Porthcawl Sea Festival hailed a great success
THIS year’s Porthcawl Sea Festival has been declared a success after the sun and the crowds came out to enjoy fun on the seafront.
With much of the children’s entertainment provided for free, the Porthcawl Town Council, Bridgend County Borough Council and Porthcawl Chamber of Trade event proved popular with day trippers and holiday makers.
“There were people there from all over Wales,” said Les Tallon-Morris, president of the town’s chamber of trade.
“I spoke to people from Swansea and Cardiff who made a point of coming down because they came last year and had a good time.
“There was lots of organisation beforehand. Sarah Watkins, To Page 3
IT was a humbling evening which celebrated the truly inspirational people who live in Bridgend county.
The annual Bridge FM Local Hero Awards recognised those who are working hard to overcome desperate circumstances and also those who make other people’s lives better.
Hosted by Bridge FM breakfast show presenter Lee Jukes and fellow radio host Louise Apsee, the ceremony at the Heronston Hotel in Bridgend honoured 13 people following a record number of nominations.
“We were inundated this year with so many amazing nominations,” said Lee.
“It was such a difficult job for the judges to whittle it down.
“The awards evening was a celebration of some truly inspirational people who live right here in Bridgend county borough.
“The stories we heard through the evening were very humbling and each winner completely deserved their award.”
The Teacher of the Year award went to Joe Williams, who works at Litchard Primary School in Bridgend.
Joe goes above and beyond for his students. He tutors lots of extra lessons during breaks and after school as well as extra curricular activities.
Joe has battled personally with bipolar disorder, but hasn’t let this affect his job and has even turned it into a positive by becoming a leading light in raising awareness for mental health disorders in the teaching profession.
Brackla councillor Dave Sage won the award for Outstanding Adult Achiever for his achievements in overcoming serious injuries and a stroke and continuing to fund raise for cancer charities, while still serving his community.
Husband and wife Keith and Margaret Hopkin, from North Cornelly, were presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award for continuing to run their local cub scout pack at 80 years old.
Kelly Owen, from Nantymoel, won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport.
She set up Cwm Ogwr Running Club in the Ogmore Valley in August 2012, which has helped to bring the community together through sport and introduce many people to running and fitness.
Kelly has also helped Nantymoel Primary School to set up their own mini running club and brought back the Cwm Ogwr Five Miler after a 20 year absence.
The final award of the evening, the Superhero Award, was presented to policeman Mike Evans.
The 49-year-old, from Bridgend, known affectionately as Evsy, has refused to let being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour slow him down.
Mike had come along to support his daughter Lily, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Charity award, after she started fund raising following her dad’s diagnosis.
But Mike got his own reward for his determi- nation to not only raise awareness and funds for Velindre Hospital, but also for his strength in continuing to take part in iron man and fitness events, including the Porthcawl Triathlon.
He has set up a new charity to raise awareness of brain tumours and also helps raise funds for Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, where he is being treated.
Together, he and Lily have raised almost £30,000 since February.
Evsy has also recently completed the long course Iron Man event in Tenby and will soon be taking part in Iron Man Wales.