Bexhill Achievers - your nominations

Steve Ayres, chairman of Bexhill Regeneration Partnership's town centre and tourism action group has been nominated for the Making Bexhill Better award.

Steve nomination reads: "He has whole-heartedly committed himself to Making Bexhill Better.

"I first saw this when owning a business in the same road - Devonshire Road.

"He has tirelessly fought for the local traders and had been innovative in implementing new ideas to try and rejuvenate the town.

"The high standard he expects not only from others but also himself in my opinion make him an ideal candidate for the Making Bexhill Better award."

Bexhill Voluntary Day Centres organiser Jill Halsall has been nominated for the Community award by former chairman Flora Holt.

Mrs Holt says: "Jill has worked selflessly for over 14 years for the Bexhill Voluntary Day Centres for the Elderly - cooking weekly for one centre, running it too when the organiser was ill or away, being instigator of many events, fund-raising etc.

"She has also been administrator of Bexhill Caring Community, which in her time has gone from strength to strength, helping the people of Bexhill, putting them in touch with various services, introducing a dial-a-ride, a bath services - delivery of a seat to enable the disabled to enjoy a real bath - library and tape service, helping with the complicated forms relating to Attendance Allowance, visiting the elderly and disabled folk and gaining help for them.

"In general, for many years Jill has been an invaluable help to people in Bexhill and the area - in my opinion - very deserving of Best Community Achiever."

Last year's Sporting winners Bexhill Rowing Club have bettered their previous achievement.

"Back in 2000, Bexhill Rowing Club had the most successful year that the current members could remember, winning two championships and finishing second in the league.

"There was no way that the club could expect to reach such heights for a while.

"That being said now sounds silly. The year 2001 was, by far, the best in history for Bexhill Rowing Club.

"The club itself walked away with three championship titles, the CARA League title and the CARA Grand Aggregate title, never before achieved by this club.

"First were the novices with a convincing win in the Novice Fours. However, it was the juniors who provided the backbone of success with constant victories in the Junior Fours and Junior Pairs events, leading to their much-deserved championship titles in both classes.

"Mark built on his success in the Junior Sculls in 2000, to win all but one race in the senior sculls, crowning him championship status (one of only five ever to win back-to-back titles in sculling history).

"Mark and his twin reigned supreme in the final two regattas, clinching key victories in the Senior Pairs events.

"To top the season off, the Senior Men's four won the South Coast Championship Regatta Open senior four event.

"To win both League and Grand Aggregate trophies really does demonstrate the club effort that makes Bexhill Rowing Club so strong. It is the overall team spirit of all its members and their dedication to training and representing their town that has enabled Bexhill Rowing Club to compete at the highest levels in coastal rowing and come out the best club in the south."

Fifteen year-old Kayleigh Gray has been nominated for Young Achiever Award.

Kayleigh suffers from Achondroplasia (short stature). She is now 3ft 8ins tall and until 12 months ago used a wheelchair for any sizeable distance she had to travel.

"She has had three major operations since 1999, missing in total over two months of schooling.

"Despite her disability, Kayleigh is taking six GCSEs and GNVQ in business and finance.

"She works in the school's marketing department during PE lessons and at lunchtimes and after school.

"In that role she has shown a great capability in desk-top publishing, filming and retail work in the school shop.

"She was a prime organiser in the recent school talent show, despite being unable to take place personally

"Kayleigh is incredibly positive and is always smiling. Despite her disability, and resulting absences, she has continued to succeed with her work, both in lessons and out, in a large comprehensive school.

"She is extremely popular in the school and a motivation to many who are physically more able.

"The achievement of a normal active live is not one we normally see as extraordinary. In Kayleigh's case, however, it is and the cheerful and positive demeanour she carries multiplies the effect and gains her admiration from the whole school community."

Bexhill Lighting and Gift Centre in Sea Road has been nominated for Best Customer Service Award.

"My wife and I have been customers of Mr and Mrs Kentfield for many years and have watched the business grow and extend from that of lighting and electrical contracting to what it is today.

"Following extensions to the premises, it is now in our opinion, one of the best lighting and gift centres in the area.

"The service we have received, both from the proprietors and members of their staff has, and continues to be, first class.

"They have always been most willing to offer advice on the goods offered for sale, not necessarily recommending the more expensive, but endeavouring to meet our requirements. In addition, they have been most helpful in researching goods likely to suit us and obtaining them specially for us.

"The way elderly members of the public have been treated in a kind and understanding manner has impressed me on many occasions, when visiting the shop.

"It cannot be easy always to explain to an elderly widow that her treasured lamp has now gone beyond repair."