THE Dunfermline Press and Central Fife Times were delighted to host the return of our Community Champion Awards at the Glen Pavilion last Thursday.

It was an incredible night that was filled with emotion and inspiration from the first moment to the last.

Jemma Thomas, of Crossgates Primary School, was named our Champion Teacher of the Year, and we had five Little Champions of the Year – Liam Taylor, Lola Stevenson, Jamie Tierney, Freddie Settle, Luca Kobelt.

Bowhill Miners Boxing Club star Niamh Mitchell picked up the award for Sporting Champion of the Year, while Dunfermline Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) were the winners in the Youth Community Champion category sponsored by Stagecoach.

The Health & Care Award – new for 2023 – was won by Kenny Armour and James Scade, of Andy’s Man Club; Boards for Bairns received the Young Enterprise Champion of the Year award sponsored by TechnipFMC; the Entrepreneurial Award went to Robyn Drummond Fitness; and Dave Roper – perhaps better known as 'Duloch Spiderman' – was named Charity Champion of the Year.

The Live Music Award went to Kirsten Adamson, who opened and closed the ceremony with performances on stage. The evening also included performances by the other finalists in this category – Eve Hind Davidson, 12-year-old Noah Brotherton, who received a special commendation, and Moonlight Zoo.

Perhaps the most popular winners on the night were the volunteers of Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park who collected the Community Champion of the Year award sponsored by Bandrum Nursing Home; while singer Billy Reekie received the Heart of Gold award sponsored by Fife Council.

There were also two special presentations at the end of the ceremony.

A Judges Award was presented to the volunteer organisers of the hugely-popular Outwith Festival in Dunfermline; and a Special Recognition for Services to the Community award went to Sarah Yorke.