Bro Radio's Community Awards 2026

Bro Radio celebrates Sixth Community Awards at Barry's Memo Arts Centre

Bro Radio brought the community together on Friday (5th) night as it celebrated the sixth annual Community Awards, sponsored by Victoria Park Mazda.

The ceremony marked a return to the Memo after two years at Penarth Pier Pavilion, with a full house honouring 39 finalists, nominated by the local community and representing business, the third sector, sport and community life in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Alongside the category winners, a Special Recognition Award was presented to Anthea Clements, in recognition of her 30 years of work, not only transforming and expanding the work of YMCA Barry, but also for supporting the development of other organisations, including Bro Radio, Major Music and Motion Control Dance, as well as the wider YMCA movement across Wales, the UK and internationally.

The event was hosted by Bro Radio Evening Show presenter Patrick Downes, returning for his sixth year, and Monday Lunchtime presenter Charley Greatrix, who first joined the station through the Bro Radio Academy in November 2025.

This year’s awards were supported by headline sponsor Victoria Park Mazda, alongside 12 category sponsors, with a pre-awards Welcome Networking Reception sponsored by United World Logistics.

2026 Community Awards Winners:

Young Person of the Year, sponsored by Fun Harbour: Jac Thomas

Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Cardiff and Vale College: Konnar Haynes, Palmerston Primary

The Bryan Foley Award, sponsored by Barry Town Council: Neil Murray, 11th Barry Scout Group

Heritage, Arts and Culture, sponsored by Mack Events: Penarth Pier Pavilion

Community Champion, sponsored by Thornton Travel: Katie Gooderham, Cadog’s Corner

Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Churchfields Home Care: Joshua Jones

Community Group of the Year, sponsored by Daniel Matthew Estate Agents: Vale of Glamorgan Project Linus

Sports Club of the Year, sponsored by Cardio Core Fitness: Barry Athletic Football Club

The Charity Award, sponsored by Enaid Accountancy: East Vale Community Transport

The John Lewis Community Event of the Year: Romilly Summer Festival - Rotary Club of Barry and District

Business of the Year, sponsored by CJCH Solicitors: Health Hwb

Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Rosedew Farm: Stacey Long - Hubbub Penarth

Triumph Over Adversity, sponsored by Specsavers: Ed Grant, Cancer Help in Local Lives

Awards host Patrick Downes said: “Every year I’m blown away by the passion, dedication and heart shown by people across the Vale. These awards remind us just how special our communities are, and it’s a privilege to help shine a light on those who give so much of themselves for others.”

 

 

Finalists announced for Bro Radio's Community Awards 2026

Bro Radio has announced the finalists for its 2026 Community Awards, as the station prepares to once again celebrate the very best of the Vale of Glamorgan.

Supported by new headline sponsor Victoria Park Mazda, the awards shine a spotlight on outstanding individuals, groups, businesses and organisations from right across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Now in its third consecutive year, the event will return to its original home at Barry’s Memo Arts Centre. Fancy joining us on Friday 5th June? Balcony tickets are available now via https://memoartscentre.co.uk/Shows/bro-radios-community-awards/

The awards have been supported by several other local businesses, who’ve sponsored individual categories, with support from Barry Town Council, Cardiff and Vale College, Cardio Core Fitness, Churchfields Home Care, CJCH Solicitors, Daniel Matthews Estate Agents, Enaid Accountancy, Fun Harbour, Mack Events, Rosedew Farm, Specsavers Barry and Thornton Travel.

Guests attending the ceremony in June will also enjoy a pre-awards networking, drinks and canapes reception sponsored by United World Logistics.

The 2026 Community Awards Finalists are:

Heritage, Arts and Culture sponsored by Mack Events

• Motion Control Dance
• Penarth Pier Pavilion
• Victorian Barry Experience

The Bryan Foley Award, sponsored by Barry Town Council

• Neil Murray - 11th Barry Scout Group
• Dave Nobbs - The Bridge Between Barry & The Gathering Place
• Jack Ollier - Beast Explorers and Tir Y Mor Youth District Commissioner

Business of the Year, sponsored by CJCH Solicitors

• Health Hwb Barry
• Little Legends Play Hub
• Poppins Daycare

Community Champion, sponsored by Thornton Travel

• Brenda Percy
• Katie Gooderham
• Sue Murray

The John Lewis Community Event of the Year

• Family Dance Festival - Motion Control Dance
• Romilly Summer Festival - Rotary Club of Barry and District
• The Easter Fayre - Friends of Victoria Park

Community Group of the Year, sponsored by Daniel Matthew Estate Agents

• Barry Rotary Club Memory Cafe
• Social Sisters
• Vale of Glamorgan Project Linus

Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Rosedew Farm

• Karean Carr - Little Link ID
• Stacey Long - Hubbub Penarth
• Theresa Goodwin-Harrison - True Aim Activities

Sports Club of the Year, sponsored by Cardio Core Fitness

• Barry Amateur Swimming Club
• Barry Athletic Football Club
• Barry Rugby Football Club

Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Cardiff and Vale College

• Cathryn Mullins - Ysgol Y Deri
• Konnar Haynes - Palmerston Primary
• Sam Griffiths - Ysgol Y Deri

The Charity Award, sponsored by Enaid Accountancy

• Cadog’s Corner Development Group
• East Vale Community Transport
• Eto Preloved Kids’ Store

Triumph Over Adversity, sponsored by Specsavers Bary

• Ed Grant
• Participants of the Survivor Photography Project - Vale Domestic Abuse Services
• Thomas Giles

Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Churchfields Homecare

• Barrie Dyer - Barry Round Table
• Joshua Jones - Cadogs Corner, 1st Barry Scouts, East Vale Community Transport & Barry District Rotary 
• Rita Limbrick - Cadoxton Youth Project

Young Person of the Year, sponsored by Fun Harbour

• Chloe Bates
• Jac Thomas
• Sam Thomas

Bro Radio Operations Director Nathan Spackman added, “The quality and number of entries have once again blown us away. In many of the categories, our judges had an extremely difficult job in scoring each entry against the category criteria. Well done to each of our 39 finalists. We can’t wait to showcase more of their work and celebrate their achievements at our ceremony in June.”

Now in its third consecutive year, the awards return to their original home at Barry’s Memo Arts Centre on Friday, 5th June 2026.