling bracelets to buy toys, games, and supplies for the hospital ward where she received treatment.
Sponsored by Tennens Properties, the next gong was the Best Community Group award.
This went to Bury in Bloom with the highly commended trophy going to The Rotary Club of Bury St Edmunds Abbey.
Bury in Bloom organises the UK’s largest front garden award scheme, with a dedicated team of volunteers, led by Lynne Wright and Chris Wiley, judging more than 20,000 gardens in the town.
The Rotary Club of Bury St Edmunds Abbey is known for its extensive fund-raising efforts. It raised more than £60,000 between 2023 and 2024.
Bury in Bloom co-ordinator, Chris Wiley, having collected the award for the group did not get back to his seat for long before picking up another next award in the Eco Friendly category.
Co-organising the established and successful Bury St Edmunds Seed Swap, with Naomi Hamer, it won this category with Sophie Thomas being highly commended.
The seed swap offers free seeds to everyone, encouraging attendees to share spare flower, herb and vegetable seeds.
Sophie has spearheaded a successful recycling campaign at Citizens Advice West Suffolk.
She has set up separate bins for waste and recycling and actively managing and promoting proper recycling practices.
Her enthusiasm has rallied the team into environmentally-friendly habit.
Talking after the double wins, Chris said: “Both of these are a massive team effort with both Bury in Bloom and Bury St Edmunds Seed Swap and I feel over the moon that we were shortlisted, never mind win.
“We just thank everyone that nominated us, we really appreciate it, we don’t do these things for recognition, we do it for the benefit of the community but it is nice to be recognised.”
Community Food Hero, sponsored by Thomas Ridley, was the next to be revealed.
Richard Keeble was shocked to find out he had won the category.
Richard founded E PIC Dad seven years ago, providing support to fathers and families across West Suffolk through clubs, mentoring and wellbeing support.
During the pandemic, he adapted his efforts to deliver food and supplies to families in need and continues to run Wellbeing and Food stores in local primary schools.
“I did not expect to win, it was a lovely surprise” he said.
“I am just very grateful for this and I thank the Bury Free Press, the town council and those that nominated me.
“It is greatly appreciated and I will continue to serve the community as best I can, particularly fathers and families.”
Still Good Food took home the highly commended award for this category.
Still Good Food has been a lifeline during the current cost-of living crisis, offering essential support by helping to top up family food bills.
Its dedication and effort make a significant difference to those with limited budgets, providing immense relief to its users and gratitude.
The winner and the highly commended awards for the Charity of the Year, sponsored by Glasswells, were then announced.
Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw wheeled away with the prize, with Cancer Research Relay for Life - Bury St Edmunds taking the highly commended trophy.
The BSE Rickshaw is a fantastic, free service in Bury St Edmunds, run entirely by friendly and dedicated volunteers, offering invaluable support to the elderly and disabled, including visits to care homes and a wheelchair rickshaw for added mobility.
The Relay for Life is a weekend long annual festival, held in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, celebrating community fund-raising in the fight against cancer, featuring a 24-hour relay in which teams walk to honour those affected and support cancer research.
After a short interlude, giving guests a chance to get some food prepared by West Suffolk College, the next award was for Best Event by a Community Group, sponsored by Armstrongs Independent Funeral Service.
This was a switch around from earlier as The Rotary Club of Bury St Edmunds Abbey was announced as the winners and Bury in Bloom was highly commended.
The Most Helpful Neighbour Award, sponsored by the event’s main sponsor TREATT, saw Thomas Howard win, with Josh Fynn taking the highly commended accolade.
Thomas is a dedicated activist who, drawing from his own experiences with autism, has organised multiple autism-friendly and accessible community events, such as self-funded cinema screenings.
Jyotsna Fynn, known as Josh, has dedicated her life to Bury’s community through extensive volunteer work, including at the Cancer Research shop, West Suffolk Hospital and The Apex, where she now works as a paid staff member. At 80, she continues to support local charities.
For the Young Citizen of the Year category, sponsored by Eastern Education Group, it was a second win for Penny Cramer and a second highly commended for Skyla Carter.
Bennett Homes’ Citizen of the Year category followed won by Derek Smith and Thomas Howard taking his second award of the night with a highly commended.
Derek has managed Hardwick Primary School Football Club for 40 years and has been the secretary of the Bury St Edmunds Primary Schools’ Football League for 38 years, showing unwavering dedication to young footballers and coaches.
“I feel very honoured and surprised,” he said.
“I thank the people that nominated me, without their support of all the parents and the helpers I would never have been able to do this as long as I have.”
The celebratory evening was brought to a close with the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Churchgates.
In this category, Adrian Crowe was given the highly commended award with Janet Oliver chosen as the winner.
Adrian has given more than 20 years of dedication as the chairman of Moreton Hall Youth FC, tirelessly supporting 16 teams from under sevens to adult sides.
Janet has devoted 40 years to volunteering for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, playing a crucial role in supporting families and setting up and maintaining the Bury and Suffolk Branch.
To see all the pictures from this year's awards, check out this week’s Bury Free Press for our four-page special.
