The winners and runners up of this year’s Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards have been revealed! On Friday 15th March at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the shortlisted nominees came together for a fantastic ceremony and black tie dinner, including performances from Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums, Uplands Primary School & Nursery Choir, the cast of South Hill Park’s production of High School Musical poet Clare Bevan and the Barberettes.
Discover more about our winners and runners up for 2019:
The John Nike Pride of Bracknell Forest – Young Person’s Award
Winners: Josh Zeller & Matt Buckner
Josh is an integral part of Bracknell Athletics Club, competing in both the 110m and 60m hurdles, as well as coaching younger athletes in his spare time. He finished his 2018 season as number 2 in
Great Britain for 110m hurdles, and is currently ranked number 1 for 60m Hurdles. Josh was a Runner Up at last year’s Awards in the same category.
Matthew was a key member of the Bracknell Athletics Club Southern League Team in 2018, winning every event he competed in. He came third in the England Under 20 200m Championships, is ranked 11th in the 200m for his age group, and 4th by school year. Matt was selected for the GB junior team for the Manchester International, being placed third in the 100m and is third in the UK Under 20 all-time list for 150m.
Runners Up: Jack and Connie Saville
Jack and Connie are inspirational siblings from Little Sandhurst. Since their father suffered a massive intracerebral hemorrhage in 2017, the pair have acted as a great support, even receiving a
commendation from their headteacher. Their father says that they have been incredibly supportive and protective of him since the stroke, whilst continuing to do brilliantly at school.
The John Nike Pride of Bracknell Forest – Adult Award
Winner: Val Callan
Val is a coordinator at Home-Start Bracknell Forest. Val’s nominators explain how she has offered invaluable support, offering kindness, understanding and help in times of loneliness and sadness. She has been described as an exceptional credit to the Bracknell community.
Runner Up: John Casserly
John Casserly has been his wife’s full time carer for almost 9 years. His wife Carolyn has nominated him for an Award as he does everything for her and unsung hero in the area, and is being recognised for his daily commitment and compassion.
School of the Year
Winner: The Brakenhale School
Since the school appointed new headteacher Jane Coley in 2015, it has changed beyond recognition. Backed by an excellent leadership team and good set of disciplines for students, there is a positive attitude throughout the school, with staff that go above and beyond to help the students reach their true potential.
Runner Up: Ranelagh School
Ranelagh School is known for its strict discipline and high standards. This year the Ranelagh School Team won the National Mock Trials competition and two students won the Secondary School
section of the Bracknell Town Council WW1 art and poetry competitions, as well as boasting great academic results.
Teacher of the Year
Winner: Julie Keane
Julie has been a teacher at Birch Hill Primary School for over 40 years, having taught over 1,200 children in her time at the school. Receiving over 40 nominations, Julie has been described as an inspiring, caring, committed, hard-working teacher, and a credit to her area and profession, acting as a role model to new teachers.
Runner Up: Alison Wyld
Alison is the Headteacher at Harmans Water Primary School, having made big improvements to the school. She has turned it around, creating an inspiring and nurturing environment to install a positive and inspiring attitude among pupils. Alison has been described as dedicated, outstanding, enthusiastic and as a revelation for the school.
Business of the Year
Winner: Allegis Group
Allegis Group make a big difference in the Bracknell Forest Area. This includes volunteering work with the Berkshire Women’s Aid charity, donating IS equipment to Home-Start and a projector to the Stroke Association, as well as a wealth of volunteering work.
Runner Up: Tektronix
Tektronix partnered up with Berkshire Women’s Aid to sort out a refuge, as well as additional fundraising for the children staying there, donating gifts to them. Tektronix have also given the children clothing and toiletries, and still continue to collect these regularly.
Sport & Leisure – Young Person’s Award
Winner: Tristan Singelee
Tristan is a 10 year old gymnastics tumbler at Pinewood Gymnastics Club Bracknell. He won the title of British champion 2 years running and was selected for the national squad to represent Great
Britain at his first international competition in Portugal in 2018, winning the title of International Champion in the Under 13 category.
Runner Up: Emma Harries
Emma is an incredible sportswoman and role model in football. She has represented England at Under 15, 16, and 17 level and is well on her journey to the Euros. She is dedicated and motivated having earned a place in the Reading first team and is an inspiration for young girls in the area who want to pursue a career in football.
Sport & Leisure – Adult Award
Winner: Zak Seddon
Zak has been a member of Bracknell Athletics Club for over 14 years, competing in the 3000m Steeplechase. A regular medallist at the British Championships, Zak has been selected to compete for Team GB on multiple occasions, placing 5th at the European Athletics Championships.
Runner Up: Steve Merry
Steve has been a kingpin of the Bracknell Bees for 25 seasons, a club which puts itself at the heart of the community. The team reaches out to local residents and businesses, and Steve is an integral
part of the work the club does, including the team’s new Schools Programme.
Charity of the Year
Winner: Youthline
Youthline has provided a free, confidential counselling service for young people in the area since 1988. They offer a safe and supportive environment with a team of counsellors, and are a registered Charity, managed by professional staff. Youthline has a large team of volunteers working with them all freely giving their time to the charity.
Runner Up: ABC to Read
ABC to Read is a charity supporting Berkshire children who are struggling to read. Since 2004, they have done great work mentoring hundreds of children in the area, as well as finding, training and supporting volunteers in primary schools across Berkshire. Their mission is to transform children’s lives by building literacy skills and self-confidence.
Volunteer of the Year
Winners: John and Yvonne Davis
John and Yvonne have been hard-working and selfless members of the Bracknell community for many years. Raising funds through charity groups, voluntary work and now voluntarily managing an
old people’s home, even though they are in their 80s themselves, the couple are an inspiration to the area.
Runner Up: Gail Mandville
Gail has worked tirelessly and passionately for the girl Guiding groups in Sandhurst for over 30 years. Her dedication to the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides has been unwavering, empowering countless young women. Her nominators praise the commitment, energy and time that she has given to the groups and her compassionate nature.
Team of the Year
Winner: Bracknell Town FC U12s
The team were promoted to the Elite Division in the JPL League after only 5 games and have an amazing winning record, coming top of the Surrey Youth League. They are complemented on how they conduct themselves both on and off the pitch and have been described as a fantastic group of boys who work together and support one another.
Runner Up: Home-Start Bracknell Forest
Having received over 20 nominations for the outstanding work they do in the area, the team at Home-Start have been named finalists for their invaluable work supporting families in the Bracknell Forest area over the past 25 years. They act as an extra pair of hands and shoulder to lean on for young families for young parents.
Special Award
In honour of Rose Dalton
This year’s Special Award is in honour of Rose Dalton, who sadly passed away last November. She was an extraordinary person, having fundraised for Cancer Research UK for 14 years, and raising just under £1.25 million to fight and beat cancer with 11 years of Relay for Life events at Ascot Racecourse. After being diagnosed with lung cancer herself, she left her hospital bed to lead the Cancer Survivors’ lap of honour in the Relay for Life, supporting the cause against all odds. Rose was awarded with global recognition by Cancer Research UK for her tireless support for the charity, being named as runner up for Global Volunteer of the Year and was nominated for a Pride of Britain Award in 2018. She was commended at the Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards in 2012 in the Adult Community Volunteer category, and the Relay For Life Committee was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2016, having been nominated by Bracknell Forest Council. Rose’s family have received hundreds of messages in support, recognising her achievements, and hope that others will take inspiration from what Rose did to do something to fight cancer.
Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, members of the local community, performers and nominees for making the 2019 ceremony so special. Photos and videos of the evening will be available soon.