Awards evening continues to celebrate the Best of Brandon

The spirit of unity and achievement shone brightly at the annual Best of Brandon Awards, held on Friday 28th March.

Now in its sixth year, this prestigious event honours the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations to the Brandon community.

Awards were presented across five categories: Group, Business, Young Achiever, Volunteer, and Lifetime Achievement.

The evening, hosted at Breckland School, began with a live performance by Kim Carey, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.

The first awards recognised groups whose teamwork has had a meaningful impact on the town. Brandon Creative Forum claimed the top prize, while Brandon Brownies & Guides and Brandon Day Centre were named runners-up.

In the business category, Brandon Chiropractic took home the award, with Brandon School of Dance and Brandon Royal British Legion earning the well-deserved runner-up spots.

With a brief intermission announced, guests helped themselves to a quick bite from the buffet provided by Edwards & Brown Catering. This pause gave nominees a valuable opportunity to catch up with one another before stepping back into the spotlight for the remaining presentations.

Introduced for the first time last year, the Young Achiever category celebrated outstanding students nominated by each of Brandon’s three schools – Glade Academy, Forest Academy, and Breckland School.

Florence Tanner, Tina Sinapova and William Tyson were all honoured for their exceptional achievements both in and out of the classroom.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Volunteer and Lifetime Achievement awards, recognising individuals whose dedication and commitment have left a lasting impact on the community.

Katy Loxton was named winner of the Volunteer Award, with Alan Chapman and Alan Rodwell receiving the runners-up trophies.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jackie Challiss by Mark Skinner, highlighting the significance of her lifelong contributions to the town. Glynis Clawson and Peter Ridgwell secured the runner-up positions. Unfortunately Peter Ridgwell was unable to attend, so Cllr Victor Lukaniuk was asked to collect the award on his behalf.

Terry Hawkins, who organises the event alongside Lianne Spooner and Gary Brocklehurst, said: “These awards are a testament to the commitment and dedication of the community here in Brandon.

“It’s fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate those who make such incredible contributions to our town.

“The Best of Brandon Awards not only recognise past achievements but also inspire continued efforts towards building a stronger and more inclusive community for generations to come.”

A full gallery of photos from this year and previous years can be viewed at www.bestofbrandon.co.uk. This is also where nominations for the 2026 awards can be submitted once entries open later this year.