2004 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Published: 12/11/2004

Yorkshire greats from the field of showbiz, sport, the arts and business are honoured in a glittering Yorkshire Awards presentation ceremony, held at YTV studios in Leeds tonight (12/11/04).

The Awards, organised and run by The Yorkshire Awards Committee are now in their 16th anniversary year and involve some of the regions leading companies and organisations. With the help of the Yorkshire public, the Committee named those outstanding individuals whose examples act as inspiration to anyone with the interests of Yorkshire at heart. There are seven 2004 Yorkshire Awards winners:

1st Award
Yorkshire Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Printing boss Martin Duffield from Leeds

Martin supports a number of charities both financially and in his spare time as a volunteer. In particular, his work for Lineham Farm in Leeds has helped thousands of deserving city children experience the joys of country life. From its conception in 1993 he helped to transform Lineham Farm from a derelict building into the residential centre for childrens holidays that it is today.

Also nominated for the award were:
Joan Gorton from Huddersfield for her charitable work in the field of epilepsy. Malton-based Sue Holmes for her work with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The winner was chosen by Calendar viewers.
Presenter: Dan from Big Brother 2004
Award Sponsor: npower

2nd Award
Yorkshire Business Enterprise Award.
Winner: Spice Holdings

Spice Holdings started in 1996 with seventy people and one contract. Now, it employs over seventeen hundred and has clients in the water, electricity and telecoms businesses. Over the past year it´s been winning contracts at the country´s airports and Simon Rigby its Chief Executive has successfully floated the company on the stock market. Presented to: Simon Rigby, chief executive of Spice Holdings by Duncan Wood from YTV Award Sponsor: Aon Limited

3rd Award
Yorkshire Sporting Achievement Award
Winners: Jason Robinson & Mike Tindall of England Rugby Union

(neither are available to attend on the night)
This year´s award for Sporting Achievement goes jointly to two Yorkshiremen who this time last year helped England win the Rugby Union World Cup in Australia. Additionally, Jason Robinson was recently named as England Captain. Jason Robinson is from Hunslet and plays for Sale RUFC. Mike Tindall is from Wakefield and plays for Bath RUFC. Award Sponsor: Yorkshire Post

4th Award
Yorkshire Arts and Entertainment Personality Award
Winner: Clare Teal

Clare is being hailed by some as the new Cole Porter, and by others as the next Ella Fitzgerald. Earlier this year, in a record deal said to be the largest ever signed by a UK performer, she joined an elite group of new talent bringing back jazz to a wider audience. Her cause has been done no harm whatsoever by the support of 1998 Yorkshire Man of the Year Michael Parkinson, on whose show she appeared last month. Presenting the award: Tricia Penrose
Sponsor: YTV

5th Award
Yorkshire Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Barry Cryer

Barry Cryer was born in Leeds and began his career in comedy at the City´s University. He´s no stranger to YTV studios having appeared in a host of programmes over the past thirty-five years. He´s written gags for Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, The Two Ronnies, Les Dawson, Jasper Carrot, Danny La Rue...the list is endless! Presented by: Chris Chittel from Emmerdale
Sponsor: The Yorkshire Society

6th Award
Yorkshire Awards Man of the Year
Winner: Lord Kirkham

Lord Kirkham is a miner´s son brought up in South Yorkshire who in 1969 started a company where they made furniture upstairs and sold it downstairs. Today, it´s a very different story. 71 DFS stores nationwide, two and half thousand staff, a knighthood and a peerage. And major involvement with many local charities. Presented by: Christine Talbot from YTV. Award Sponsor: Black Sheep

7th Award
Yorkshire Awards Woman of the Year
Winner: Jane Tomlinson

Janes amazing fundraising efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally. She´s responded to a diagnosis of incurable cancer by taking part in a phenomenal variety of races. The latest a week ago took her into the record books - The Iron Man Challenge in Florida involved a two and half mile swim, and one hundred and twelve mile bike ride, followed by a twenty six mile marathon! Thousands of people have benefited from her fundraising. Presented by: Andrew Morton Award Sponsor: Yorkshire Bank.