IT WAS an inspirational night that celebrated the remarkable individuals and organisations in the borough that make the town such a diverse, vibrant and special place to live and work.
The annual Basingstoke A Place to be Proud of Awards (PTBPO) held at Audley’s Wood Hotel, organised by Destination Basingstoke, saw 16 awards presented to those who make a real difference in the town, including a secondary school headteacher and a nine-year-old girl.
Guests enjoyed a welcome drink reception followed by a two-course meal before the ceremony began, hosted by previous PTBPO award winner Dave Holby-Wolinski - who famously rowed around the world on a static machine - and broadcaster Genevieve Touzin from Sky TV.
Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, described the 23rd awards ceremony as a “very special evening”, adding: “It is wonderful to think that an idea born in 2003 is still going strong. Since those first awards, thousands of people have been recognised and celebrated for their contribution to Basingstoke and Deane – and tonight we will add more names to that proud roll call.”
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Mr Pender gave a special mention to Mark Jones, one of the founders of the awards, when he was editor at The Gazette. “His contribution in past years to everything A Place to be Proud of stands for has been immense,” he said.
He also thanked key partners and category sponsors, saying: “Without your support these awards simply would not exist.”
Awards were presented in various categories, including Young Role Model, Charity Champion, Inspirational Educator, Unsung Hero, and Lifetime Achievement.
Mr Holby-Wolinski paid tribute to the winners, saying they all make Basingstoke “immeasurably richer”.
Closing the ceremony, he said: “What an extraordinary, inspiring, humbling night. Every single person celebrated this evening – every winner, every finalist – represents something that makes this borough genuinely special. Not the buildings or statistics, but the people. The ones who show up, give their time, who care about the person next to them and the community around them.
"Tonight we have seen that in abundance, and I hope every single one of you leaves this room feeling celebrated and seen – because you deserve it.”
A full list of the award winners is below – the inspiring stories behind each of the winners, along with photos from the night, will be published on the Gazette website and in a special supplement in this week’s Basingstoke Gazette newspaper, out on Thursday.
The full list of award winners:
Young Role Model sponsored by Queen Mary’s College: Sienna Cripps
Charity Champion sponsored by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: Julie Jones
Community Project sponsored by Vivid: Inclusion Education / Batton of Hope Tour 2025
Green Champion sponsored by Manydown Hampshire: Natural Basingstoke
Health and Wellbeing sponsored by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Quince Counselling
Inspirational Educator sponsored by Basingstoke College of Technology: Chris Edwards
Sports Personality of the Year sponsored by Coach The Run: Dave Ragan
Sports Club of the Year sponsored by Rotary Sport: Wolverines Cheerleading Academy
Arts and Entertainment sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council: Scratch Built Productions
Unsung Hero sponsored by Absolutely Offices: Hiro Fam
Above and Beyond sponsored by Phillips Law: Matt Woods
Special Recognition: Graham Hatcher
Lifetime Achievement sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council: Merv Reese; Patricia Fox; Peter Robson; and Trevor Francis
