Mayor’s Citizenship Awards celebrate the best of Bridgend County Borough

The unsung heroes of Bridgend County Borough have been recognised as part of this year’s Mayor’s Citizenship Awards, celebrating the incredible volunteers, fundraisers, and community champions who make a real difference to people’s lives.

From raising thousands of pounds for local charities, to teaching music, maintaining community spaces, installing defibrillators, and protecting the local environment, this year’s winners reflect the very best of the county borough.

The awards were presented by Cllr Heather Griffiths, Mayor of Bridgend County Borough for 2024/25 and her then deputy Cllr Huw David, who is currently Mayor for 2025/26. 

The winners are:

• Tim Arnott – Chair of Carn Rovers football club, who has built the club into a thriving community with more than 170 players, inspiring children and young people across the Garw Valley.

•  Adam Rhys Davies – An electrician who has given his time and expertise for free to install defibrillators across the Llynfi Valley, making it one of the best-protected areas in Wales for lifesaving equipment.

•  Stephen Leonard Jones – The friendly face behind Garth Community Garden, where he has cared for the grounds for more than a decade, ensuring the space is always a place of colour, peace, and remembrance.

•  Louise Williams – A Maesteg piano teacher whose passion for music has seen her pupils achieve a 100% exam pass rate, while also raising over £3,000 for local charities through well-attended concerts.

•  Neil Mitchington – A tireless fundraiser and pillar of the community, who has devoted decades to public service as well as supporting charities and local sport clubs. Kindness and compassion are at the heart of everything he does.

•  Neville Granville – A true champion of Cefn Cribwr’s heritage, who has spent more than 40 years preserving the area’s history and green spaces, including the Parc Slip Mining Disaster memorial.

•  Bridgend Music Service – For inspiring generations of young people through music, most recently taking local schools to perform at Birmingham Town Hall as part of the Music For Youth National Festival. The service provides an inclusive community where young people have access to a safe space and the opportunity to socialise with other young people.

•  Doug McCarthy – Alongside his late friend Phil Arkinsall, Doug established the Six Bells Pub Quiz in Coity, which has raised thousands of pounds for good causes while bringing the community together every week since 2011. He has also been active in Coity life for many years supporting its many varied events.

• Paula Lunnon – A dedicated volunteer at KPC Youth in Pyle for 25 years, helping to keep the centre’s doors open and ensuring young people always have a safe, welcoming place to turn to.

•  A Peace for Nature- The group has brought volunteers together to remove thousands of tyres and waste from the River Ogmore, creating a cleaner, safer space for the public and wildlife.

Nominations for the next round of Mayor’s Citizenship Awards are scheduled to open later this year. More information will be released in due course.