The best of West Berkshire recognised at Community Awards

The awards, which are designed to honour individuals and organisations from across the district who have made a difference to the lives of others in their communities, were handed out during a West Berkshire Council meeting last Thursday (Dec 11).
In addition to the existing Junior Citizen Award, this year three new awards were created - Community Group of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year the Junior Citizen Award was renamed ‘The Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year Award’ in honour of Pat Eastop MBE (pictured right), who passed away in September 2014.
The award was won by 17-year-old Lauren Boys from Thatcham, who was praised for her work helping Berkshire Youth with delivering sports and health sessions across the county in schools and youth clubs.
Mrs Eastop’s son Tim and her son-in-law Robert Lee also attended the awards.
Mr Eastop said: “I speak on behalf of my whole family when I say I am really delighted that the council have decided to rename the Junior Citizen Award in honour of my late mother. She would have been so proud."
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Carolyn Evans, who has dedicated 35 years of her life to scouting within the West Berkshire community.
The Community Group of the Year Award went to homeless charity Loose Ends, who were recognised for the help provided to homeless and rootless people over the past 25 years.
There were joint winners of the Volunteer of the Year Award -the chairwoman of Newbury and Thatcham Neighbourhood Watch, Angela Money, and Upper Bucklebury resident Jonathan Poole.
For pictures and interviews with the winners, see next week's Newbury Weekly News.