Awards - Blog - Community

Community Champion Bowls us Over!

This month for our ‘Community Champion Award' we reward Dave Holder who was nominated for his work inspiring youngsters - particularly girls - at Menston cricket club, to take up the game.His work led to the cricket club being able to field a full girls team for the first ever time at the end of the 2016 season!Of his work Dave said: “The junior section at the cricket club has gone from strength to strength, we have over 50 u9 kids being coached plus around 20 u11’s. The girls now number around 15, this success is recognised by Yorkshire County Cricket Club who are bringing a Yorkshire Diamonds, The Yorkshire women’s team, roadshow to the ground on Wednesday 5th July”.Dave’s work in the community also includes organising the biennial FoMPS Golf Day and he was in charge of the annual Yomp for 3 years for the FoMPS committee.  Just as comfortable on the football, as well as the cricket, pitch - Dave regularly helps out with refereeing duties and until earlier this month Dave was also a Director of The Menstone during its period of massive change.Moving into the Village in 1975, spending a few years away here and there but always being drawn back, Dave said: “ I love the friendliness of the village, there is still that sense of community. Over the last 40 years I have seen massive changes in the village but in so many ways it also remains unchanged, the change is very much the infrastructure, housing etc, whilst unrecognisable from 1975 in its size it is still very much a village community, I feel the school is very much the centre of the community but at the Cricket Club we are trying to put the club back at the forefront of people’s minds".On his nomination for the award Dave said “ I am honoured, reward is something I don’t seek but it is nice to get recognition for the hard but fun work. I’ll get some stick from mates I’m sure but it will only be jealousy!”Well done Dave - our community relies on the hard work and dedication of people like you. We rewarded Dave with some much deserved Beer Vouchers for The Menstone so he can take a bit of time out to relax!Find out more about the Yorkshire Diamonds Summer Roadshow hereDo you know a local hero who has given their time to support the neighbourhood - then let us know by emailing lisa@ribstonpippin.co.uk