Jacqueline Gomes-Neves from Loughborough Junction, Lambeth’s first female youth mayor, was honoured as Lambeth’s young resident of the year in this year’s Lambeth council Community Pride Awards.
She was one of eight award winners at a Kia Oval event last week hosted by Black Cultural Archives vice-chair, barrister Miranda Brawn.
The Blog interviewed Jacqueline in 2014. She is now working as a political intern for Baron Balfe of Dulwich who as Richard Balfe was “trade union envoy” for the Conservative Party.
Other winners included Brixton Soup Kitchen as community organisation of the year.
Lambeth mayor Saleha Jaffer said th awards recognised the community spirit and drive of the people of the borough.
“I was delighted to note that this year we had a record number of nominations, with 165 entries and want to congratulate not only the winners from last night, but everyone involved,” she said.
Council leader Lib Peck said the awards were a highlight of Lambeth’s calendar because they showcased the range and extent of activity going in a dynamic borough.
Award winners and nominees
Best private garden
Winner: Cindy Kemp, street property
Sonia Cooper, Cressingham Gardens estate
Edwin Monteverde, Chalbury House, Edmundsbury Court estate
Mr & Mrs Morris, Jupiter Court, Caldwell Gardens estate
Best community garden
Winner: Ace of Clubs drop-in centre, Clapham
Edmundsbury Court Estate
Southwell Road Residents’ Garden
Best food growing project
Winner: Edmundsbury Court Estate
Loughborough farm
Lairdale Estate
Paradise Garden, Coade Court (Hyde Housing)
Resident of the year
Winner: Molly Sinclair
Andrew Chan Sing
Erica Tate
Bringing your neighbourhood together
Winner: Pat Broderick
George Richardson
Stephen Keogh
Innovation and Enterprise
Winner: Colin Crooks, Tree Shepherd
Waterloo Community Theatre CIC
Benjamin Ackim, Sport City London Ltd / Blackprint Legacy Foundation
Voluntary or community organisation of the year
Winner: Brixton Soup Kitchen
Whippersnappers
St Matthew’s Project
Young resident of the year
Winner: Jacqueline Gomes-Neves
Streetworks Project Team, Elmgreen School
Rianne Yeboah-Cornelius.
The judges
The private and community garden categories were judged by the London Garden Society
The food growing project was judged by Incredible Edible Lambeth
Judging panel for civic awards:
Chair: Councillor Saleha Jaffer, mayor of Lambeth
Rick Ogden, commander for Lambeth, London Fire Brigade
Nick Collins, representing the Metropolitan Police, Brixton
Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, lead member for community relations, Lambeth council
Councillor Scott Ainslie, Green Party, Lambeth council
Margaret Pierre, director, High Trees Community Development Trust
Charles Ijaz, representing South London Islamic Centre
The awards event was sponsored by Engie.