Judges panel for Champions Awards announced

From the Herald:

With less than a week before nominations close, the panel of judges for the Sustainable Sidmouth Champions Awards has just been announced.

“We wanted to involve key representatives of the community in the project,” says Vision Group for Sidmouth chair Peter Murphy, “And so the VGS got in touch with those we felt shared an interest in local issues and who have contributed over the years to the vitality of the Sid Valley.”

“We thought they would be ideal members of the judging panel,” continues Peter, “As they have to consider all the nominations for the Champions Awards and, ultimately, to decide who should receive the final prizes.”

The judges panel are made up of Prof Brian Golding, Cllr Chris Lockyear and Chris Woodruff.

Brian Golding is still professionally involved in work with the Met Office; is a warden at the Parish Church; authored the original VGS Report in 2005; and is chair of the SVA’s History Group.

Chris Lockyear has a background in the energy industry; is the vice-chair of the Town Council and of its Environment Cttee; is a governor of Sidmouth College; and is the chair of the programme cttee of the Science Festival.

The third member of the panel Chris Woodruff has considerable experience in countryside management and rural development; is partnership manager of the East Devon AONB; and is active on social media promoting green and sustainability projects.

VGS chair Peter said he was really pleased to have such a distinguished line-up: “We are very excited to have gathered such a solid panel and look forward to working with them.”

Brian said he was “honoured to accept” the invitation to be part of the panel and Chris Woodruff enthused that he was more than “happy to support” the project.

And Chris Lockyear responded: “I would be delighted to be part of the judging panel. This is a real opportunity to acknowledge those in the community who work hard, often without recognition, in a way that has supported Sidmouth over the past difficult 18 months.”

Looking to the next weeks, Peter reiterated, “We hope to make this a real celebration of community life, of individual efforts against the odds, of business resilience, and of clever ways to be green in difficult times.”

Nominations for the Champions Awards close on 30th September.

To nominate anyone for an Award in any of the three categories there’s an online form at https://sidmouth-champions.vgsidmouth.co.uk/how-to-nominate

Once all the nominations are in, the judges will sift through them and come to the difficult decision as to who should win an Award.

And on Friday 22nd October, a ceremony to congratulate and celebrate the winners will be held at Kennaway House.

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