Sandra is our star citizen

Jamie MacDonald • Published 3 Mar 2010 16:02 0 Comments

CLACKMANNANSHIRE'S brightest stars gathered at Alva Academy on Thursday evening for the annual Citizen of the Year award ceremony.

The event recognises those individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to improving the community along with honouring the young people who have made their mark in sport and the arts.

The top accolade handed out on the night was the Citizen of the Year award, won by Sandra Gruar from Sauchie. Sandra was instrumental in starting the Active-8 group in the village three years ago and it now offers classes and activities to people of all ages in the community. Active-8 also brought back the Sauchie Gala following a 30 year gap.

Sandra told the Advertiser, "I'm over the moon. There really are so many good people doing good work in the community it really is a shock to win.

"It is good for the group to be recognised for the work being done and it isn't just me there are a lot of people, like Mary Brady, Shirley Allan, Willie McCubbin and Ian Douglas, who work with me."

The award caps off a week to remember for all those involved with Active-8.

"We have just learned that we have been granted funding from Fairer Scotland so we can continue for another year," said Sandra. "It has been a great week and we are looking forward to continuing our work in the community."

Categories such as Junior Sports Personality, School Team of the Year, Triumph Over Adversity, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Senior Sports Personality of the Year and Services to Sports were part of the Clackmannanshire Sports Council awards.

Equestrian vaulter Joanne Eccles (21), from Dollar, scooped the Senior Sports Personality of the Year award.

Having taken part in the sport since she was eight, Joanne won Great Britain's first ever vaulting gold medal at the 2009 European Championships in Sweden.

She said, "I'm delighted to win. I didn't know everyone who was in my category but when it was read out what they had done it was impressive and I was surprised to win."

Colin McLaren and Alan Harper received the Services to Sport award for their work at No Messin/Network Rail Wrestling Club in Tullibody.

Since the pair started the club five years ago members have quickly progressed to local and national titles. Two wrestlers at the club are currently in the British development squad.

Colin said, "It is good that what we are doing is being recognised and it feels like the hard work has been paying off."

Alan added, "The credit really goes to the wrestlers who have done so well. They are the ones who go out on the mats and take the punishment, or give it out."

Clackmannanshire Art Forum awards were presented in the areas of Visual or Craft, Performing, Music and Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.

An Enterprise in Education - Determined to Succeed award was given to BBC Radio Scotland for their work with Alva Academy as part of its Sound Town project. Over the course of the year Radio Scotland worked with the school on numerous radio projects. They also worked with the school on 'The Haggis' - a single that hit number one in the Scottish charts.

Senior content producer, Stephen Hollywood, said, "We were delighted to hear we had been nominated by Alva Academy. The high point would be working with the pupils and the biggest project was working on the single, it was like a fairytale the way it went all the way to number one.

"We weren't at the school every day, we gave the pupils the know how and it was them that did it and made it work."

Provost Derek Stewart was keen to praise the youngsters for their achievements.

He said, "We have some fantastic kids here in Clackmannanshire and there are many, many positive things happening here and that has been proven tonight.

"There is a real wealth of talent and it gives you a bit of pride to see our kids are doing well and many of them are representing their country."

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