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