ST DAVID AWARD FINALISTS REVEALED
Heroic emergency service workers, a mental health campaigner and a craft beer brewing company are among those shortlisted for a top Welsh award. The St David Awards, inaugurated in 2014, recognise the achievements of people and organisations throughout Wa
AHEROIC Welsh Ambulance Service responder who attended a murder scene to find the assailant standing next to the victim with a running chainsaw has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
Julian Rudge is one of three people nominated for the bravery category in the St David Awards, which acknowledge extraordinary achievements of people in or from Wales.
Mr Rudge, of Blackwood, responded to a 999 call with a colleague.
On arriving at the property they discovered a woman who had been murdered following an attack.
The assailant was standing next to the victim’s body still holding a running chainsaw.
The Welsh Government said: “Julian showed great presence of mind and bravely took control of the potentially very dangerous situation.
“He made sure his colleague was safely out of harm’s way and then used his excellent communications skills to calm and reassure the attacker until the police arrived and made a peaceful arrest.”
They added that Mr Rudge’s “decisive decision-making” in the face of “extreme personal danger” meant that members of the public, ambulance service colleagues, and police officers were protected from harm.
Mr Rudge’s actions have already seen him win a recent Welsh Ambulance Service Staff Award and a South Wales Argus Health and Social Care Outstanding Achievement Award.
A South Wales Police call handler who confronted two men attacking each other and a PCSO who rescued a woman from a burning house in Swansea have also been shortlisted for the bravery category.
First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the finalists in nine categories – citizenship, culture, enterprise, innovation, science and technology, international, sport, young person, and the First Minister’s special award – yesterday.
Announcing the shortlisted individuals, groups and companies, he said: “This event, now in its fifth year, is a celebration to acknowledge just some of the people who have had input to make the significant difference to someone else’s life, overcome adversity, or have achieved something truly inspirational.
“Once again the St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people. Every single one is a credit to Wales. I look forward to celebrating their outstanding achievements at the awards ceremony on March 22.”
The awards ceremony will be held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
For the first time ever those not attending the ceremony will be able to see the winners being announced by watching a live stream of the event online.
THERE are 25 nominees across eight categories, with winners in each category being announced at the St David Awards ceremony at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on March 22.
Announcing the finalists, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This event, now in its fifth year, is a celebration to acknowledge just some of the people who have had input to make the significant difference to someone else’s life, overcome adversity or have achieved something truly inspirational.
“Once again, the St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people. Every single one is a credit to Wales.”
Here are the nominees in each category.
Bravery
Julian Rudge Responding to a 999 call, paramedic Julian and a colleague arrived at a property to discover a female who had been murdered after being attacked.
With the assailant standing next to the victim’s body – and holding a running chainsaw – Julian made sure his colleague was safely out of harm’s way before keeping the attacker calm and in situ until police arrived.
Laura Matthews On a summer evening in 2015, Laura – a call handler at the public service centre at South Wales Police headquarters – was alone driving when she came across a violent confrontation between two men, which had left one of them covered in blood.
Laura left the relative safety of her car to try to part the men, realising when she was standing between them that one of the men had a hammer – and managed to persuade the man to hand the hammer over.
When the confrontation continued, Laura defused the situation and administered first aid before coordinating the police and ambulance response at the scene.
PCSO Dunbar While off duty and returning home from a family shopping trip, Patrick drove past a house with smoke Patrick billowing from its windows in Swansea and returned to the scene on foot with his wife Joanne.
With thick smoke coming from the house, Patrick went inside after hearing screams coming from within and found two females in the kitchen. One of them had suffered severe burns to her legs and was unable to walk, and Patrick carried her to safety and his wife Joanne administered first aid.
Citizenship
Chris Roberts After being diagnosed with mixed dementia at the age of 50, Chris became a keen campaigner and advocate for others affected by dementia and a leading voice on a national and international stage.
He set up and runs a support group for people affected by dementia, and is an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador and Dementia Research UK Champion.
Hilary Johnston In 2016, Hilary set up the Cwtch Baby Bank charity after she realised there wasn’t a charity willing to accept her leftover baby equipment.
Since its launch, the charity – which supports vulnerable families in the community by redistributing baby items, essential equipment, clothing, toys and toiletries for newborns and toddlers – has helped more than 750 families.
Mair Elliott Mair, who has autism spectrum disorder, spends her time campaigning for improved services and increased awareness of both mental health and autism.
She provides written and verbal evidence to government committees, sits on expert reference groups, participates in television programmes, speaks at events and blogs about her experiences.
She is a trustee of Hafal, Wales’ largest service provider to people with mental illness, and a research champion for the National Centre for Mental Health.
Culture
David Pountney David, artistic director of the Welsh National Opera (WNO), took up the position in 2011 but has been collaborating with the company since 1975 when he directed a groundbreaking Janácek cycle of operas.
Since 2011, David has made a significant contribution to the wider arts scene in Wales and encouraged partnership working between arts organisations.
While continuing to work around the world as a freelance opera director, David has also built a presence for WNO abroad, particularly in Oman and Dubai, where the company was the first British opera company to perform at the new Dubai Opera House in 2017.
Huw Edwards The BBC News at Ten presenter, who has been a broadcast journalist for more than 30 years, has in recent years presented the main ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games, anchored the BBC coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Wedding and the inauguration of President Obama.
Lynwen Lynwen is at the helm of one of the most successful and powerful brands in the international film sector: she is the general manager of Lucasfilm – best known for creating and producing the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
Lynwen remains passionate about Wales and was instrumental in the decision to establish ILM London, a world-class visual effects and animation studio, which has created 400 jobs, including a research and development and stage department designed to promote innovation in filmmaking. Brennan
Enterprise
John Recliners The Rhonddabased company supplies and manufactures made-tomeasure mobility Davies reclining furniture and seating.
With managing director John’s more than 30 years’ experience in the furniture and manufacturing business and an established workforce of 37 employees, Recliners continues to develop by offering formal training and development courses to staff. specialist
Tiny Rebel Brewing Co Founded in 2012 by brothers-in-law Bradley Cummings and Gareth Williams, above, Rogerstone-based Tiny Rebel Brewing Co now employs 120 members of staff and exports to 35 countries.
The company has won some of the UK’s top brewing awards, picking up Brewery Business of the Year in 2016, an overall bronze in the Champion Beer of Britain Awards in 2017, and their Cwtch ale winning Champion Beer of Britain in 2015.