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Jim Parker: A special place where people are doing special things
It has been a smashing few days, all about the good things happening in the Bay and the good people who make those good things happen
Reporter:
Jim Parker
20 Jun 2024 1:29 PM
It has been a smashing few days, all about the good things happening in the Bay and the good people who make those good things happen.
Take the Torbay Weekly Business Awards for starters. Okay, I'm biased but I hope many will agree it was a night of celebration and inspiration as 300 people headed for the English Riviera Centre to salute and recognise those businesses and individuals who have shown resilience and determination to bring success to their companies, groups, organisations and to the Bay amid some of the most challenging times.
Tech mixed with tourism, community with corporate as the resort's business and community sectors united.
Paignton-based firm Spirent Communications walked away with the Overall Business of the Year award for their pioneering, global-leading work.
It was an absolute honour and privilege to present the Torbay Weekly Lifetime Achievement Awards for contributions to business and the community to Chris Hart and Lionel Digby respectively.
Chris has done so much for his own legal profession and his Wollens law firm over the years but also much more besides for business and the community generally. The only downside is that he is a West Ham United supporter but I suppose we all have our crosses to bear.
Lionel, again where do you start? Businessman, entrepreneur, music promoter, war veterans champion and a true character and still going strong at 89 (not 87).
Huge congrats to both superstars.
New Torquay United chairman Michael Westcott and his Number Two Mark Bowes-Cavanagh spoke with passion about their plans for a new future at Plainmoor.
Stagecoach SW managing director Peter Knight also used the moment when presenting the Greener Futures Award to announce a massive £25 million investment in the Bay which will see our entire bus fleet electrified. An electrifying moment for an electrifying evening.
Then just when you thought it couldn't get any better it did when TEAM GB announced their gymnasts squad for the Olympics and it included young Paignton teenager Abi Martin.
The 16-year-old Paignton Academy pupil has been dreaming of a place in the world-famous Games ever since she was a little girl. Now that dream has come true for Abi, who has done her mum and family, her South Devon School of Gymnastics, coach Rachel, Wignall and the entire English Riviera proud.
Her selection is also a massive vote of confidence in a special fund set up by Torbay Council in partnership with Sport Torbay a few years ago. The Believe to Achieve pot is aimed at helping our more elite sports people achieve their dreams. Abi benefited from the grant funding and has done just that.
You know, all this success and great vibes from the stage of the ERC to the flame of the Olympic Games got me thinking - what a special place we live in with special people doing special things and just how much more special it could be if everybody pulled in the same direction, there was no needless moaning and groaning, delaying and just a united desire to reach for the stars and go for gold - just like inspirational Abi Martin.
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