18 | Aycliffe Today Business
John Clare receives his Aycliffe Ambassador award from Aycliffe Business Park Community chair Kerina Clark.
‘ You are our future’
– Aycliffe Ambassador Clare thanks businesses
Local councillor John Clare thanked businesses after he was awarded a special Aycliffe Ambassador award during the third Make Your Mark ceremony on Aycliffe Business Park.
Cllr Clare was handed the gong for his outstanding contribution to the business park at the end of the awards presentation, held at the Xcel Centre.
“ It’ s a total surprise and I’ m humbled,” he said.
“ There are people in this room who have done so much for the community, so to find myself here is a total shock.”
He then told guests:“ I think of myself as a representative of the people, so on their behalf can I just say … you put the bread and butter on our tables, you are the future – not just for Aycliffe, but for County Durham.
“ On your shoulders rest the future of our children. You are so important to us. We can’ t think of going into the future without you building and growing and working.
“ Thank you so much to you and all you do. You’ re so much appreciated.”
For the first time, the new Aycliffe Business Park Community( ABPC) board decided to create the new Aycliffe Ambassador award to recognise the outstanding contribution an individual has made to Aycliffe Business Park and Newton Aycliffe.
Before handing over the award, ABPC chair Kerina Clark told guests:“ He has been a prolific advocate of Aycliffe Business Park.
“ He is extremely active on social media – Facebook and Twitter in particular – and is the first to“ talk up” Aycliffe Business Park, to shout about our success stories and to make a hugely-positive impact on the thousands of people who follow him.
“ Whenever he talks, he exudes passion, positivity and patriotism for Aycliffe.
“ He has indeed made an outstanding contribution to Aycliffe Business Park, not only in the last year but over the last number of years.”
Meanwhile, fourth generation family firm PWS which manufactures kitchen components was named Aycliffe Business Park’ s Company of the Year during Make Your Mark.
The award was presented by John Finley, managing director of steel firm Finley Structures, which won the same recognition last year and sponsored it this time around.
PWS, which employs 300 people across its sites on Aycliffe Business Park, is a market leader in the design and supply of quality