AWARDS NEWS
Second National Drainage Awards a roaring success
The National Drainage Awards, sponsored by Whale, which were held at Excel on Wednesday 27th November have received rave reviews from those that attended. The Awards, in their second year, were located in the Hall next door to the National Drainage Show at Excel (and sponsored by the Show’s organisers Indigo Media) to make it really easy for those visiting the Show to attend the Awards. This, combined with the great success of the First Awards at Charlton Athletic Football Club in 2023, resulted in a 40%+ increase in the number coming to this year’s Awards with over 320 attendees sitting down to Dinner.
The evening started off with a Pre-Dinner Drinks reception sponsored by Mantair, before everyone took their seats for introductory speeches by NADC Honorary Life President Peter Stacey, and Julian Wynn, Chair of the Association. There then followed one of the highlights of the evening as Harry Redknapp, the star attraction came to the stage to the backdrop of ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ and took part in an interview session with host for the evening Jed Stone. Harry was as amusing and entertaining as ever sharing several anecdotes from his time as a player at West Ham and as manager of several teams, as well as from his time in ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’, of which he was of course the winner.
Dinner followed, and all those present commented on the quality of the food and the excellence of the service which helped to keep the evening on track. The Awards followed to much table thumping and cheers and the winners came to the stage for the presentation and photographs to great applause
26 | January 2025 |
draintraderltd.com
as their names were read out by the sponsors. A full list of the Award winners can be found elsewhere in this edition of Drain Trader.
There Awards in particular merit a mention at this point. First of all the Lifetime Achievement Award made to Peter Walker from Innovation Group who was selected from a very strong short list of candidates. Then there was the Posthumous Award for Ray Smith, which was presented in a moving tribute by Peter Stacey, Honorary Life President of NADC. And the crowning Award was a new category called the Founders Award, made to Peter Stacey in recognition of all he has done towards the creation of NADC, which has become the established industry trade body. Peter will be invited to select the winner of the Award each year going forward.
After the Awards, another highlight of the evening followed as representatives from the Ringside Charitable Trust were introduced. The Trust, the Awards chosen charity for the evening, brought with them a number of famous boxing champions, including ex World Title Holders John Conteh, John H Stracey and Duke McKenzie as well as other British, Commonwealth and European Champions. John Conteh than came to the stage to auction off boxing memorabilia which raised over £5,000 for the Trust which will go towards care of ex boxers with pugilistic dementia.
As the auction ended, Jed, who did his usual great job as compere, thanked FM Conway for sponsoring the entertainment and TWD for sponsoring the wine and drinks with Dinner.
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