Local Hero Award Winner 2025

Local Hero Award Winner & Runner Up 2025

Dinas Powys Community Council are excited to announce that the winner of the 2024/25 Local Hero Award goes to Mark Thompson. In it’s second year, the Local Hero Award champions individuals and organisations that go over and above to enrich our community here in Dinas Powys.

Please join us in congratulating Mark on receiving this award, as voted by YOU. Mark received numerous nominations from all demographics within our community as someone who makes our village a great place to live and a massive thank you to everyone who took the time out to nominate Mark and other members of the community who invest a significant amount of their own time and effort to enrich the tapestry that makes up Dinas Powys.

We will be formally awarding the award to Mark and all other winners in May.
Mark for over thirty years has been entertaining audiences not only with his comedic style as a compere, but as an all-round singer and entertainer. Over the years Mark has organised and taken part in numerous shows, musical societies and local events, including the Gŵyl Gerdd Dinas Powys Music Festival. Since 2020, Mark has ran his own entertainment company Ginatra, that organises music, comedy and other events for any occasion.
The events that Mark organises are seen as a lifeline for many. Along with his evening shows, his daytime events at the Parish Hall have been catered for the elderly and provides a conduit where people can meet, socialise, and feel inclusive. As part of the process, Mark received numerous nominations from members of the public, highlighting all the selfless work he carries out.

Please find below a small selection of testimonials that we received from local residents for Mark as part of the nomination process:

“Mark has founded a Church / Community Choir, providing enjoyment and companionship to all involved. He also encouraged local charities to join in. The money raised was donated to local charities. He is also a compete and soloist with Penarth Music and Variety Co. Mark formed “Forte”, a local cabaret group who perform locally, raising funds for local charities. He has been an active member of the Dinas Powys Music Festival and has been the Chair of the committee for the last decade. Currently, he is busy organising the event for the 25th anniversary of the festival. Mark has entertained residents at Bethel House and several care homes in Penarth and Cardiff. He seeks no personal reward or recognition, but thoroughly deserves this award.”

“Because Mark is the nicest most helpful person and is always willing to do anything anyone asks of him. He works very hard putting on his shows in the Parish Hall. Everyone enjoys them. Mark is my very worthy local hero.”

“Mark – ‘Thank you for the music’. Mark plays a pivotal role in organising and rolling out the annual Dinas Powys Music Festival. A musical extravaganza enjoyed by so many. He also freely shares his time and talent whilst entertaining residents of local care homes.”

“He works tirelessly creating numerous events within out community. He’s a stalwart of the Music Festival within Dinas Powys despite recent adversity, always happy and smiling and is the first to help others.”

“Mark has the community at the centre of all he does! Twenty five years of the Bethesda Community Choir – now the wonderful Ginatra events! He and his family are so wonderful – they touch so many lives for good. A true hero!!” “Goes above and beyond to entertain the locals – fantastic person!”

“Mark is an inspiration to everyone that knows him, he is so full of fun and laughter in all that he does in Dinas Powys. When entertaining the community with his songs at the Parish Hall each month. He is one of the many treasures who bring love and happiness to all those who know him.”

“Mark is a great person and a lovely warm friend to lots of people. He has helped hundreds of people in lots of different ways. He has helped elderly people and young alike. He puts on events in the Parish Hall, such as the singing and cabaret events, and the audience is made of mainly pensioners, who definitely need to be able to get out during the day to enjoy themselves, and also have a good lunch for not too much money.”

“He does so much for the community organising events and raising money for charities. Without him there would be nothing doing on in the village! He definitely deserves recognition.”

“Mark is a most welcome entertainer at Ty Gwyn and Hebron. He makes the residents and their families feel so special.”

“Mark is the most selfless person I know. Mark has supported the local community in so many ways. He brings together the whole community for lots of events. He has supported lots of charities and has been part of getting men to talk about prostate cancer offering support for others.”

“Mark is wonderful for the people of Dinas Powys, just what we need, there wouldn’t be the community spirit without him arranging all the things he does. He is always happy to help and nothing is too much trouble for him. If he doesn’t deserve this award I don’t know who does.”

Local Hero Award – Runner up – Jill Harvey

Dinas Powys Community Council are thriled to announce that the Jill Harvey has been recognised this year as part of our Local Hero Award nomination process.

Local Hero Award champions individuals and organisations that go over and above to enrich our community here in Dinas Powys.

Please join us in congratulating Jill for her selfless hard work over the years assisting a number of local organisations. Jill joins Mark Thompson as recipients on this year’s Local Hero Award roster, as voted by YOU. Jill received a number of nominations this year, along with a number last year as well. A massive thank you to everyone who took the time out to nominate Jill and other members of the community who invest a significant amount of their own time and effort to enrich the tapestry that makes up Dinas Powys.

We will be formally awarding the award to Jill, Mark and all other winners in May.

About Jill

Jill has been instrumental over the years in raising funds for a number of organisations in the village including the local Scouts and the Salvation Army. Her efforts went as far as a large part in keeping the Scout Hall open. With her husband Ian by her side, they have both raised funds for Marie Curie, including both quiz and curry nights, and choir performances. Their efforts have resulted in over £5000 being raised for the charity. In being selfless and taking the initiative in organising fundraising events, Jill has become a leader and role model for the youth in Dinas Powys via the Scouts organisation.

About Wild About Nature
Wild About Nature is a community based organisation that is committed to improve the well-being of our village through the improvement of our surroundings. This includes by organising family friendly events all year long including planting, litter picking, nature walks and a whole lot more.
Events that they have organised recently includes the planting of flower beds, bird walks through the Cwm Cross Common Woods, litter picks along the Ash Path and the removal of ragwort from the Common.
Angela Peterken and Hilary May over a few short years have make Wild About Nature into one of the most well established and loved organisations in the village.
About Evolve Dance Fitness
Evolve Dance Fitness are a dance class that take place regularly at the Scout Hall and the Murchfield Community Centre. As Evolve Fitness put it themselves – “It’s teaching women to feel powerful and confident about their bodies. It’s teaching women to empower other women. Come and dance the night away with us, have fun and burn calories.”
Alex Jenkins and Corrin Clements, the organisers of the fitness class, have made their classes inclusive, with no pressure on anyone who wishes to join in and have fun regardless of their dancing ability! There is no boundaries or limits to the style of musical genres that the group will dance to.
“I have struggled for years to find a fitness class here I genuinely feel included, with no pressure to ‘fit in’ and that I actually look forward to each week. Where I feel lifted from the moment I step in and encouraged to do what I can. So, when life is hectic and full of the day to day chores and work, when things feel a bit too much or when you feel you need to get fit, get a bit of yourself back or regain your body confidence and power – Evolve Dance Fitness with Alex and Corrin is just what you need. Fun, inclusive and empowering.”

 

Past Local Hero Award Winner – Mike Grove
In it’s second year, the Local Hero Award is a Dinas Powys Community Council run initiative that champions local residents and organisations that makes a significant contribution to the well-being, environment and culture of the village, it’s residents and surrounding areas.

Mike Grove was the first respondent of the Local Hero Award in 2024. Mike leads a team which does outstanding work for Dinas Powys Food Bank – an organisation run locally and supported by the Bethesda Chapel. Mike was nominated for his dedication and leadership of the food bank and its incredible work over the last thirteen years. Dinas Powys Food Bank has fed and cared for literally hundreds of vulnerable people, while individuals have quietly and diligently supported their neighbours throughout with volunteers and donations from the public and local shops.

The nomination process for the third Local Hero Award commences in the Spring / Summer period of this year at the Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre Spring Fayre, taking place on the 17th of May. Our village is made up on organisations and individuals who contribute selflessly for the benefit of all.