Westmeath celebrates wins at 2016 Pride of place awards

At the annual Pride of Place Awards Ceremony on Saturday (26 November), two groups from Westmeath were presented with the top awards in the competition.

Moate Action Group took top place in category four, which is for neighbourhoods with a population of between 2,000 and 5,000 people. Rosemont Development Association took runner-up position in category one, which is for areas with populations of less than 300.

Remarking on Moate Action Group, the judges said their visit commenced with a carnival atmosphere and was supported by a wide array of community groups, and council officials demonstrating the close working relationship with the county council and other agencies of state.

The local amenities were showcased to the judges – a commodious theatre, art gallery, coffee shops, enterprise units, community sports centre, re-furbished library and Carmelite college. Care for the natural environment was equally impressive manifest in an extensive amenity park with a wild life area and Heritage Park.

The winners of the Pride of Place awards, known by many as the ‘Community Oscars’, were announced at the gala event in Belfast Waterfront Hall in front of an audience of approximately 1,000. Many more people tuned in online to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony.

Now in its 14th year, the all-island Pride of Place Awards celebrates the best in community development and recognises the efforts of people in making their neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise. This year, a broad spectrum of groups were nominated, ranging from small rural communities to inner city housing estates.

The Pride of Place Awards are divided into three awards sections – the main, the cities and the special awards and during the evening a total of 53 awards were announced by TV personality Claire McCollum. The awards ceremony was hosted by Belfast City Council, and the Belfast School of Music, Streetwise Community Circus, Belfast Community Gospel Choir and The James Peak Experience provided the entertainment.

The winners were presented with their awards by Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston, Cllr Matt Garrett, chairperson of Belfast City Council’s People and Communities Committee, Dr Christopher Moran, chairman Co-operation Ireland, Tom Dowling chairman of the Pride of Place Committee, and George Jones, chairman of IPB, event sponsors.

Cllr Kingston said: “We were honoured to host this prestigious ceremony and to welcome friends and colleagues from across the island of Ireland to Belfast to celebrate the important work being done, much of it by dedicated volunteers, to improve quality of life in our cities, towns and villages and to create vibrant, supportive communities.

"I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the Pride of Place winners and nominees – you’re truly inspirational people and set a great example for others to follow.”

Mr Dowling, founder of the event and chair of the Pride of Place Committee, congratulated all the groups: “Each year the competition continues to grow with communities nominated by local authorities all over Ireland, demonstrating their pride in their places to our judges.”

Mr Jones, chairman of IPB, said: “As a mutual insurer we share in the ethos of collaboration - which embodies the spirit of Pride of Place. Everyone nominated tonight is clear proof of the power of the collective and what can be done when people work together to achieve a common goal. It is humbling to be in the company of so many people who give their time to make their communities better places, places which you can be proud to call your homes.”

Peter Sheridan, Chief Executive Co-operation Ireland, said: “The Pride of Place Competition was set up 14 years ago to recognise for the outstanding contribution people make to society. It gives local authorities a platform to acknowledge the work local groups in there are doing and each year practically every local authority on the island nominates groups who they se as doing exceptional work in their area.

“For Co-operation Ireland, this competition is an opportunity to bring people together and share ideas and best practice. Tonight we see at first hand how people can make a real positive change to society.
I congratulate all the winners but also the winners. everyone nominated but especially all the winners.

“Co-operation Ireland would not be able to run such a substantial competition without the support of our sponsors IPB, our judging panel, the Pride of Place Committee and everyone who works to make it a success. I would like Belfast City Council for hosting this wonderful awards ceremony and giving us the opportunity to celebrate each other’s achievements.”

Junior Minister, Megan Fearon said: “It’s an honour to attend tonight’s Pride of Place Awards and recognise the great work community groups and volunteers are doing in their areas to make them better places to live, work and socialise. At the heart of these awards, is local people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good in their neighbourhood, whether it be a town, village or city.

“Working together is key and tonight has recognised very deserving winners but also highlighted the wonderful work of many more community groups and individuals across Ireland who are all playing a very important part in improving their communities.

“Collaborative working resonates with our aims for the Executive’s Programme for Government. We will work together with organisations and individuals in the true spirit of partnership to make real, meaningful societal changes for the better.

“This event shows what brilliant results can be achieved with hard work, imagination and by working together, and I very much hope it inspires others to get involved in their own areas to help make a positive difference.”