Pride of Stevenage 2022 winners revealed

Dignitaries, business leaders and residents gathered at the Gordon Craig Theatre for the annual ceremony.

The winners were revealed by council leader Sharon Taylor at an event hosted by the Mayor, Cllr Margaret Notley, and compered by Stevenage FC match day announcer Jay Drackford.

Prizes were handed out across eight categories - Dedication, Green, Team, Caring, Sporting, Enterprise, Young Star and the Judges’ Special award.

Austin’s Family Funeral Directors were this year’s main awards sponsor.

The winners were:

Dedication Award: Errol John, who regularly volunteers to help the people of Stevenage and members of our ethnically diverse communities. 

Errol John won the Pride of Stevenage Dedication Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Green Award: Camps Hill Primary School, an eco-friendly school with numerous green initiatives including recycling, battery and crisp packet collection points and an Eco-Council made up of students.

Camps Hill Primary School took home the Green Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Team Award: (Sponsored by Co-Space) – Diamond Silver Service, which supports autistic, disabled and challenged children and helps elderly and disabled residents in Stevenage too. Its travel service offers buses with rear lifts and accommodates wheelchairs.

The Stevenage Pride Team Award went to Diamond Silver Service (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Caring Award: (Sponsored by Fosters Legal Solicitors) – Su Harvey, who set up The Red Shed Project to help Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers.

The Red Shed founder Su Harvey picked up the Caring Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Sporting Award: Lauren Cooper, a teacher who organises sport fundraisers for charities. She ensures every student has learned how to restart a heart.

Lauren Cooper won the Sporting Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Enterprise Award: (Sponsored by biz4Biz) – Izabela Stuchlik, owner of Leavened Bakery in Stevenage Indoor Market in the town centre.

Izabela Stuchlik picked up the Enterprise Award (Image: Izabela Stuchlik)

Young Star Award (Sponsored by: Tollers Solicitors) - The cheerleaders from Camps Hill Primary School. The squad, who are aged seven to 11, enjoy raising money for charity.

Camps Hill cheerleaders took home the Young Star Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Judge’s Special Award – Paul Laidlaw who played the Panto Dame in Stevenage for 27 years, bringing joy and laughter to Stevenage residents.

Much loved Panto Dame Paul Laidlaw won the Judge's Special Award (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Cllr Sharon Taylor said: “These special awards allow us to pay tribute, once a year, to a few of our local heroes – people and organisations that enhance the lives of hundreds of people all over Stevenage every day.

“Ours is a great town and there are fantastic things going on here. Some pretty amazing people are making things happen, making things better, and making a real difference to Stevenage life.

“I’d like to thank this year’s sponsors, Austin’s Family Funeral Directors, Fosters Legal Solicitors, biz4Biz, Co-Space and Tollers. Thanks also go to Craig Maret, director of Rewind who made the Pride of Stevenage Awards 2022 films and the Gordon Craig Theatre venue team for their help to host this year’s awards event.

“I would like to also thank the judges for giving up their time to choose our winners; Paige Abrey - Stevenage Youth Mayor, Claire Austin from Austin’s Family Funeral Directors, Elaine Connolly from Irish Network, Sandra Foster from Fosters Legal Solicitor, Dan Gaze, a former Pride award winner, Ian Taylor from biz4Biz, Darren Isted from Spitfire PR and William Stokes from Co-Space.”