Month: November 2014

The team from Workshop Media, whilst busy this week filming the interview videos with all of the Love Barrow Awards finalists are out on location today. Normally they complete all of the interview videos in November and the location shooting is left until after the Christmas break, but that poses a problem this year with one particular finalist – Irene Canon.

Why does Irene’s location filming need to be pulled forward? Is she off to sunnier climes in January? Does she have other pressing engagements? Nope, none of these – Irene has been nominated for her work in caring for hedgehogs and with the weather now taking that seasonal cold turn, the cute little creatures are getting ready to hibernate!

There are actually only three native British mammals that hibernate – the hedgehog, the bat and the dormouse. All other animals including squirrels, moles and others seem to be able to eke an existence out of the meagre pickings of winter. Even snakes and lizards do not hibernate in the true sense of the word – they just become inactive while hidden in a deep frost-free hiding place.

So to get some footage of the animals that Irene spends so much of her time caring for, the Workshop team have had to juggle the schedule to plan today’s location shoot in before they nod off for winter!

Once the team have finished, it’s back into the warmth of the studio to resume interview filming, with today’s line-up involving Junior Citizen Scheme, Tim Millar and Team from The Grove vets, Cumbria Police and Dexter the police dog, Amy Healey, Vicky Bell, Walney 1^st Responders.

The day has arrived – the team of judges will be locked in a room at #LBA HQ until pink fluffy Love Barrow smoke comes from the chimney!

But who are these mysterious judges? Mysterious no more – as we can reveal all about them right here!

 

Phil Rodgers – Programme Controller – The Bay Radio

“My role is to look after the programming team at The Bay broadcasting across the Furness Peninsula, South Cumbria and North Lancashire.  The Bay has been a main partner for the Love Barrow Awards for many years and we enjoy broadcasting live from the event each year recognising the amazing local heroes in the community.  From competitions and promotions, to larger scale events such as the Christmas Lights switch ons and community festivals across the area I love to get the station involved in the area we serve. Also I must be honest with you…I’m not The Phantom Of The Bay”

Clare Fitzgerald – Deputy Advertising Director at Furness Newspapers

“I have been in my role for the past two and a half years. As an organisation we are proud to be involved in the Love Barrow awards each year. It never ceases to amaze me how many truly inspirational people, doing incredible things, are part of our community. As an individual I am honoured to have been involved in the steering group over the past two years and look forward to the celebrating the tenth year of the awards in 2015.”

Martin Lewis – Corporate Fundraiser – St Mary’s Hospice

 “I work within St Mary’s catchment area of Furness and the South Lakes developing relationships and establishing working partnerships with businesses who are looking to support the work that the team at St Mary’s Hospice undertake on a day to day basis. The role is a very varied one, but is hugely enjoyable, and I am proud and privileged to be able to contribute in my own way to the work that the superb medical team at St Mary’s Hospice undertake both at the Hospice and out and about within our community.”

Tony Callister – Firefighter with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and aBarrow Borough Councillor

 “I am very passionate about Barrow serving as a firefighter and district councillor and supporting local football representing the Football Association. Barrow has served myself and my family well giving many opportunities to succeed and lead a good life in a beautiful part of our peninsula.”

Milly Pyne B.E.M. – School Student; Voluntary Worker

“I’m 16 years old and currently in year 11. I’ve been involved with the Love Barrow Awards since receiving the Young Citizen Award in 2012. Along with my school studies, I’ve been volunteering at Oxfam in Ulverston for just over a year, which is very rewarding and enables me to meet lots of different people. I’m also a Young Ambassador for Alice’s Escapes, which sees me doing anything from paperwork in the office to helping with the changeover days in our holiday caravans. I love the outdoors and successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, while raising £12,000 for charity remains one of my all time highs! I find the judging process very difficult and could usually choose more than one winner from the incredible nominations received.”

Vicky Pyne – Charity Founder; Voluntary Worker

“My name’s Vicky (although I’m probably better known as Alice’s Mum)! My sole purpose in life, is to continue the incredible legacy that Alice left behind – both by increasing the bone marrow registers and by ensuring that every family with a seriously ill child gets an Alice’s Escapes break. When I’m not volunteering, I’m happiest on a mountain with Milly, Simon and our faithful Labs, Mabel and Lottie. I’m honoured to be involved with the Love Barrow Awards in this, their 10th year. The vast majority of nominees go about what they do, without seeking recognition and, for me, that makes the Love Barrow Awards all the more special.”

John Irving – Police Constable with Cumbria Constabulary

“I am a Police Officer currently seconded into Cumbria County Council. I have been involved with the Love Barrow Awards since its beginning, some 11 years ago. We have always had a small but very good committee  who organise these awards and I would like to thank each one of them for their support over the years. I must also thank our generous sponsors that have helped us every year. I have had the pleasure to meet our 74 winners and 201 short listed nominees during the past 10 award evenings. They are all amazing people doing so much for individuals and our community. This is what makes Furness a great place to live.”

Keiron Christian – Youth Coordinator for Drop Zone Youth Projects

“My name is Keiron Christian I’m 23 and I am the Youth Coordinator for Drop Zone Youth Projects who deliver a variety of youth provisions in Barrow, Dalton and Askam-in-Furness for young people aged 8-21.

This is my second year as a judge and am happy to have been invited back to help the judging process.

I have myself received an award from the Love Barrow awards for Young citizen of the year and am very happy to now be a part of the panel who have the difficult decision of selecting a finalist from each category to be this year’s winner.

Good luck to you all and thank you for your work, dedication and time you put into our community.”

Oh, and me, Darren McSweeney –

“Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a… oh hang on, getting mixed up there, try again…

Local campaigner, newspaper columnist, soon to be unemployed engineering manager (gizza job?), father of two cracking boys, husband of one beautiful wife, lover of everything Barrow and Furness, the place & the people, finalist in last year’s awards, blogger for this year’s awards and honoured to have been asked to judge..”

WISH US LUCK, THIS COULD BE A VERY LONG DAY!

Not many nine year old children would decide, without any prompting, to raise funds for their local Oncology Unit, but that’s exactly what Jessica Jackson did.In March 2013 when Jessica heard about possible cuts to the ocnology services at her local hospital, she decided to rasie money to help out.

A keen baker, Jessica put her culinary skills to work and under the guidance of Mum Zoe, began making cupcakes to sell and raise funds for the Oncology Unit. Jessica made cakes in a range of flavours and styles and sold them all, raising an amazing £536.60 !

Jessica loves the idea of helping others and has continued her work – she has raised money for 33rd Barrow Brownies and local couple Paul and Clare Coulston. Having only just reached her tenth birthday, Jessica’s fundrasing total now stands at £936.60, an amazing total for anyone to reach, never mind a ten year old.

The nomination form is full of lovely praise for Jessica – “She is always smiling, has a lovely personality and is extremely polite, always taking time to say hello”

“Jessica is one of the most caring, considerate girls I know, she has a beautiful sunny smile and a wonderful caring heart”

“Jessica doesn’t realise how special she is and how many people’s lives she has touched by making her little cakes”

Congratulaions Jessica, a worthy nominee for Young Citizen of the Year and….

BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!

 

Lynda selflessly gives of her time and generosity to inspire children, staff and the local community week after week after week. She visits Dalton St Mary’s CE Primary School every week to work with children on the garden and wildlife area and has been doing so on a volunteer basis for almost 2 years. She never asks for anything in return and is absolutely always positive.

She works with the gardening club children whatever the weather. She comes up with a general plan of what needs doing each week and leads the children through each task. She allows them to learn, to problem solve, to lead each other and each of them try a different skill each week.

Lynda is an outstanding member of the community. Not only does Lynda visit the school every week to work with the gardening club, she also last year gave up an afternoon a week to help with a Forest Schools activity with a class. She took groups of children into the garden and wildlife area, sharing her extensive knowledge with the children.

Some of them had never before identified a plant or nurtured a flower and having specialist knowledge available was really appreciated.

As anyone who understands gardening will appreciate, it is not a weekly job, its a daily job. Even when the children are on holiday, Lynda is working away in the gardens to keep them ticking over ready for when the children come back. The school worked towards several competitions last year and Lynda gave up her weekends and holidays to keep everything watered so the children’s hard work wouldn’t be
wasted.

Lynda is also always researching ideas, planning what will be good to plant so that the children see the fruits of their labour. She also makes sure that there are always plants to nurture and jobs to do throughout the year so that the children’s interest is kept.

Lynda is key in planning the next exciting developments of the grounds and is excited  about the next phase of the gardening club expansion!

Congratualtions Lynda on your nomination and….

BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!

Vicky is a hard working nursery manager who always ensures that she is providing the best possible childcare and education for her children. Not only does Vicky support the children in her setting she also has excellent relationships with parents/carers which enables her to provide guidance and support for the whole family.

Vicky is a full time working manager and she still feels it is necessary to work nights and weekends to ensure she is doing all she can for the children and families in her care. She is dedicated and passionate about her job which has a positive impact on children’s learning and development. All children make excellent progress within the nursery and reach their age appropriate targets. This would not be possible without Vicky’s enthusiasm and determination.

Vicky believes that no matter what every child will shine at Roose nursery.

“Vicky is a caring and friendly individual who is 100% dedicated to her job. She is an excellent role model for children,families and colleagues.”

Working very closely with Lisa Scott who is the county service manager for Action for Children has enabled her to access extra curricular activities for the children, specialist courses for parents/carers and training for her collegues.

 

18 months ago Vicky applied for funding from Cumbria county council for a new Eco lodge nursery as since opening the nursery in 2011 it has always been oversubscribed. This application was rejected but after providing statistics, petitions and evidence Cumbria county council agreed to part fund the build.

Vicky has put in lots of extra hours and sleepless nights writing for additional funding for the new build.without her commitment this again would not be possible. Vicky has been working alongside planners, department of education and Lisa Scott from action for children making sure that she is creating the best provision to meet all children and families needs. Vicky believes the new nursery will not only be beneficial for vulnerable two year olds but will also benefit various barrow community groups.

Well done Vicky on your nomination and…

BREAKING NEWS – congratualtions on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!