The first Pride of Bourne Awards were held at the hotel in North Street, Bourne, to celebrate the people in the town who make a difference in the lives of others.

About 200 people enjoyed a three course dinner, with ingredients sourced locally, before hearing about the 23 nominees across the eight categories from host Dean Spain.

He said: "The Pride of Bourne Awards 2009 is the biggest local event celebrating the stars of our community. It is very rare that we get to recognise people so close to home and these people we want to reward tonight."

The first award of the night was contribution to the community which was given to Margaret McGregor.

Mrs McGregor, of Maple Gardens, Bourne, worked tirelessly for the Girl Guides and is still involved despite having retired. She also took over the meals on wheels service in the town and also runs an annual coffee morning with her husband Dr Michael McGregor to raise money for leukaemia, which the couple lost their son to.

Mrs McGregor said she was overcome by the award. She said: "I was very surprised because there are so many people in the room that really deserve the same recognition for the work they do and it is rather a shame there can be only one winner."

In the category of charity fundraiser of the year, Nelly Sanders picked up the award. Mrs Sanders, 87, of Gladstone Street, Bourne, who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, received the award to cheers from her family and supporters.

She said: "It is absolutely marvellous even though I was quite scared to get up on stage. It has been an absolutely lovely evening though and I have enjoyed it very much."

It was an emotional evening for Stella Hart, who was named family member of the year. Mrs Hart, 58, of Meadowgate, Bourne, shed a few tears as she collected her award from the evening's organiser Jennette Munday, and held a photograph of her granddaughters Lydia and Ella Thompson.

Lydia and Ella suffer from the incurable Tay Sachs disease and have been Mrs Hart's inspiration.

She said: "You just do what you have to do when it comes to your family so it overwhelming to get an award. People have been so generous donating to the sensory room and now nominating me for this award."

She thanked close friend Stephanie Romaine for supporting her.
Year 6 Bourne Abbey Primary School teacher Ben Walker collected the teacher of the year award. He runs the school choir and his head of music at the school. He is set to leave the school at the end of the year for a new life in Hong Kong with his fiancee Amber Asher.

Mr Walker, 30, said: "It was a true honour to win and I was quite taken aback, but to be honest I don't know a teacher who doesn't give 100 per cent and it is all about team work."

Tricia Stubley, who volunteers for the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army, was the only nominee in the category of care worker of the year and was described as a "well-loved and appreciated lady".

Mrs Stubley, 70, of Ancaster Road, Bourne, said: "I am just absolutely overwhelmed and I was so honoured to even be nominated. It has been a really wonderful evening and I am sure it will be even more of a success next year."

Sports personality of the year was awarded to motorcycle racer Arnie Shelton, 20, who was away racing and couldn't be at the awards to collect it. His mum Diane collected the award on his behalf and Arnie said in a statement: "It is really nice to be recognised and the last year has been unbelievable for me, it couldn't have gone better."

Katrina Randall, 18, of Whatoff Way, Baston, received the award for young person of the year. Katrina volunteers for a cub group in Thurlby and raised the money herself to visit Tanzania before she goes to university to study to be a teacher.

She said: "I was really shocked to be nominated because I don't feel like I've really done anything to deserve it. There are lots of other people that could have been nominated in this category so I'm really pleased."

The final award of the evening in the category of emergency services hero went to the only nominee Harold Joyce, of Westwood Drive, Bourne, who worked for East Midlands Ambulance Service for 38 years.
Mr Joyce, 67, said: "I felt like it was a dream and it was a big surprise to me to even be nominated, especially being retired."

Organiser Jennette Munday closed the awards by presenting a cheque for £300 to the two nominated charities, the British Red Cross and Bourne Town Juniors Football Club.

She said: "We wanted to provide something from The Angel to show we are back and it is really important to us that the hotel is a central part of the town and the community.

"I am really proud that so many people turned out and thank you to everyone for supporting us."

The evening finished with a raffle, live entertainment and dancing.