Felixstowe took top honours as the city's most active town in a prestigious awards ceremony.

Mayor Sharon Harkin was on hand to receive the prize after the resort's sheer extent and diversity of opportunities available in Felixstowe for people to be active was given as the reason why the town was recognised.

Winners and their guests gathered at The Food Museum in Stowmarket on Tuesday 20th September at the presentation evening of the 2022 Suffolk Community Awards.

The event recognised the outstanding contributions from 13 individuals and organisations representing young people, community buildings and volunteers as well as initiatives that have contributed to creating the most active communities and village and town of the year.

The awards are a partnership between Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Association of Local Councils. Their purpose is to celebrate and recognise the huge contribution that groups, individuals, town and parish councils make to the overall quality of life in communities across the length and breadth of Suffolk.

Christine Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Suffolk, said "the CAS awards celebrate and recognise those who 'go the extra mile' and make positive contributions to their community."

Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils, added "these awards provide an opportunity to showcase and applaud organisations and individuals who step up and make a real difference across our County."

Cllr Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, said: "Wherever you go in Suffolk, there are towns and villages doing amazing things to help and support their residents to be active and stay active. The huge contribution their efforts make to the health, wellbeing and resilience of people of all ages often goes unnoticed and unrecognised let alone celebrated. I'm delighted that the Community Awards throws a light on this hugely important aspect of Suffolk life and the impact it has."

Compere Mark Murphy, BBC Radio Suffolk, added "I have always said we don't shout loud enough when it comes to all the hard work individuals and groups put into making Suffolk a great place to live. I was proud to be involved in presenting these awards to these unsung heroes and it was a great idea to bring them together into one event."

The Most Active Community Awards were scooped by Honington cum Sapiston (Most Active Village) and Felixstowe (Most Active Town). Honington cum Sapiston were praised by judges for the large number of opportunities for participation and volunteering in a such a small community whilst the sheer extent and diversity of opportunities available in Felixstowe for people to be active was given as the reason why the town was recognised.

Full List of SUFFOLK COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS 2022

Community Action Suffolk Community Awards

Colonel Probert Award: Quiet Lanes (Volunteers)

Ian Campbell MBE Award: Graeme Woodcock

Village Hall & Community Building Award: The Coddenham Centre

Suffolk Association of Local Councils Town and Village of the Year Awards

Small Village of the Year: Bredfield (Highly commended: Harleston)

Town of the Year: Carlton Colville

Community Action Suffolk Children and Young People Awards

Andrew Towers Award: Joint winners – Connor Blowers and Jordan Prior

Roddy Macleod Award: Lowestoft Boxing Academy

Anne Dunford OBE Award: Student Life

Suffolk's Most Active Community Awards

Most Active Village of the Year: Honington cum Sapiston

Most Active Town of the Year: Felixstowe

Community Action Suffolk Volunteering Awards

Event Organiser of the Year: Suffolk Environmental Projects

Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award: Joint winners – Annie Bowen-Wright and Ann Lockwood

Suffolk Good Neighbour Award: Melton Good Neighbour Scheme

[Photo: Most Active Community Award winners Honington cum Sapiston and Felixstowe pictured with Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities at Suffolk County Council. Credit: PagePix]