A MAJOR awards ceremony celebrated the community champions of Bolton.

The fourth annual Bolton Diversity Awards were held at the Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa in Bromley Cross, on Thursday, in recognition of the individuals and groups who have committed themselves to promoting diversity.

Awards were presented to the Johnson Fold Estate, The Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Bagpipe Band, The Kearsley Mount Wesley Guild and dancer Monica Ballani, with a Special Achievement Award presented to Tony Walton, the vice- chairman of the Respect Counselling project.

The APNA News-organised awards were hosted by events director Reena Chauhan and BBC’s Fusion food chef Aazam Ahmed, with entertainment provided by a dancing lion from the Chinese Buffet Restaurant, Monica Ballani, and the spectacular bagpipe band, who won the Black and Asian Achievement Award for their involvement in breaking down barriers.

The main speaker was head of equality and diversity for the North-west Development Agency, Evelyn Asante-Mensah, who paid tribute to Barack Obama’s American election victory. She said: “What does it mean for us?

“I think we are many, many years away from having a British Barack Obama. However, I do believe we are moving forward here in Bolton. The NWDA is a very different place from when I started working here 12 months ago, and Barack Obama’s win has made us all believe in the impossible.”

Young dancers from the Johnson Fold Express Group performed, and Carol Warburton, Wendy Collins, Denise McElroy and Marion Jackson collected an award for community work on the estate.

The Kearsley Mount Wesley Guild received their award for breaking barriers between faith, by inviting other religious communities to their church and visiting mosques, temples and synagogues, as well as donating money to charities all over the world. Sybil Sneyd and Eileen Beardshaw collected the award, saying: “The Wesley Guild has tried its very best to contribute to understanding diversity over the years, and we are now collectively calling ourselves The Churches on the Mount.”

About his award, Tony Walton said: “I believe in valuing and respecting people, and I am really honoured to be here tonight and really did not expect this to happen.”

Money raised from the event, which was sponsored by NWDA, Bolton at Home, Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Community Homes, will be split between the Mayor of Bolton’s charity and Children in Need.