Young at Heart commended
THE ANTICIPATION was building on Saturday 17 May at Pyramid as the WAPOP Young at Heart Awards made their return.
Older people from across Warrington nominated their peers and associates to win an award in acknowledgement of their work and achievements.
The awards were a huge success, in recognising and celebrating the participation and contributions of Warrington’s older community in the areas of Arts, Sports & Leisure.
The ceremony at Pyramid arts centre was attended by the Mayor as well as representatives from Age Concern, OPEG (Older People’s Engagement Group), University of the 3rd Age (U3A).
And the five award winners were:
Learner Award - Norman Sears
Norman started attending the Learning and Enterprise Centre at the beginning of February. He responded to an advert in a newsletter encouraging people to take advantage of a beginners IT course. Norman had never used a computer before but has now completed three IT courses and gained a range of new skills. He started with Switch On for complete beginners and is now working on Word Processing.
Group Award - Warrington Borough Council Activity Workers
The activity workers in older peoples day services have been nominated for their hard-work, Ideas, motivation, enthusiasm and effort above and beyond the call of duty which makes the service so successful.
Volunteer Award - Paul and Rita Roberts, John and Wendy Homer, Dilys Swann
Nominated jointly together for the voluntary work that they undertake for the U3A these 5 people contribute immensely to the work of the U3A. Paul and Rita Roberts and John and Wendy Homer have been joint leaders of the U3A walking group for over 10 years, whilst Dilys Swann is another stalwart who assists with the programming and she too has organised many walking holidays.
Sports Award - William Savage
At 91, Bill is our oldest individual nominee , he swims every Tuesday aiming to swim 1 mile, most times he succeeds. He recently learned to use the internet at the Fordton KT drop in centre. It takes him 2 bus rides to reach Fordton but rarely does a week go by when he doesn't attend. He enjoys rambling and still has a good swimming technique and outpaces younger people. Bill has outlived all his family and he is still very independent.
Arts Award - Jennie Radley
Jennie must be a very popular person as she was nominated twice for the WAPOP awards- once by the U3A for working tirelessly on the U3A magazine twice yearly and running several groups. She runs Singing for Pleasure, Music Appreciation and more recently the Sunday Lunch Club. She was also nominated for her work with Stockton Heath Playmakers where she acts, sings, writes and directs.
For more information about WAPOP and its partners, or to get involved, contact Owen Hutchings T: 01925 442738 E: ohutchings@warrington.gov.uk
We look forward to next year’s Young At Heart Awards!
Issued by: Gina Coldrick, Press Officer
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2008
Release: Immediate
Editor’s notes:
Picture attached: Arts Award Winner - Jennie Radley former Mayor Cllr Celia Jordan and Consort Roy Jefferson and Sports Winner - William Savage
WAPOP (Widening Active Participation for Older People) is a group of partners that meet regularly and is administered by the council. It was set up to co-ordinate provision of activities for older people across Warrington, and it works with community groups and partners including PCT.
