TOWN COUNCIL CELEBRATES NEWBURY’S LOCAL HEROES
The Annual Newbury Town Civic Awards presentation took place on Friday 20th March 2026 at St Nics Church Hall. The awards presented included the Newbury Town Civic Award, the Young Person’s Civic Award, the Business Civic Award, the Environmental Contribution Award, and the Local Community Group Civic Award.
The awards celebrate Newbury’s unsung heroes - individuals who go above and beyond to make an outstanding voluntary contribution to the local community.
The Mayor of Newbury, Cllr David Harman, said: “We were truly inspired by the number and quality of nominations received this year. Each nominee has shown remarkable dedication and commitment to supporting others. The breadth of nominations highlights the strength of community spirit in Newbury and the many people who generously give their time and energy to make a positive difference.”
The winner of the Newbury Town Civic Award 2026 was Catherine Hamblin.
Cath was selected by the judges for her extraordinary dedication to the Newbury Soup Kitchen, where she has volunteered every week for the past nine years. She continues to serve with warmth, kindness, and unwavering commitment, welcoming clients with a smile and genuine care. Known and loved by all, Cath treats everyone with dignity and respect, bringing comfort and stability to those who rely on the service. Alongside her weekly role, she supports fundraising efforts and helps ensure the smooth running of the kitchen. Her compassion, dedication, and tireless service make her a truly inspiring winner.
The winner of the Newbury Town Young Person’s Civic Award was Oscar Tibbels.
Recognised for his exceptional dedication as a young volunteer within the local community. 16-year-old Oscar generously gives his time to support the Juniors Holiday Club at the Waterside Centre, where he assists staff, engages enthusiastically with children, and helps lead group activities. He also volunteers with the Mix Group for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, offering thoughtful support with activities, communication, and emotional regulation in a kind and encouraging manner. Oscar consistently shows maturity, initiative, and reliability well beyond his years, making a meaningful and lasting impact on both young people and staff. A truly deserving winner.
The Newbury Town Local Community Group Civic Award was presented to the Bingo Buddies.
Caroline and Cindy founded the Bingo Buddies in 2022, bringing people together through community bingo while raising funds for local causes. In just over three years, they have raised more than £14,000 and continue to support those in need across Newbury and Thatcham, including local charities, care homes, and food banks. They also provide essential items for the homeless, making a real difference to people’s lives. Guided by their simple aim to make others happier and life a little easier, they are truly deserving winners.
The winner of the Newbury Town Business Civic Award was UHY Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants.
For over 40 years, UHY Ross Brooke has been at the heart of the Newbury community, going beyond business to give back with genuine commitment. Their team supports a wide range of local initiatives - from community events and environmental projects to fundraising challenges and charitable outreach. They also invest in young people through work experience, placements, and career guidance. With a dedicated team and a strong community spirit, they lead by example - making Newbury a stronger, more connected town.
The winner of the Newbury Town Environmental Contribution Award was Charmaine Buckley.
Charmaine was recognised for her outstanding commitment to sustainability and community impact through her eco-friendly salon. As part of the Green Salon Collective, she ensures all salon waste is recycled, preventing landfill and supporting charities such as Haircuts4Homeless, FoodCycle, and tree-planting initiatives. She also offers free haircuts for the Little Princess Trust, donating hair to support those in need, and educates clients on innovative recycling - providing hair cuttings for use in gardening. Her salon even features a book swap to encourage reuse. Charmaine’s creativity, generosity, and dedication to sustainability make her a deserving winner.
All nominees were invited to the presentation evening, where each was recognised and presented with a certificate celebrating their achievements. The winners were awarded a trophy, along with having their names engraved on the Town Hall’s perpetual awards.
The Mayor of Newbury, Councillor David Harman congratulated all the nominees for their outstanding achievements. Special thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination, helping to recognise these truly deserving people.
Click here for a full list of the nominations for 2026.
Contact:
Jo Aylott, Civic Services Manager mayor@newbury.gov.uk
