Tel: 01623 707017
January 2017
WINNERS celebrate at the 2016 Mansfield Sport Recognition Awards presentation evening.
Meet sports awards winners
BILL BEAUMONT presents a cheque to cyclist Ross Lamb.
Sporting help FORMER England rugby captain and TV Question Of Sport host Bill Beaumont was the star guest at a dinner that raised money for Mansfield and Ashfield’s rising sports stars. The Armchair Club — formed in 1982 by six businesspeople wanting to help their local community — has since handed out more than £200,000 to sportspeople, teams and organisations. It now has 15 members who meet monthly to plan fundraising events. At the dinner at Portland College, Bill presented a cheque for £250, on behalf of the club, to Mansfield cyclist Ross Lamb, (20), who was recently awarded his Elite Level British Cycling licence. Ross raced in Belgium last season and is keen to progress to the European (continued on page 2)
Recycling all around the world
MORE than 360 pairs of crutches and six Zimmer-style walking frames have been sent to Syria, and around 2,200 hand-towel and 900 toilet-roll dispensers have been donated to Zambia, thanks to links that Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust has formed with volunteer group Community Help Africa and charity Hand In Hand For Syria. Waste contract manager Samantha Stanhope said: “After the trust replaced all hand-towel and toilet-roll dispensers, we were left with a large number that could be reused. “I researched charities and came across Community Help Africa, a group of dedicated volunteers who aim to help less fortunate people in Africa and the UK achieve their potential through education and training.” The items will be re-used in hospitals, schools and other buildings in Zambia. Samantha said: “A lot of what comes through as waste can be reused, first and foremost within the trust.”
ATHLETE Ella Hughes capped a marvellous year by being named sportsperson of the year at the 2016 Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards. Ella made the transition from school to university, earning a full blue for Cambridge University and an England call-up. The cross-country athlete won the Nottinghamshire County Under-20 Championship by a huge margin and then went on to win the Midlands title. Swimmer Ollie Hynd claimed the disabled sportsperson of the year award after a terrific year that saw him break world records and become the leading male medal winner for the British swimming team at the Paralympics in Brazil, where he claimed two gold medals. The annual ceremony, organised by Mansfield District Council in association with The Armchair Club and the Chad, recognised the district’s sporting greats, including the best teams, coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen. It was held at The Civic Quarter inside the Civic Centre, Mansfield, and attracted 41 nominations across 10 categories.
There were also two additional awards — the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award, which recognises the work of an individual in promoting sport within the district, and the Ian Bagshaw Memorial Award, in memory of former Water Meadows manager Ian Bagshaw, who lost his life to leukaemia in 2014, aged 57. Swimmers claimed the junior awards. Junior sportsperson of the year was Warsop’s Elliot Clogg, who qualified for the 2016 European Juniors Championships in Hungary, and junior disabled sportsperson of the year was Ben Foulston, ranked number three in Britain at his Paralympic 400m freestyle event and 21st in the International Paralympic Committee world rankings. Portfolio holder for the environment at the district council Coun Andrew Tristram said: “Mansfield is deservedly proud of its athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers, who have made 2016 yet another memorable sporting year. “The sportsmen and sportswomen are competing at a very high level, putting Mansfield on the map, both nationally and internationally. I thank them for all their outstanding contributions to sport in the district.” l SEE pages 26 and 27 for a full report and photos.
Health stars celebrate
Leas Park celebrations
MANSFIELD Woodhouse’s Leas Park School is marking 50 years since it opened by inviting former pupils of all ages to a coffee afternoon on 16th January. Visitors are invited to take old photographs to share with current youngsters and to reminisce about their school days. Later in 2017, a summer event will be held to celebrate 50 years of the school. A time capsule will also be buried. The school has log books that date to the first day Leas Park Junior School opened with around 63 pupils. Today there are 280 youngsters at the school.
Competition hits bullseye
THE Emergency Assessment Unit team (above) at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were among the winners as staff excellence and outstanding achievements were celebrated at a special awards ceremony. See pages 12 and 13 for a full report and more photographs.
The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Sustainability and Transformation Plan — centre pages
THE NewsJournal has teamed up with Mansfield Town Football Club for a competition that is sure to be a hit with darts fans. We have got four pairs of tickets to see Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham in a Legend Of Darts evening at the club’s 1861 Suite as prizes in the easy-to-enter competition. q See page 2.