Pride of Herefordshire Celebrated

(Picture: L-R Juliet from Lowe Farm, Heidi Chamberlain-Jones, Wendy Tolley & Trevor Swindells from Hereford in Bloom)

Last night saw the annual Pride of Herefordshire Awards sponsored by Sunshine Radio & Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors take place. The event recognises the hard work, sacrifices and achievements made by those working and living in Herefordshire.

One of the College’s Short Course Tutors, Heidi Chamberlain-Jones, had been short-listed for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and so I was delighted to attend and offer support. It was a privilege to spend the evening with some very inspiring people all very deserving of their nominations and awards.

The categories included; Apprentice of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Parent/Guardian in a Million, Employee of the Year, Outstanding Teacher/Teaching Assistant, Volunteer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year and Carer of the Year and everyone had their story to tell and were celebrated and applauded.

Categories were sponsored by local businesses and organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses who are fantastic supporters of education in Herefordshire, recognising the wealth of talent and creativity in young people across the county. The Federation offers a small annual Enterprise Scholarship each year and students studying at Hereford College of Arts are eligible to apply, so catching up with them is always a pleasure! This year their national Policy Director, Mike Cherry, a woodworking engineer by trade, attended to present their category award (Entrepreneur of the Year naturally), accompanied by local Chairman, Richard Ashgar-Sandys.

(Picture: L-R, Mike Cherry & Richard Ashgar-Sandys)

The evening proved a great success for Heidi as she won her category and as one of the College’s dedicated team of Short Course Tutors, I was delighted. Heidi delivers our Marketing Small Businesses and Developing your Business Contacts workshops as part of the Short Course Programme, also finding time away from her businesses Minx Media & Training and new local tourism venture Eat,Sleep,Live Herefordshire to provide an annual Tips for Networking Seminar to final year degree students.

Congratulations Heidi and indeed to all the nominees and winners, particularly Beth’s Wish who won overall award winner!

Wendy Tolley, HCA Business