Customers take centre stage

28-NOV-07

Residents who have made a real difference to the quality of life in their neighbourhoods were celebrated at Bolton at Home’s first Customer Involvement Awards, on Monday 26 November, at the Festive Hall, Bolton Albert Halls.

Over 200 nominees and invited guests attended the grand awards ceremony, held to recognise and reward the achievements of Bolton at Home’s customers and their contributions to their local communities.

Award winners and runners-up were congratulated by Noel Spencer, Chair of Bolton at Home and The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Barbara Ronson. Eleven awards were presented on the night:

Most outstanding contribution to customer involvement

Eunice Rowley, from Farnworth

Innovative project of the year

Robert Hughes, from Horwich

Good neighbour of the year

Mona Bertwistle, from Chorley Old Road

Creative project of the year

The Wellfield Project, Deane

Inspiring the youth of Bolton

The Wellfield Project, Deane

Community group of the year

New Bury Residents Association and Hulton Lane Social Club (joint winners)

Environmental project of the year

Brazley Residents Association and Claypool Residents Association

Best garden

Wayne Crossley, from Hall i’th’ Wood

Most improved garden

Jean and Brian Lynch, from Chorley Old Road

Plants in pots

Marjorie Cooper, from Horwich

Communal garden

Oak Avenue, Action Group, Horwich

Noel Spencer paid tribute to all the winners and runners-up, saying: “We are delighted to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication, successes and achievements of customers who have made a marvellous contribution to their communities.”

Highlights of the night included Eunice Rowley, from Farnworth, receiving the award for most outstanding contribution to customer involvement. As a champion for customer involvement at local, regional and national level, Mrs Rowley works hard to improve the standard of local services as a member of BATRA (Bolton Affiliation of Tenants and Residents Association), and represents Bolton at Home’s customers on a national stage, as a speaker at housing conferences. On being presented with her award, Mrs Rowley said: “I am very proud to win this award and it will take pride of place in my home.”

Most innovative project was awarded to Robert Hughes, from Horwich, recognising his efforts to increase training opportunities for local young people interested in future employment in the construction industry. Mr Hughes introduced partnership working between Herbert T Forrest building contractors and Rivington and Blackrod High School to provide vocational building courses for pupils aged between 14 and 16. Mr Hughes said: “I am delighted and honoured to win such a prestigious award.”

Good neighbour of the year was awarded to Mona Bertwistle, from Chorley Old Road. Mrs Bertwistle was nominated by neighbours for her untiring efforts to make their lives easier, by helping others with their shopping, post, gardening and rubbish bins. Mrs Bertwistle said: “I am absolutely over the moon. I get on really well with my neighbours, I love what I do and my kids are really proud of me.”

The Wellfield Project, from Deane, was a double-award winner, ensuring community groups were also well represented at the ceremony. The group, made up of young people aged 13 to 18, has brought communities closer together by organising fun days and sports teams. The youngsters involved have also made a film-dvd to be shown in schools, which will be used to tackle the problems associated with teenage pregnancies. These impressive efforts were rewarded by Bolton at Home, with the Wellfield Project scooping the awards for both creative project of the year and inspiring the youth of Bolton.