10 April 2008.
A
grant set up to celebrate a local council's centenary in 1984 will this week make its 25
th award.
Harrogate Borough Council set up this Centenary Grant funding stream to help local aspiring artistes and sporting stars of the future.
Awards are made annually and on Friday (11 April), the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Councillor Cliff Trotter, will present cheques to 33 talented young people.
This will bring the total number of recipients since the fund started to 515.
Councillor Cliff Trotter, who has spent much of his spare time helping young sporting enthusiasts, says this ceremony will give him special pleasure.
"There is so much talent out there among our young people.
Many of them are already competing at national level.
And I am amazed at the range of disciplines we have received nominations from.
As well as singers, musicians and performing artistes, we have young people competing at indoor rowing, basketball, athletics, tennis, cricket, karate, rugby, downhill mountain bike racing, climbing, sailing, triathlon and the one closest to my heart, football!
"Last year, 10 year-old clarinettist, saxophonist and piano player, Samuel Gillespie, became our youngest recipient. I am glad he is back this year as an 11 year-old.
"I sincerely hope that these small cash awards will help these talented young people as well as their families who put so much into supporting their children.
I wish them all well."
The 2008 recipients are: Kieran McGowan, Benjamin Moorhouse, Jack Mc Bride, Alasdair Holden, Melissa Finlay, Lucy Wood, Samantha Towers, Jack Laugher, Nathan Pickard, Nicola Gill, Lucy Buxton, Thomas Warren, Hayley Budimir, Leonie Chan, Jordan Emsley, Charles Edmondson, Hugo Govett, Ewan Byers, Laura Mercer, Peter Sedgewick, Nicola Dunn, Matthew Pilmoor, Eleanor Rymer, Katherine Coupland, Emily Dunne, Leala David, Jonathon Wheeler, Bronwen Rose Morris, Samuel Gillespie, Alexander Richardson, Chloe Ward, Chloe Wright, Elliot Drew.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
12.50 pm Friday, 11 April, Council Chamber, Harrogate Borough Council.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager on 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk