Individuals, teams, groups, charities and communities were honoured and applauded, in an occasion jointly staged by Community Action Suffolk (CAS), Suffolk County Council (SCC) and Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC). A total of 15 awards were presented on the night, following a summer of judging which saw a haul of 162 nominations painstakingly assessed by representatives from the trio of organising bodies.

The accolades were collated into five different categories on the night - CAS Community Awards, SALC Town and Village of the Year Awards, CAS Children and Young People Awards, Suffolk's Most Active Community Awards, and CAS Volunteering Awards. Below a list of the 2023 winners:

Colonel Probert Award: Winner -Compassionate Companions

Ian Campbell MBE Award: Winner - Jean Evans

Village Hall & Community Building Award: Winner - Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre

The Faith Award: Winner - Red Lodge Lightwave

SALC Town and Village of the Year Awards

Small Village of the Year: Winner - Cockfield

Highly commended: Bucklesham and Theberton & Eastbridge

Large Village of the Year: Joint Winners - Kessingland and Thurston

Town of the Year: Winner - Sudbury

Highly commended: Stowmarket and Kesgrave

CAS Children & Young People Awards

Andrew Towers Award: Winner - Rosie Burl

Roddy Macleod Award: Winner - CYDS

Anne Dunford OBE Award: Winner - Inspire team - Naomi Morgan, Keith Mcdowell and Alex Worne

Suffolk's Most Active Community Awards

Most Active Village: Winner - Coddenham

Most Active Town: Winner - Mildenhall

CAS Volunteering Awards

Suffolk Good Neighbour Award: Winner - Acton GNS

Event Organiser of the Year: Winner - Ipswich Junior Parkrun core team

Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award: Winner - Kelly Bennett

Cllr Katie Graham, East Suffolk Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, was one of the judges assigned the challenging task of selecting winners. She said "We are thrilled to have been able to honour so many wonderful projects, individuals and organisations for their great work in the community.  The ceremony is always an emotional but wonderful celebratory occasion and we extend our best wishes to every single winner."

Chris Abraham, CEO of CAS, said "An occasion like this is so important for Suffolk, as it really shines the spotlight on the great work being carried out by so many volunteers across their communities. Congratulations to everyone on their award."

Event photos will be available to view on the dedicated Suffolk Community Awards website very soon. Click on this link to visit the website.

Great coverage in the East Anglian Daily Times too - use this link to view.