Best of the borough

THE best of the borough's sporting talent, from local heroes to world champions, was honoured for their annual achievements on Saturday night.

The third Vale Royal Sports Council Awards, at Winsford Civic Hall, was the biggest yet, with over 300 sportsmen and women, plus guests and club representatives, celebrating the best of 2001.

VRSC member and one of the organisers Andy Brittles said: "This is the biggest turnout we've had, the awards are getting bigger and more pretigious by the year."

Here, we focus on the winners and runners-up from Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich in each of the five categories:

The Ken Riddock Trophy -

for long standing service

KEN and Mary Ayrton have formed a perfect partnership over the years and this has been of great benefit to Winsford Flash Sailing Club.

The husband and wife team have been members for 50 years, during which they have sailed together in club, national and international events, both in this country and abroad.

Ken is now 75, yet still sails regularly, and they have both completed more races in the Flash than any other member of the club. At 70, Ken won the prestigious Heineken Pursuit Trophy in Ireland.

The runner-up award was jointly presented to Mike Palfreyman and Mike Leith. Palfreyman, from Northwich Rowing Club, started rowing in 1974 and has not only won regional events as a sculler but has transformed Northwich RC and guided the juniors to the title of Britain's most successful club, with the most wins in 1999 as their coach.

Leith represents the Frodsham and District Primary School Sports Association, and has been actively promoting sport for more than 20 years.

This award also recognised a second runner-up place due to the quality of applications, and this was presented to Theresa Girdham for her work at Willow Wood County Junior School, who has been their sports co-ordinator for 17 years.

The Chairman Trophy -

for junior achievement

NORTHWICH rower Matthew Langridge gave the town a world champion with his outstanding performance in the men's single sculls.

This was Britain's first gold single sculling medal in the World Junior Championships and he was a clear winner of the VRSC awrad.

Matthew also achieved a further five major wins in 2001, including the Munich Junior International Regatta, the National Schools Championship of Great Britain (junior and senior, in which he beat Olympic champion Tim Foster), the British Junior Rowing Indoor Championship and he was a member of the winning Leander crew in the Four Head of the River Race, beating more Olympic gold medallists in Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell.

Unfortunately Matthew was unable to pick up his award on the night as he was away on a training camp, but his club captain and parents were there to receive it on his behalf.

The Vale Royal Trophy -

for adult achievement

DANNY Buxton won for his achievements in motor racing, including winning the ELF Renault Clio Cup 2001.

He was the first driver in the north west to achieve such success after being the youngest driver to win the XR2 Fiesta Challenge Championship.

Danny races best in front of his home crowd at the Oulton Park circuit and many of his supporters were there on the night.

Runner-up was Lydia Morgan, who won the Cheshire County Championship in junior ladies for both discus and shot put.

The Vale Royal athlete was also Cheshire Schools champion, third in the English Schools Championships and won the Schools Inter-area Championships, all in discus.

The Harry Mooney Trophy -

for team achievement

CHESHIRE Penguins Swimming Club took the prize after winning 19 gold, 15 silver and eight bronze medals in the National Olympic Games in Cardiff last summer.

The runners-up were double scullers Liam Evans and Alec Palfreyman for winning the Inter-regional Rowing Championships and taking gold at the National Schools Regatta and National Championships of Great Britain.

The Business After Hours Trophy -

for overall contribution

GRAHAM Moore was honoured for his pioneering work in steering a steady course for the champion golfers of tomorrow.

He established the world's first junior golf club, including the Tiger Club for three to seven-year-olds.

Graham has increased its membership to 114 since its inception in April 2001, and spends many hours co-ordinating club organisation work.

The Millennium Volunteer programme also recognised Chris Travis, a winner of the Business After Hours Trophy from last year, for achieving 200 hours of volunteering in sport.

Chris mainly works with the ju jitsu club at Rudheath Leisure Centre, but also works at other venues in the county.

M

ayor of Vale Royal, Cllr Nick Harris,made the presentation for the Vale Royal Trophy and speeches were made by Ritchie Barber, a swimming silver medallist from the Sydney Paralympics 2000, Graeme Bristow, last year's winner of the Vale Royal Trophy, and John Byrne from Sport Cheshire.

Alan Badder, chairman of Vale Royal Sports Council, led the evening's celebration of sport which also included demonstrations by Weaverham Gymnastics Club and Northwich Ju Jitsu Club.

The evening's entertainment was completed with a performance by local Winsford band Milestone who are soon to release their first album.

For further information on the sports council ring Elly McFahn at Vale Royal Borough Council on 01606 867548 or secretary Kneale Barber on 01606 48425.