High Sheriff of Gwynedd Awards 2020

High Sheriff of Gwynedd 2019/20, Susan Jones, has recently been able to present her Awards at an informal ceremony held in Menai Bridge.

The original Awards evening, due to have been held at Bangor University, had to be cancelled at the last moment due to the pandemic. Recent easing of restrictions meant that the awards could finally be presented to projects, groups and individuals in front of a small invited audience.

Former High Sheriff, Susan Jones, was joined by Under-Sheriff, Gwilym Owen, members of the Gwynedd Crimebeat committee, and Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin.

The Caernarfon Dreamscheme, now known as Clwb y Cofis, was crowned as Project of the Year for 2020. The project, which is run by Adra and supported by local police officers, helps young people get involved in community projects on the Ysgubor Goch Estate in Caernarfon. Aaron Parry and Carwyn George from Adra together with Sergeant Non Edwards and PCSO Ieuan Owen received the award from the High Sheriff in recognition of the valuable work being done with young people in Caernarfon.

Clwb Y Cofis

Two other Crimebeat projects were also recognised with Highly Commended Awards:

Blooming Generations in Bala was developed by Alaw Paul of Gwynedd Youth Services following a conversation with PCSO Lona Davenport. Its aim is to prevent anti-social behaviour in the area and focus on stimulating an interest in voluntary work with young people. Alaw and her team worked with a group of around 15 young people to volunteer and take part in the project to learn about gardening and wildlife skills, and to create a safe place for the community.

Bodedern Poly-tunnel project was developed by Bodedern Youth Club, Youth Leader Iola Griffiths-Hughes and the Holyhead Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team following vandalism to the previous poly-tunnel and community garden area. The project offered local young the opportunity to build and maintain a new poly-tunnel. This continues to be maintained by the young people in the local area, giving them a sense of community pride. The project has also meant that young people have been able to use the facility as part of their educational development and learn new skills.

Bodedern Poly-tunnel Project

The High Sheriff also recognised the work of Sergeant Non Edwards from the Gwynedd Neighbourhood Policing Team. During her year in office the High Sheriff was able to accompany Sgt Edwards on duty to see for herself the work that is being done to protect local communities.

Sergeant Non Edwards

During the evening the High Sheriff 2019/20 was delighted to be able to present awards to volunteers she met during her year in office and thanked them for the selfless volunteering they each undertake in their communities.

Awards were given to the following:

Volunteer Police Cadets- Joshua Taylor and Sarah Goodsir in recognition of their commitment as Volunteer Police Cadets and being excellent role models for other young people.

Volunteer Police Cadet Joshua Taylor

Anglesey YFC members – Non Williams , Lois Williams, Llio Hughes and Elliw Griffith in recognition of volunteering work for the benefit of rural communities on Anglesey.

Anglesey YFC members

#BFF’S Llangoed – Mari Jones, Megan Roberts, Heledd Kotkowicz, Jessica Taylor and Delyth Jones in recognition of continued selfless volunteering in the community.

#BFF Llangoed

Llanfaes Youth – Callum Roberts, Jade Roberts and Milly Roberts in recognition of selfless volunteering with young people in their local community.

Maisy Fitzmaurice in recognition of her selfless actions and generous spirit.

Maisy Fitzmaurice

High Sheriff of Gwynedd 2019/20, Susan Jones, said: “I was delighted to be able to host this informal awards evening and finally have the opportunity to recognise projects and inspirational people that I met during my time as High Sheriff.

“Although my year in office came to end at the beginning of the pandemic these awards have enabled me to ensure my year as High Sheriff has concluded by recognising people who do so much valuable work in our communities”.