Mayor of Neath Port Talbot Citizen Awards 2023 – Margam Orangery

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot Citizen Awards 2023 recognised and rewarded individuals and community groups who make a real difference to neighbourhoods and communities here in Neath Port Talbot.

The award ceremony took place at The Orangery at Margam Country Park on April 21st. Hosted by Sean Holley, it was a very emotional evening supported by the local business community and special guests.

The Mayor, Councillor Robert Wood said: “I would like to thank title sponsors Tata Steel UK and John Pye Auctions and all award category sponsors. Without your support this very heartwarming event would not have been possible.”

Thanks to the generosity of all who attended, the raffle draw also raised funds for the Mayor’s two nominated charities: the National Autistic Society (Cymru) and Neath Port Talbot Stroke Group

Cllr Wood added: “A big thank you also to the marvellous Neath Polyphonic Choir who sang at the start of the evening accompanied by Mary Evans and Lara Omidvar under Choir Director, Mark Ritzmann.”

To see pictures from this inspirational evening please visit our social media channels.

And here again are our award winners:

Good Neighbour Award with Associated British Ports
Winner: Pam Williams
Pam is dedicated volunteer and works tirelessly to improve the lives of residents in Skewen and surrounding areas. She volunteers every day at Ty Santes Fair Community Centre and organises a great range of beneficial activities for everyone. These include Coffee & Lunch Clubs, Community Choir, Bowls, Women’s Project and Men’s Shed Group.

Volunteer of the Year with Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service
Winner: Jeremy Dummer
Jeremy is the Coach, Chairman and fixture secretary of Cwrt Herbert Colts u15 Football Team.
Over many years he has given a huge amount of time to the club. He is a mentor and friend to players and parents alike.

Performing Arts Award with Buffoon Media
Winner: Denise Francis – Afan Arts
Neath Port Talbot produces more than its fair share of successful actors and singers. We can also be proud of individuals who, through the arts, achieve personal goals and purpose. The winner of this award created this unique arts project that’s now become a charity. The main objective of Afan Arts is to help young people develop their capabilities and grow in confidence through arts & creative activities.

Environment and Heritage Award with John Pye Auctions
Winners: South Wales Miners’ Museum, Afan Forest Park
When it comes to Environment and Heritage, we have so much to be proud of here in Neath Port Talbot. From our industrial past to our amazing coastline and the beauty of our valleys.
The closure of Glyncorrwg colliery in 1970 brought an end to coal mining in the Afan Valley. Back then a small group of forward thinking former miners were concerned the heritage of the valley, both social and industrial, could soon be forgotten. So, they decided to create a museum of valley life. By 1972 Afan Forest Park was open and with sufficient memorabilia and artefacts the museum opened too. That was 51 years ago, and volunteers still continue to uphold the ethos of the original group.

Child of Courage Award with Trade Centre Wales
This award was presented to Sharelle Gilley
Courage comes in different forms. Reading through the nominations that came in for the Child of Courage award, the judging panel had an almost impossible task. There are children and young people among us that face unimaginable hardships right from the start of their young lives.
The brave little girl it was our privilege to honour is from Blaendulais/Seven Sisters.

Supporting Education Award with NPTC Group of Colleges
Winner: Hayley Amber
The last few years have been tough for young people in schools and colleges. Teachers and staff have shown incredible care, commitment and determination to support young people through challenging times. Our winner in this category is the Senior Learning Support Assistant in the Additional Learning Needs Department at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera. She was nominated by the father of one of her pupils.

Sports Star of the Year with Pump Supplies Limited
Winner: Llian Llewellyn
Llian is a member of Cwmllynfell Short Mat Bowls Team and started playing at the age of 8.
She won her first international cap for Wales under 21s at the age of 11 and was selected to represent the full Wales team at the age of 13. She has won two Welsh National championships and last March she won the World Championship title in Aberdeen!

Outstanding Bravery Award with Runtech
Winner: Garyn Jones
Garyn is in his last year in 6th Form at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera.
He’s a competitive swimmer and Club Captain at Neath Amateur Swimming Club. He’s also a qualified Level 1 swimming coach. When he was just two weeks old he was diagnosed with a heart defect. At 11 months, he had his first pacemaker fitted, and has since received a further three open heart surgeries. Despite having a total of six operations so far he has never let this hold him back.

Health & Wellbeing Award with Centregreat Limited
Winners: Bulldogs Boxing & Community Activities
This award was open to local groups or individuals who help to promote health and wellbeing. Bulldogs at Baglan Moors isn’t ‘just a boxing club and gym’. They’re now a community focused team that offer wellbeing workshops, drop in services, childcare activities, veteran support, educational courses, school activities and more.

Mayor’s Special Recognition Award
Winners: Afan Valley Angling & Conservation Club
With this award the Mayor wanted to pay tribute for the efforts and work over many years of a club that has done so much for the local environment in the Afan Valley and in particular the river itself.
Afan Valley Angling & Conservation Club was originally formed in 1951. This small group were not only interested in fishing but also realised that without clean water the fish and surrounding natural habitats would inevitably decline. Locals and visitors to the Afan Valley today see what appears to be a clean watercourse supporting good stocks of trout, sea trout and salmon. This is mainly down the club’s volunteers who have persevered to enhance this watercourse.

Community Champion with Tata Steel UK
Winner: Carl Bradley – The Boot Room
In 2019 this football fanatic and Swans fan had an idea. Carl’s aim was to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep playing football. His vision was simple. He wanted people just to donate their kid’s old football boots. They would then be donated to another child. Since then, to say that Carl Bradley’s ‘Boot Room’ initiative with the help of many volunteers, has gone from strength to strength is an understatement! Now based at Vernon Place Community Hub in Briton Ferry the project continues to help thousands of children every year.

Contribution to Charity Award with Castell Howell Foods
Winners: Shaun Tobin and the team behind the Richard Burton 10k
This award went to an annual event that marked its 40th anniversary last November. The RB10k stands as shining example of what can happen when passionate people get together to create something awe-inspiring; and have the energy and motivation to keep it going.
Since 2015, under Race Director Shaun Tobin, participation has risen to over 2,500 entrants allowing it to hand out well over £100,000 to local charities every year. The villages of Cwmafan and Pontrhydyfen come out in numbers to show their support showcasing not only what a great place we live in but what great people we have in our communities too.