Latest news with #HowellDavies
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Zealand's Places, Spaces, And People Honoured At 2025 Parks Awards
Press Release – Recreation Aotearoa A record crowd gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland tonight for the annual Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards, a celebration of the people, places, and spaces shaping Aotearoa New Zealand's recreation sector. This year's event also welcomed the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective (NZCCC) Ngā Rau Hotu, who joined the celebrations to honour leaders in the cemeteries and crematoria sector with the biennial Cemeteries Awards. The evening kicked off with the 'Active Park / Sportsground of the Year' award, recognising adventure parks and sportsgrounds that support active, healthy lifestyles. The finalists were: McLean Park Skatepark, Kāpiti Coast District Council Motutawa Skatepark, Convic Te Wāhi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park, Invercargill City Council Convic's Motutawa Skatepark in Lower Hutt took out the top honour, while Invercargill City Council received a Merit Award for Te Wāhi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park. Next was the 'Healthy Park of the Year' award, which celebrates parks that enhance community wellbeing and social connection. Finalists included: Kaipātiki Reserve, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council Kōpūrererua Valley, Tauranga City Council Te Awahou Riverside, Horowhenua District Council Kaipātiki Reserve, a collaboration between Resilio Studio and Auckland Council, claimed the title, with a Merit Award presented to Tauranga City Council for Kōpūrererua Valley. The 'Playspace of the Year' awards followed, recognising excellence in playgrounds and recreational playspaces, with separate categories for projects under and over $500,000. Seven finalists were named: Kaipātiki Reserve Wāhi Tākaro, Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council Rānui Domain Playground, Auckland Council Raumanga Scenic Reserve Playground, Whangārei District Council Papatakohe Park, Waipā District Council Te Papa Tākaro o Matua Iwi, Tauranga City Council Waitaha Reserve, Tauranga City Council Waterfront Playground, Tauranga City Council Tauranga City Council dominated the category, winning both awards. Te Papa Tākaro o Matua Iwi was named 'Playspace of the Year (within $500,000)', while the city's new Waterfront Playground received 'Playspace of the Year (over $500,000)'. Merit Awards in the over $500,000 category went to Tauranga City Council's Waitaha Reserve and Kaipātiki Reserve Wāhi Tākaro, delivered by Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council. The final award of the night, 'Parks Person of the Year', honours individuals who show outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to public parks. This year, the accolade was shared by two recipients: Simon Alefosio-Tuck from Rotorua Lakes Council and Howell Davies from Auckland Council. Kieran Smith, Parks, Play and Open Spaces Programme Manager at Recreation Aotearoa, said the awards reflect the growing importance of open spaces in supporting thriving communities. 'Across Aotearoa, parks are more than playgrounds and sports fields — they're places for communities to gather, connect, and recharge. This year's finalists and winners set a powerful example of how these spaces can enhance wellbeing, sustainability, and community pride,' Smith said.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Zealand's Places, Spaces, And People Honoured At 2025 Parks Awards
A record crowd gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland tonight for the annual Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards, a celebration of the people, places, and spaces shaping Aotearoa New Zealand's recreation sector. This year's event also welcomed the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective (NZCCC) Ngā Rau Hotu, who joined the celebrations to honour leaders in the cemeteries and crematoria sector with the biennial Cemeteries Awards. The evening kicked off with the 'Active Park / Sportsground of the Year' award, recognising adventure parks and sportsgrounds that support active, healthy lifestyles. The finalists were: McLean Park Skatepark, Kāpiti Coast District Council Motutawa Skatepark, Convic Te Wāhi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park, Invercargill City Council Convic's Motutawa Skatepark in Lower Hutt took out the top honour, while Invercargill City Council received a Merit Award for Te Wāhi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park. Next was the 'Healthy Park of the Year' award, which celebrates parks that enhance community wellbeing and social connection. Finalists included: Kaipātiki Reserve, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council Kōpūrererua Valley, Tauranga City Council Te Awahou Riverside, Horowhenua District Council Kaipātiki Reserve, a collaboration between Resilio Studio and Auckland Council, claimed the title, with a Merit Award presented to Tauranga City Council for Kōpūrererua Valley. The 'Playspace of the Year' awards followed, recognising excellence in playgrounds and recreational playspaces, with separate categories for projects under and over $500,000. Seven finalists were named: Kaipātiki Reserve Wāhi Tākaro, Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council Rānui Domain Playground, Auckland Council Raumanga Scenic Reserve Playground, Whangārei District Council Papatakohe Park, Waipā District Council Te Papa Tākaro o Matua Iwi, Tauranga City Council Waitaha Reserve, Tauranga City Council Waterfront Playground, Tauranga City Council Tauranga City Council dominated the category, winning both awards. Te Papa Tākaro o Matua Iwi was named 'Playspace of the Year (within $500,000)', while the city's new Waterfront Playground received 'Playspace of the Year (over $500,000)'. Merit Awards in the over $500,000 category went to Tauranga City Council's Waitaha Reserve and Kaipātiki Reserve Wāhi Tākaro, delivered by Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Resilio Studio and Auckland Council. The final award of the night, 'Parks Person of the Year', honours individuals who show outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to public parks. This year, the accolade was shared by two recipients: Simon Alefosio-Tuck from Rotorua Lakes Council and Howell Davies from Auckland Council. Kieran Smith, Parks, Play and Open Spaces Programme Manager at Recreation Aotearoa, said the awards reflect the growing importance of open spaces in supporting thriving communities. 'Across Aotearoa, parks are more than playgrounds and sports fields — they're places for communities to gather, connect, and recharge. This year's finalists and winners set a powerful example of how these spaces can enhance wellbeing, sustainability, and community pride,' Smith said.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Huge Brit pop star teases massive bombshells in new memoir & reveals she broke down in tears ‘a lot' while writing it
It's been 56 years since the star won Eurovision SECRETS OUT Huge Brit pop star teases massive bombshells in new memoir & reveals she broke down in tears 'a lot' while writing it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITISH music icon Lulu says writing her memoir has forced her into therapy because it was so distressing. The Shout singer will release If Only You Knew on September 25, and admitted it is so full of revelations she kept secret until now, that it brought on 'lots of tears'. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Lulu says writing her memoir has forced her into therapy because it was so distressing Credit: Getty 3 Lulu with The Sun's Howell Davies Credit: Supplied During an exclusive chat with Bizarre's Howell yesterday, Lulu said: 'I was brought up by a mother who would constantly nag me and say, don't wash your dirty linen in public. 'The message I got was, 'Don't tell anybody anything. "Keep it to yourself'. So they became secrets. 'Everything was a secret and it was pushed down. And I've had issues. 'There's a lot of things in my life I have never spoken about that I talk about in this book. "So it's been intense. I've had to go into therapy. "It's been quite a thing this past year. 'It came about because somebody said to me, 'People think they know Lulu, but nobody knows you'. "Because I keep things to myself. 'I push them down and actually dislodging them, pulling them up, dredging them up, it was not easy. Huge British pop icon announces shock retirement after glittering 60-year career "That was like, Oh my god. That took a lot of physical, mental effort.' She added: 'I know I would hide it, but I always felt different, awkward, and alone. 'And now, you don't have to feel that way.' The experience has encouraged her to launch charitable fund Lulu's Mental Health Trust. Her first initiative was a walk across London yesterday, which raised more than £15,000. It started at the school in Shadwell, East London where she filmed 1967 movie To Sir With Love, and ended at the old studio in Camden, North London, where she recorded Shout. Lulu, who posed with her cockapoo Fudge at the start is busier than ever as she also has a popular podcast and has just announced a tour for the autumn. Lulu said: 'Through the difficulties I have had help, I have survived, and not just survived. "I am probably in a better place than I have ever been in my whole life. 'CRAZY WOMAN' 'Part of me likes getting older, although part of me still thinks she's 15. I'm kind of incorrigible, you know, I'm a crazy woman.' Remarkably, it is 56 years since she won Eurovision with Boom Bang-a-Bang, but she didn't tune in on Saturday. Lulu said: 'I can't bear to watch it and us lose again. I just can't. 'I have to wait and say, did we win? Oh, we won! Then I can watch it back. 'But those lovely girls, Remember Monday. Don't let it stop you. Keep going. 'Elton John and I always say, keep pushing forward, especially if you love what you do.' And as for what the UK should do for its entry next year? Lulu said: 'See if they can get Elton to write a song, or Gary Barlow.' She might just be on to something. 3 Lulu with her cockapoo Fudge Credit: PA Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
South Wales Argus
30-04-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League members "shocked" to win at recent LTA Tennis Awards
Committee members Howell Davies, Tom Brown and Mark Helliar were present to receive the top prize at the awards, which were held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, following an impressive year of dedication to the sport. The league now includes 171 teams, making it the largest adult winter tennis league in Cheshire with over 2,700 players and chairman Davies was thrilled to gain recognition for their work. It's a bit of a surprise to win," he said. "The amount of work we do is significant and we always just get it done." Brown added: "We moved the league online last year, onto the LTA system and it's been a challenge but to get out of the back of it and seeing almost 850 fixtures complete was such a success. For nearly all our matches being played, especially in the winter, made it such a memorable year for us." The East Cheshire Winter League was established 20 years ago and Helliar noted that the competition still intrigues clubs to this day who want to continue their tennis during the colder months. "We're continually trying to give back through the club and get more clubs and people involved," he said." "Because it's a mixed league as well that's very unique and unusual for the tennis leagues in our area which is a real point of difference for us and is really fun." The annual LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus, highlight and celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of people in tennis and padel across Britain. First launched in 2015 by former LTA president Cathie Sabin OBE, over the past ten years, the awards have illustrated the depth of service and talent within the tennis community and serve as an inspiration to others to get involved in the game. The winners, selected from more than 2,000 nominations across 25 different categories, were all acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to tennis in 2024. Speaking at the event, President of the LTA Sandi Procter, said: "The ceremony is a celebration of the people that make our sport so special. "I have always been passionate about grassroots, and the LTA awards are our way of highlighting the extraordinary contribution of individuals and venues across Britain. "The dedication of all the winners, and runners-up too, is unbelievable." To find out more information about the LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus or for information on how to play, coach, volunteer or officiate in tennis, head to: The Official Home of Tennis For Britain | LTA
