THE nominations for this year s Pride of Comet Country awards have been arriving on The Comet doormat. The entries illustrate the good work carried out by people in Stevenage, North Herts and Mid Beds and there s still time to get your nominations in. The

THE nominations for this year's Pride of Comet Country awards have been arriving on The Comet doormat.

The entries illustrate the good work carried out by people in Stevenage, North Herts and Mid Beds and there's still time to get your nominations in.

These unique awards provide the perfect opportunity to recognise an organisation's outstanding work or a person that makes a real difference.

Here's a couple of entries we've received so far:

* Great and Green Lonsdale School, Stevenage

This Stevenage school has been nominated for all it has done to improve the environment. It is proud to be an Eco school.

Teacher Claudia Thiele said: "Being an Eco school is a whole school project at Lonsdale, which involves all pupils in all key stages, teachers, nurses, support staff, governors and parents.

"The children love getting involved and it is great to see everyone working together for the good of the school."

The school has an Eco committee, called Green Beans, which meets regularly to come up with ideas about how to improve the school environment.

Just two years after becoming an Eco school it has started recycling, created its own compost, established links with Stevenage Borough Council, planted trees and shrubs in its grounds and it makes sure water and energy are not wasted at the school. They also hope to purchase a wind turbine to produce their own energy.

* This year, Hitchin's British Schools Museum celebrated its 10th anniversary, and Yvonne has been a member of the team throughout this time.

Following her retirement as headteacher from Hexton School, she was asked to undertake the job of setting up the museum - for one year only.

Ten years later Yvonne is still doing an amazing job.

Terry Ransome is another volunteer at the museum. He said: "Yvonne deserves recognition, she certainly makes a difference to the 10,000 or so visitors who go to the British Schools Museum each year.

"They learn and enjoy, all as a result of the 10 years that Yvonne has given to the museum.

"It's been a challenge all the way, and something that wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for Yvonne's hard work and dedication.

"There was no money, and it is still a challenge to find it, to restore the historic buildings, as well as run it as a museum.

"But, led by Yvonne, the volunteers certainly 'did it'!"

The Categories

Carer of the Year

Do you know someone who has given up their time to look after someone else? Do they consistently put other people's needs before their own? If so now is your chance to nominate them so they can be recognised for what they do.

Teacher of the Year

Now is your chance to nominate an inspirational teacher. Do you know a teacher who goes that extra mile to support his/her pupils? This needs to be someone who makes a real difference to the lives of their students.

Parent in a Million

We want to hear about parents who have made huge sacrifices to help their child/children. Have your parents done something for you which you think they should be recognised for? If so here is your chance to say thank you in front of the whole community.

Young Achiever

We want to hear about heroic young people who do inspirational things. Do you know of someone under 18 who has shown amazing bravery, suffered with a serious illness or excelled in some other way? If you know a young person who has overcome problems to triumph let us know.

Valiant Volunteer

Without volunteers giving up their time our community would be much poorer. We want to recognise all the good work going on in Comet country. You can help us by telling us of a volunteer who regularly makes a difference to your area.

Great and Green

This category is for individuals, schools, clubs or businesses that are doing their bit for the environment. We want to know of people or organisations who really care about the world around them. Whether it is maintaining local areas or coming up with new ways of looking after our community we want to hear about it.

Charity Champions

This is open to individuals, charities, businesses and organisations that are committed to raising money for good causes. Have you or your group come up with original fundraising ideas? Has your group or business made a real difference to national or local charities?