Nominees for the Best of Brecon Awards gathered at y Gaer in Brecon for a night of fun and celebrations last night (Friday, 2 June).

The awards are now in their third year and celebrate the work of volunteers and community groups in Brecon.

There were seven categories for the awards. The winners are as follows:

The Young Volunteer award went to Pontfaen YFC.

Pontfaen YFC has 70 members ranging in age from 10 to 28 years. Last December they held an illuminated tractor run through Brecon and sort grant funding so that Santa could come and give selection boxes to children. 

Hundreds of people turned out to see the procession. The event raised over £5,000 for Wales Air Ambulance and the DPJ Foundation Books project. 

The DPJ wanted to create books because they were approached by a parent who had lost her husband to suicide, and she wanted to know if there were any resources to help explain to her son. 

Pontfaen YFC wanted to raise enough money to print these books and give them to all primary schools in the area. 

The books will shortly be going to print and will be delivered to local schools.

Johnathan Morgan won Volunteer of the Year. 

 Over the years Johnathan has donated substantial amounts of his own money to local charities and good causes in Brecon. He attends as many local events as possible and is extremely generous. 

 He is also a volunteer in the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh, the Cathedral and Y Gaer and has sat on many committees for local charities and organisations in Brecon in the past.

 Johnathan was nominated for his kindness and financial support to great causes in Brecon that have benefitted from his generosity.

 Johnathan was born in Brecon and while collecting his award, he said: “I came back from the army with Post Traumatic Stress but I’m not sure they really recognised it at that stage, but I was in hell of a mess. 

“It’s thanks to this town and my friends in this town that I got back on my feet, and I thank this town very much indeed for all its done for me.”

The award for Voluntary Group of the Year went to Brecon Meeting Centre volunteers Dementia Matters in Powys.

 Every Thursday, Mary, Donna, Victoria, and Wendy volunteer at a meeting centre at the Baptist Church in Brecon for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

 They help to set everything up, arrange the activities and cook a fabulous two-course meal every week.

This service wouldn’t be able to happen if it wasn’t for the volunteers’ support and hard work. 

 Upon receiving the award, the volunteers said: “What a lovely surprise! It’s a very special place for anybody living with dementia, they’re supported and welcome to come along on a Thursday. It’s a really special place and lovely to be a part of.”

Callum Higgins took home the Personal Achievement award.

Callum has been a large part of the Brecon volunteer Bureau for three years, helping out the different groups that use the Market Hall Vaults. 

 He has become an invaluable volunteer helping with all sorts of jobs from washing up to litter picking. Despite many difficulties for Callum, he has become a mentor to many people who experience similar problems and challenges themselves and he never misses the opportunity to help others. 

He has set up an evening Dungeons and Dragons group bringing together people from all walks of life.

Callum plays a key act in St. Mary’s church and has become a well-known and considerate part of the congregation.

Collecting his award, Callum said: “Well, I’ve got to be honest with all of you, I never really expected all my achievements to go noticed. I just do what anyone else would have done to try and do the right thing for this community.

 “I thank you all so much for noticing my achievements, it’s just been the best!”

The Trustee award was won by Gary Blackledge.

 Gary has been a trustee and a board member at Theatr Brycheiniog since 2014. 

 He’s also a chair of the Building and Health and Safety committee. In these rolls he has made a sustained and positive contribution to the affective governance and the organisation.

 Gary has also been a much-valued steward at the theatre since it opened in 1997, providing more than 25 years of service. 

 He is also involved with Brecon Royal Air Force Association and is the current club chair. In recent years, Gary has been very generous in making donations for technical support and refurbishment work. He also purchased a piano for the club which was very much welcomed. He is hands on and a practical person.

 From working in the housing sector professionally, Gary brings leadership and management experience, allowing him to support local organisations to bell well governed, well run and sustainable.

 After receiving the award, Gary said: “We do work down the theatre much as a group. People will notice the rebranding and new café at the theatre. There’s much more to come. Thank you very much!”

The Community Business award was won by Shelly Cottle.

Shelly runs Brecon’s Sarah Siddons and is a well-known local landlady and respected in the town. 

 She goes the extra mile for the community and really works to support her customers, and providing a safe community space for many people.

Shelly and the pub had stepped in to help people in the community and feed them. One customer has said that Shelly and the Siddons’ team would deliver them Sunday lunches, making sure they had a hot meal.

When it is a customer’s birthday, a cake is always waiting for them in the pub.

 Shelly and the Siddons also support many local causes too and regularly hold fundraisers and sponsor local sports teams.

 Another story about Shelly is that she had not heard from one of her loyal customers for a few days so took it upon herself to track the person down, make sure they were okay and had all their essentials.

The Mayor’s award for outstanding contribution was won by The Westenders.

 Every year for 75 years, the Westenders have made a significant contribution to and benefitted the people of Brecon by putting on the annual pantomime, that brings hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds together. 

 Theatr Brycheiniog is filled with packed houses for a ten-show run every January.

The Mayor of Brecon, Michaela Davies said: “The opportunities this brings to the Brecon community by way of performance, confidence, singing and music as well as supporting roles cannot be underestimated.” 

 The regular provision of entertainment for all, as well as the contribution to community and charity events mean that the Westenders have been chosen as winners of The Mayor’s award for outstanding contribution.

 A spokesperson for the Westenders told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “For a company that’s been going for 75 years, to be recognised by the community and everything we do is for the community, we are so grateful. Our founder would be so impressed. He started this society in 1948 and its still going strong now. Thank you very much. It means the world to us. We are so, so, so proud!”