Unsung heroes from right across the Tendring District have been honoured in a new award scheme.

The 20 recipients of Pride of Tendring Awards have been announced today (January 1, 2012) and will be followed by a special ceremony to be staged at Clacton's Princes Theatre next month.

The initiative is aimed at recognising those who make a real difference to the lives of others in the community.

The awards are the brainchild of Tendring District Council (TDC) Chairman Alan Goggin, are sponsored by Dong Energy and have the support of the Clacton, Frinton and Walton Gazette and the Harwich and Manningtree Standard.

All 60 Tendring District Councillors had the opportunity to put forward their nominations which represent a whole host of organisations throughout Tendring.

They are men and women of all ages who do so much good work in and for their community and are richly deserving of these accolades.

While the 2011 awards are the first, it is the aim to make them an annual event on the Tendring calendar.

"The whole idea is to honour our previously unsung heroes and heroines," said Cllr Goggin.

"They all come from within the Tendring boundaries and I have met many such people during my time as Chairman.

"There is so much good work going on behind the scenes that goes unrewarded and I felt it was time to do something to put that right."

An all-party group at TDC helped to lay down the guidelines for the awards and all will have the opportunity to continue to be involved with the scheme for the first 12 months at least.

"I have found the whole process both exciting and uplifting and there has been tremendous support for the initiative," added Cllr Goggin.

"I am now looking forward to meeting all the recipients in person at the reception which is being staged on February 10.

"I would like to say a big thank you to Dong Energy for sponsoring the awards and helping to make it such a special event and to the Gazette and Standard for also coming on board.

"Hopefully it may inspire many others to get involved with volunteering and help to create the next generation to be honoured in years to come."

The list of recipients is as follows:

Yvonne Wienling - a volunteer at Catch 22, an organisation which provides an appropriate adult service at Clacton Police Station for those who have no other support at an interview and to ensure it is conducted fairly.

Vera Doughty - 90-year-old President of Holland Residents Association who has served the area for 30 years and has worked for Family Support for 20 years.

Sylvia Hobbs - actively involved in many organisations in Jaywick including the Community Forum, Green Team, Golf Green Hall management committee, Jaywick and Tudor Residents Association.

Sue Croft - a campaigner with Grey Pride which aims to change cultural and political attitudes towards older people.

Chris Scott - a man who has set up the most successful rock school in Tendring based in Harwich, helping to keep young people off the streets and taking part in music.

Brenda Oliver - is involved with at least a dozen groups in Jaywick - which include Guides, handicraft club, Jaywick Forum, gardening club, Jaywick and Tudor Residents Association - as well as being a carer for her husband.

Jessie White - has been involved with Family Support in Brightlingsea since it started in 1992 and was one of the original volunteers. She has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities.

Jacque Collyer-Smith - from Brightlingsea is a founder member of the Seaview Players, acting in and producing many shows as well as organising fund-raising concerts. She has been involved Deputy's Christmas gift fund committee for 46 years.

Mhairi Kimmitt - has been involved in a whole range of community groups in Brightlingsea including treasurer for the scouts, editor of United Church magazine, founder of Brightlingsea Playgroup, and involved in many other church activities.

Kevin Hudson - a retained firefighter in Manningtree who is a member of Manningtree St John Ambulance, and helped set up Manningtree Community First Responders.

Phil Cooper - Chairman of Clacton Bowls Club who devotes endless hours to the club and who also lost five stone to donate one of his kidneys to his wife who suffers from a long term illness.

Valerie Wrycraft - a very active member of St Michael's Church, Ramsey and is both treasurer and organist. She is also Chairman of Little Oakley Parish Council.

Trisha Turner - a resident in the Rush Green ward of Clacton who runs the local community centre and helps out both the young and the old.

Michael Dorling - is devoted to the care Great Bentley Green and is Chairman of the Friends of the Green. He is also involved in many groups and helps run the village hall.

Col (Retd) Martin C Frostick OBE - has made a real difference in the village of Great Bromley having been a Parish Councillor for ten years, its Chairman for four. He has been tree warden for seven years and village hall trustee for nine years.

Pastor Eamon Black - from Asher Ministries of Clacton carries out out-reach work with youngsters and the disadvantaged in the Clacton area.

Darren Couchman - a survivor of testicular cancer who works tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research and who tours Britain to raise awareness of the disease he suffered from.

Neil Whitfield - lives in Clacton and has given voluntary service to Tendring for more than 20 years as a volunteer coastguard, supporting young people in performing arts and runs St Philomena's School Choir.

David Foster - a leading citizen who works tirelessly for the maintenance and enhancement of the Frinton Community. He does much of his work under the umbrella of Frinton in Bloom.

Alan Wiggins MBE - was Chairman of Clacton Carnival Committee for 30 years up until 2008 and was also treasurer of Tendring Community Voluntary Services for eight years.

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