The winners of this year’s Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards have been revealed!
On Friday the 25th of April at The Old College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the shortlisted nominees came together for a fantastic ceremony and black tie dinner, including performances from Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums, Uplands Primary School Choir and the Artemis College Singers.
Business of the Year
Gold Award: Daler-Rowney is a globally renowned producer of high-quality art materials. Beyond their products, Daler-Rowney supports local schools with donations, champions family-friendly art competitions, and collaborates with national and local art societies, such as the National Acrylic Painters Association. Daler-Rowney is a company that not only inspires artists across the globe but also supports creative communities at every level.
Silver Award: Duncan Yeardley is a family-run, independent estate agent committed to going the extra mile for local property owners and renters in Ascot and Bracknell. Their strong community focus is evident through support for local events, fundraising, and charities, particularly their long-standing partnership with Youthline, where they have provided financial aid, materials, and valuable volunteer time to enhance Youthline’s counselling services.
Charity of the Year
Gold Award: COATS Crowthorne run a centre that provides essential support to the local senior community. The COATS Centre offers companionship, freshly cooked meals, and a variety of activities for those over 60, in order to combat social isolation, frailty, and loneliness. The dedicated staff, along with strong community support, create a welcoming environment for both new and long-standing residents, making COATS a vital and cherished local resource.
Silver Award: Kaleidoscopic UK provides long-term support for those who have been exposed to domestic abuse, empowering them to rebuild confidence. Offering a range of services, including educational programmes, craft sessions, and food support, the charity creates a safe, welcoming space for survivors and their families. Founded by Vickie Robertson BEM, Kaleidoscopic UK has made a significant impact in the area, helping local individuals to rebuild their lives.
John Nike Pride of Bracknell Forest- Adult’s Award
Gold Award: Mark Harvey has shown exceptional dedication in mental health advocacy through his voluntary work with Andy’s Man Club. Mark has worked tirelessly with the council and community to establish a peer-to-peer support group in Bracknell. Since its inception in June 2024, the group has rapidly expanded, delivering 2,000 hours of mental health support and outgrowing its original venue. Mark’s efforts have saved and enriched the lives of numerous men, he is a true inspiration.
Silver Award: Collette Reynolds has devoted 18 years to supporting young people’s mental health at Youthline. Her leadership has ensured the charity provides essential counselling and guidance for Bracknell’s youth. As Head of Operations, she has driven key initiatives and consistently raises funds to sustain vital services. Her passion and selfless dedication make her the heart and soul of Youthline, helping transform young people’s lives every day.
John Nike Pride of Bracknell Forest- Young Person’s Award
Gold Award: James Ferris: Acknowledging the difficulties many families experience during school holidays, eight-year-old James Ferris took the initiative to set up a food bank collection at his school to support those in need. He coordinated year-group donations and encouraged classmates to include extra treats for children, ensuring contributions were made when demand was at its highest. James’s efforts have inspired his peers, resulting in over 600kg of donations in 2024 alone.
Silver Award: Logan Bates has a selfless dedication to helping others. He has now grown and donated his hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness, on two separate occasions. These incredible acts of kindness took years of perseverance, reflecting his generosity and compassion for those in need. A role model for his peers, Logan leads with quiet yet powerful actions that deserve acknowledgement and celebration.
Long-Standing Service to the Community
Gold Award: Jessie Ritchie has dedicated decades to serving her community with remarkable commitment. For 35 years, she worked as a minibus escort for children with special educational needs at Kennel Lane School, only retiring at the incredible age of 100 in 2020. Additionally, for over 40 years, she has voluntarily taken the Red Diamond register at Sunday night swimming sessions. Now 105, Jessie’s unwavering dedication and service make her a truly deserving nominee for this award.
Silver Award: Nicola Goddard has run the Birch Hill Community Centre youth club for over 15 years. Assisted by family members and volunteers, she has created a safe, welcoming space for young people, keeping them off the streets and engaged in positive activities. Her hard work has made this vital service so popular that it is currently oversubscribed. Nicola’s commitment and leadership have ensured the club’s continued success, making a lasting impact on countless young lives.
School of the Year
Gold Award: Holly Spring Primary School provides academic, social, and emotional support for pupils, ensuring every child feels seen and valued. Not only does the school nurture its pupils, it also supports our wider community, organising food drives and mental health initiatives as well as building local partnerships. Highly recommended by parents, Holly Spring stands out for its holistic approach to fostering an enriching environment where children can grow and succeed.
Silver Award: Crown Wood Primary School has been recognised for its steadfast commitment to improvement. The staff go above and beyond to create a caring and engaging environment for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Their dedication extends beyond education, offering exceptional support to families going through challenging times. Crown Wood’s drive for excellence makes it a truly outstanding school.
Sport & Achievement- Adult’s Award
Gold Award: Jack Pitcher ran an astonishing 2,684 miles across Australia, from Perth to Sydney, breaking the British record by 16 days. His achievement was not only a feat of endurance, but also a powerful personal journey. Having faced his own struggles with depression, Jack undertook this challenge to inspire others battling mental health difficulties. In doing so, he raised vital funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and ARC Wokingham, a volunteer-led counselling service.
Silver Award: Jim Emery has dedicated nearly 30 years to Sandhurst Football Club, going far beyond his role as Treasurer to support the club and community. From running charity tournaments to leading a Dutch football exchange, his commitment is unwavering. Jim also volunteers at Sandhurst Sports Bar and has even turned his own milestone birthday into a charity fundraising event. Always the first to arrive and last to leave, Jim’s passion and dedication make him a pillar of Sandhurst sport.
Sport & Achievement- Young Person’s Award
Gold Award: Daisy Miles: Joining Bracknell Gymnastics Club at 6 years old, Daisy Miles fulfilled her dream by representing Team GB at the TeamGym European Championships in Baku at just 13 – the youngest ever to do so. Selected from 150 gymnasts, Daisy attended intensive training across England, helping her team to place fifth. Daisy now inspires younger athletes, training five times a week and mentoring others. Her determination, talent, and commitment to the sport make her a credit to Bracknell.
Gold Award: Paige Sloper’s dedication to ice skating is truly inspiring. As a member of the Slough Synchronised Ice Skating Team, she has competed in prestigious national and international events, earning multiple medals, including two British championship golds. Her commitment shows in her early morning training sessions before school and her role in Team GB’s success. Beyond this, Paige’s positivity and influence inspire her peers, making her a remarkable role model in both sport and school.
Teacher of the Year
Gold Award: Sue Marsh has devoted her career to shaping the lives of young people in Bracknell Forest. As Head Teacher of Holly Spring School, she has built a warm, nurturing, and inclusive community where every child feels important. Passionate about both academic success and emotional well-being, she helps pupils thrive through her kind support and uplifts those around her with a warm sense of humour. As she prepares for her well-deserved retirement, this award honours her dedication to education and inclusion.
Silver Award: Rob Laidlaw is an exceptional educator whose innovative teaching methods and unwavering commitment to student success set him apart. He goes above and beyond to support his students with an open-door policy, offering extra tutoring, mentorship, and emotional guidance to all who need it. Beyond the classroom, he is a driving force in extracurricular activities, coaching teams, leading clubs, and organising events. His commitment to education makes him an inspiring role model.
Team of the Year
Gold Award: Brew: The Brew Coffee Bar team creates an inclusive space, brightening customers’ days and making them feel like a part of the Brew family. Led by Jem and Jon, Brew proudly champions local businesses, serving locally sourced teas and coffees, offering a safe and friendly space for public health partners to meet, and actively supporting a range of charities. The team’s warm generosity and passion for all things local makes them the true heart of the Lexicon.
Silver Award: Sandhurst Health Walks: Sandhurst Health Walks, a volunteer-led team, has organised daily walks for over 10 years. Welcoming all abilities, these walks improve physical wellbeing whilst also helping those facing mental health struggles or social isolation. Local medical professionals even refer patients to this service to support their recovery. They foster a warm community – each walk ends in a cafe trip, and the team organises a variety of events each year to raise funds, and to bring local people together.
Young Person in Business
Sophie Holmes: Joining Page Hardy Harris as an apprentice upon finishing school, Sophie Holmes has played a key role in supporting local businesses, including canvassing for Bracknell’s first BID vote. Rising to Senior Commercial Property Surveyor by 22, she balanced a demanding role with part-time study, earning a BSc in Real Estate Management and becoming a Chartered Commercial Property Surveyor. Now mentoring apprentices, she also frequently leads complex negotiations in support of local businesses. Sophie’s admirable dedication and work ethic truly embody the spirit of this award.
Special Recognition
Bernadette Dunstone: Bernadette Dunstone has spent 20 years transforming the COATS Centre into a vital community asset for senior citizens. With kindness, empathy, and tireless energy, she has supported countless seniors, treating them like family and always offering a listening ear. Under her leadership, the Centre has grown to serve over 50 seniors from Crowthorne and beyond. Now retired as of December 2024, this award acts as a fitting tribute to her incredible contribution.
Liz Cook
Liz Cook retires this summer after 19 years at King’s Academy Easthampstead Park, including 13 as headteacher. Under her direction, the school has blossomed, fostering a culture of respect, care, and success. She has guided the school through significant challenges like the pandemic, as well as contributing to the wider community as Chair of the Secondary Headteachers Group. A passionate advocate for young people and a trusted support for colleagues, Liz leaves an enduring legacy.
