Stars of Norfolk and Waveney 2017: The region unites to say thank you

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Overall Star of Norfolk 2017 winner Tracy Eves. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Often people's inspiring actions go unnoticed - but the Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards Night was an opportunity to make sure regional heroes got the credit they deserve.

Award winners were among more than 200 guests, made up of family and friends, who filled St Andrew's Hall in Norwich.

The audience clapped and cheered as each of the 14 category winners were announced.

Tracy Eves was named carer of the year and overall winner for the work she does at Meadow House nursing home, in Swaffham, where she goes beyond the call of duty to make sure the residents are happy.

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Overall Star of Norfolk 2017 winner Tracy Eves. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

The annual awards, which began taking nominations in May this year, celebrate the selfless and brave who have gone the extra mile for others and have had an extraordinary impact on their communities.

Other winners included the Broadland Specials and Russell Dagless, who stopped a van on the A47 with his lorry when the driver became unconscious, who collected prizes for the outstanding bravery they have shown.

David Powles, EDP editor-in-chief, said he was amazed by all the stories of work done by those in the region without asking for anything in return.

Mr Powles said: 'Stars is one of the nights that communities get to say 'thank you' to the people and teams who have made a difference in their lives.

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

'It was a wonderful opportunity to give a little something back to those who give so much.'

There was also a special recognition award and a judges' special award.

The recognition award went to Baileys Fish and Chip Show in Diss, which opened on Christmas Day 2016 to offer free meals to anyone who was alone during the festive season.

The judges' special award went to Rachel Crane, a breastfeeding support worker who volunteers in cafes to continue helping women after they have been discharged.

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

The awards were hosted by BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad.

The finalists were drawn from a pool of entries who were nominated by EDP readers.

The winners in each category.

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Overall Star Tracy Eves Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

• Carer of the Year Award - Tracy Eves

• Young Person of the Year Award - Nathan Shoesmith

• Outstanding Sporting Achievement of the Year Award - Serena Grace

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. David Powels presents Cengiz Bolat from Baileys Fish and Chip shop with a special recognition award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

• Community Group or Champion of the Year Award - Heather Edwards

• Outstanding Bravery of the Year Award - Russell Dagless

• Hospital/Ambulance Hero/Heroine of the Year Award - Samantha Jones

• Team of the Year Award - Norfolk Accident Rescue Service

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Unsung Hero ward winner James Kearns Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

• Search and Rescue Person of the Year Award - John Davies

• Fire Service Person of the Year Award - Michael Jolly

• Volunteer of the Year Award - Lewis Tibbs

• Unsung Hero/Heroine of the Year Award - James Kearns

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. The Broadland Specials, winners of the Police Person of the Year Award Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

• Police Person of the Year Award - Broadland Specials

• Special Recognition Award - Bailey's Fish and Chip Shop

• Judges Special Award -Rachael Crane

• Overall Winner - Tracy Eves

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. The Broadland Specials, winners of the Police Person of the Year Award Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Nathan Shoesmith winner of the Young Person of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Nathan Shoesmith winner of the Young Person of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Tracy Eves wins Carer of the Year. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Nick Conrad. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Young Person of the Year Award winner Nathan Shoesmith. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Young Person of the Year Award winner Nathan Shoesmith. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Nick Webb presents the Outsanding Sporting Achievement of the Year Award to Serena Grace. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Heather Edwards winner of the Commubity Champion of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Heather Edwards winner of the Commubity Champion of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Russell Dagless winner of the Outstanding Bravery Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Hospital/ Ambulance Hero/Heroine of the Year Award winner Samantha Jones sponsored by Kingsley Healthcare. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Hospital/ Ambulance Hero/Heroine of the Year Award winner Samantha Jones sponsored by Kingsley Healthcare. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. NARS, winners of the Team of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. NARS, winners of the Team of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. NARS, winners of the Team of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. John Davies winner of the Search and Rescue Person of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Lorne Green presents Michael Jolly with the Fire Service Person of the Year Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Lewis Tibbs (centre) wins the Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by Breckland council William N unn and Sam Chapman-Allen present the award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Rachael Crane winner of the Judges Special Award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Eastern Daily Press Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards ceremony 2017 at St Andrews Hall, Norwich. James Kearnes Unsung Hero of the Year Award winner. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)