People and organisations who have given their time and energy to make a difference in the Witney community were recognised at the annual Citizen Awards.
Friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues nominated a special person for the awards which were presented by mayor Owen Collins at the 2024 Civic Reception on Friday (March 8).
A special award was presented to the Rev Toby Wright "who has supported all civic events and been generous with his time despite being extremely busy".
Rev Wright will be leaving the parish later this year to serve as the Dean of Wells.
"We will miss him and there isn’t an award big enough to convey our thanks to him," said the nomination.
Witney Vikings were awarded Sports Team of the Year "in acknowledgment of the hard work of all the volunteers that support the club, and the young people that bring such enthusiasm to the game".
The Community Organisation of the Year award went to the volunteers at Witney Food Revolution, who run the Witney Larder and the Witney Fridge, which aim to combat waste and provide affordable healthy food for all by redistributing surplus food and other goods from supermarkets.
Finally the prestigious Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Squadron Leader Mike Caffrey, leader of 2120 Squadron, Witney Air Cadets.
Judges were looking in particular for selfless service to a voluntary body or the community which is making a real difference to the everyday lives of others.
Support for Mr Caffrey's nomination poured in from across the town, from cadets, colleagues and other cadet leaders and from councillors and staff at the Town Hall.
"Mike was a hugely popular winner, as was very obvious when he accepted his award from the Mayor," said the town council.
This year is 50th anniversary of Witney Town Council’s and a slideshow of the past five decades was beamed on to a big screen featuring several of the town's former mayors who attended the event.
The anniversary itself will take place on April 1 with more events being planned.
Former Town clerk Judy White, who started her career at the Witney Town Council on its very first day in 1974, was among guests at the Corn Exchange which was decorated with a gold theme by @BrideAndBeautiful events.
The evening started with the cutting of a celebration cake featuring a gold 50 Witney Town Council logo before Paul Ashton-Bridges entertained the audience with some laughs and a selection of guaranteed audience participation songs.
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