RESIDENTS are being urged to nominate their Basingstoke and Deane heroes as the deadline looms for this year's A Place to be Proud of Awards.

Friday, April 18, is the closing date for entries to this year's awards, which will be compered by popular celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock.

There are a range of awards up for grabs at the event, which is now in its fifth year and has become a focal point of the Basingstoke calendar.

The awards - which have been organised by Destination Basingstoke, Festival Place, Gazette Newspapers, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the Local Strategic Partnership - honour individuals and organisations who have made a positive difference in Basingstoke and Deane.

Beverley Flanagan, chairman of Destination Basingstoke, said: "Everyone will know of individuals or organisations that deserve to be recognised at the awards.

"The awards are an opportunity for people to make a nomination and show that the hard work and commitment of individuals and organisations, that makes a real difference to the town and borough, is appreciated and admired."

Nominations are invited for the various award categories listed in the panel on this page. A PDF (531KB) of the entry form, with tips for making nominations, can be downloaded from our website by clicking here or from www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk or www.festivalplace.co.uk. To view the PDF you will need Adobe's Reader.

The awards dinner and presentation ceremony will take place in Festival Place on the evening of Sunday, July 13.

Award categories and sponsors

  • Arts and Culture Award - sponsored by Barclays
  • Schools and Education Award - sponsored by Winterthur
  • Good Citizen Award - sponsored by Gazette Newspapers and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
  • Young Achiever Award - sponsored by Tenon
  • Good Neighbour Award - sponsored by Sentinel Housing Group and Kingfisher Housing Association
  • Unsung Hero Award - sponsored by CORGI
  • Health and Care Award - sponsored by Queen Mary's College and Vitacress
  • Basingstoke Ambassador Award - sponsored by Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust
  • Judges' Special Award - sponsored by Absolutely Offices
  • Student of the Year Award - sponsored by GAME

Eli Lilly is sponsoring the champagne reception at the awards evening and HCR Property Management will be supporting the event by sponsoring the string quartet that will play at the event.