Hosted by local TV celebrity Lynda Bryans, the audience at the awards was left humbled by the many stories of true community spirit by the awards winners.

Tears mingled with laughter as award winners modestly told of the work they do that makes a difference to so many people's lives.

Among the award categories were Good Neighbour, Champion, Personal Achievement, Individual Volunteer, Community/Voluntary Group, Environment, Business, Culture, Arts & Sports, and the Mayor's Outstanding Achievement award.

Sponsored by firmus energy for the third year, the company's Neill Holland, commented that it was particularly pleasing to be able to support such an event in the company's home town of Antrim.

Praising the award winners and nominees, Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Oran Keenan said the awards were the council's way of recognising those individuals, groups, businesses or organisations that have significantly improved the quality of life of the people of the borough of Antrim.

"We are always amazed by the standard and diversity of nominations we receive and this year was no exception. The assessment committee faced a real challenge in selecting the winners," Cllr. Keenan said.

He added: "But we feel that every nominee is a winner because they have all made a contribution to our borough by living, working or investing here or by excelling in their chosen profession further afield."

Adding his thanks to sponsors firmus energy, and to the Dunadry Hotel for hosting the event, Cllr. Keenan also thanked local band The Rapparees, Focus AV, and Lynda Bryans for hosting the event.

AWARD WINNERS

Mayor's Award for Outstanding Achievement - Jackie Davis: The Mayor's Award For Outstanding Achievement was presented to Parkhall man, Jackie Davis. This award is presented to someone exceptional, who has made an outstanding contribution to the borough or achieved significantly in their chosen field. This special award is not given lightly and it was noted that Jackie was thoroughly deserving of such an accolade. It was noted: "This gentleman has changed children's lives for the better. In 1978, he had the vision of developing a youth club at Parkhall School and with his leadership and influencing skills was able to bring his vision to fruition. "Over the years, he has extended the youth club and used every opportunity to reach into the local Steeple estate and beyond to change young people's lives for the better. He gives freely of his time and is always on hand with a listening ear and a kind word. "He has built strong relationships with many young people, helping them prepare to face life's inevitable challenges and has shaped and moulded thousands of young lives."

Community Excellence Award for Champion - Antonio Forte: Crumlin resident Antonio Forte picked up an award at the Antrim Community Excellence Awards. Antonio was awarded the Antrim Community Excellence Award for Champion. Judges noted that Antonio had "certainly championed the cause of the people of Crumlin over the years". Antonio has played a key role in the many of the positive developments which have taken place in the town. "His enthusiasm and commitment has been and remains to be unquestionable. He has been involved in Crumlin Together, the Community Police Liaison Committee and community Neighbourhood Watch, to name but a few," his award citation noted. It was added: "All this in his own time and while overcoming a very serious illness - he is dedicated to working with other agencies to ensure that Crumlin is a great place to live."

Community Excellence Award for Being a Good Neighbour - Malachy O'Hara: Crumlin man Malachy O'Hara picked up the award for Being a Good Neighbour. A well known figure in Crumlin, it was noted how for many year, Malachy had walked to the local shops to get groceries and collect prescriptions for his elderly neighbours. "No job is too much bother for him if it means helping his neighbours – everything from gardening to household tasks. everyone he helps thinks the world of him and will be delighted to see his kindness being recognised and rewarded," it was noted.

Community Excellence Award for Individual Volunteering (Long Service) - Paddy Wallace: For the past 34 years, Antrim woman Paddy Wallace has given of her time generously to many organisations. She was a member of the initial committee for Homestart Antrim, an organisation which has helped many families in the borough; a founding member of the Antrim fundraising group for Macmillan Cancer Support and remains a committee member; a founding member of Antrim Choral Society and still remains a member. It is perhaps her work with the Mothers' Union to which she has volunteered most of her time. Since 1975 she has been involved in encouraging members in their purpose of supporting family life. She has represented the members regionally and nationally; as all-Ireland president from 2001 to 2006 she has travelled the length and breadth of the country and put Antrim on the map.

Community Excellence Award for Individual Volunteering Contribution - Carmel Barclay: The individual Volunteering Contribution award was present to local woman Carmel Barclay in recognition of her commitment, enthusiasm and dedication in helping to make a significant difference in the local community. Carmel dedicates her time to helping families by giving up her own time each week, enthusiastically and unfailingly. She is a great listener, understands what parents are going through and forms a strong bond with each family. To many, her visits are a lifesaver and looked forward to very much. There have been several times during her service to Homestart where she has had to support more than one family and has proved capable and more than willing of doing this just to ensure a family doesn't go without help. She continually promotes the aims of Homestart and gives up evenings to assist with administration. It was noted: "The most amazing aspect of her character is her humility; she never brags, never looks for recognition and believes it is her privilege to have been allowed into the hearts of so many families."

Community Excellence Award for Community Group (Long Service) - ARCHES: ARCHES Community Group in Randalstown was awarded with the Antrim Community Excellence Award for Community Group (Long Service). Formed 14 years ago, the group's aim of improving the community in which they live has helped bring £2.5 million of public funding to the local area, bringing with it major benefits and improvements. ARCHES has undertaken major environmental improvement schemes including the illumination of the viaduct, the provision of a footpath and cycle path on the viaduct and enhancements to the riverside walk. A major part of their work has been the construction of two property schemes, both of which contain workspace units and accommodation which are rented out and provide the group with an income to help them become self sufficient. They have organised training courses to enhance qualifications and employability among adults in the area and have worked on a number of successful youth development projects. The annual ARCHES festival and Christmas lights switch-on are both event highlights in the town.

Community Excellence Award for Community Group (Contribution) - TIDAL: TIDAL community group in Toome picked up an Antrim Community Excellence award for their contribution to improving the village. A Number of local residents saw the need for change around their village and had the enthusiasm and vision to make these changes happen. They have undertaken several projects in the Toome area which have all improved the quality of life of its residents. The first, and perhaps largest, to date has been the construction of Toome House. Primarily built to provide a health centre for the area, it also created business opportunities with its retail units and serves as a community centre where social activities and classes can take place. Their lobbying helped contribute towards the building of the Toome by-pass and various environmental improvement schemes have improved the visual amenity of the area. Looking towards the future, they are in the process of purchasing an area of land to develop a marina and boat park. Judges noted: "This community group has shown commitment, enthusiasm and dedication and has made a significant contribution and difference to the lives of their community."

Community Excellence Award for Environmental Contribution - Alan Kirkpatrick: The late Alan Kirkpatrick was posthumously awarded with the Antrim Community Excellence Award for Environmental Contribution. Alan's was ceaseless in his devotion to the promotion and preservation of our local rivers and the wildlife both in the water and surrounding countryside. A director of Lough Neagh fishing tours, he 'sold' fishing in the borough to locals and tourists alike and missed no opportunity to promote Antrim as an ideal angling experience and encouraged repeat tourist trade from within the angling communities worldwide. In addition, he he was an environmentalist and a preservationist - the scourge of polluters and poachers, he was tireless in the pursuit of those who would destroy our local waterways and was proactive in the preservation and regeneration of the Six Mile Water river system. It was noted: "It is very fitting, as it approaches the first anniversary of his death, that the Environment Award be given posthumously to Alan Kirkpatrick in recognition of his services to the environment."

Community Excellence Award for Culture, Arts and Sport - Rosemary Holland: President of Antrim Art Club, Rosemary Holland, received the Antrim Community Excellence Award for Culture, Arts and Sport. Rosemary works very hard to take amateur art out to the local community. She puts a lot of time and effort into promoting art in the community, arranging demonstrations, painting days, exhibitions and fundraising. She is very conscious of the problems and needs of the club members, especially the older members, many of who are housebound. She helps them feel less isolated and lonely by organising taxis for transport to antrim art club and by using local people to provide services and instruction she also helps the local economy. It was noted: "She is a very caring and helpful person and gives of her best to everything that she does."


Community Excellence Award for Personal Achievement - Dorothy McVeigh: Antrim woman Dorothy McVeigh was rewarded for her many years of volunteering in the local community by receiving the Antrim Community Excellence Award for Personal Achievement. She has devoted many years to the community yet suffers from a chronic illness herself. The tributes paid to Dorothy include: "She was a volunteer with Victim Support when I first met her. She was so caring and comforting, listening to my fears, understanding my mixed emotions without patronising me. Her gentleness and understanding helped me to emerge from the dark hole I was existing in and helped me become interested in life once more." Not only did she devote many years to her work with Victim Support, she also worked voluntarily with Antrim Citizen's Advice Bureau for 15 years and is now with Antrim Hospital Radio. It was also noted: "She is truly an inspiration, always a cheery word, always busy but still always has the time to help someone in need. Her own pain is put to one side to help her community - nothing is too much trouble."

Community Excellence Award for Business - CMM Electrics: There Is no denying the fact that our local businesses are facing tough challenges in today's credit crunch, so the winner of this category is to be commended for its continued growth. Established in 1987, CMM Electrics Ltd has flourished into a major electrical operation, specialising in large industrial and commercial installation. Built on an ethos of punctuality and perfection it is driven to deliver on time and on spec. With a reputation gained from professionalism and quality, this company offers clients a complete design and build package; a total finished product managed from start to finish by its own engineers and quality assurance teams. They are suppliers to instantly recognisable high street chain stores and brand leaders because they are renowned for their innovative and progressive approach.