Greenock Chamber of Commerce are going all out for this years Bee’s Knees awards, as they introduce a variety of exciting new categories all with one purpose-to reflect the diversity of our local Inverclyde business community and the driving force, its people.

Now in its 8th year, the Awards initiative is a major highlight in the business calendar and a great opportunity for Inverclyde organisations wanting to showcase their achievements.

Applications are being accepted for companies of any size, working in any market sector-just as long as they operate within Inverclyde and meet the criteria outlined for the category being entered. You can enter your own company or nominate another.

Winners will be awarded a trophy and certificate, as well as enjoying all the accolades of success. All winners will go forward for the chance to lift The Best of the Best title along with the coveted Bee Trophy and a package of support from Greenock Chambers members worth thousands of pounds.

Don’t miss this opportunity to tell us who you think should be considered the Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee’s Knees award winners for 2011!

Key Dates:

Deadline for nominations – Monday 21^st March

Shortlisted candidates advised by – Monday 28^th March

Shortlist present to judges from – Monday 18^th April

Finalists selected by – Thursday 28^th April

Awards Dinner – Friday 3^rd June

How to enter:

Please email your nomination to hugh@greenockchamber.co.uk, marking the email subject box Bee’s Knees Submission.

Now that spring has sprung and summer is on its way, there’s no excuse not to take advantage of Inverclyde’s beautiful walkways and lap up some of that fresh Scottish air. And what better way than to take part in Inverclyde Leisure’s 5km Fun Walk/Run on Sunday 24^th July 2011.

Anyone can enter and there are medals and prizes to be won. Proceeds go to Ardgowan Hospice.

It starts at the Waterfront Leisure Centre at 11am but entrants should arrive no later than 10:30am.

Entry forms can be collected from any Inverclyde Leisure facility or alternatively you can download it from the website.

http://www.inverclydeleisure.com

One of the mouth-watering  auction prizes at the recent Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards dinner was

CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWELVE PEOPLE AT BLAIR CASTLE, DALRY

Blair Castle is a 5 Star, exclusive use castle,  set within 400 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens and provides secluded privacy in one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. The cherished home of the Blair family through the generations,
Blair Castle has hosted many important figures in Scottish history including Mary Queen of Scots. William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and King Edward VII were all comrades of the Blair family.

Blair Castle is the family home of Luke and Caroline Borwick who are descendants of the original Norman knight who founded Blair in 1105. This unique castle offers the opportunity to travel through history whilst enjoying superb hospitality and luxurious accommodation surrounded by the warmth and elegance of this acclaimed family home.

The private hospitality they offer is second to none so our auction prize winner has lots to look forward to.

The 2010 Sports Personality Awards dinner was great fun and by all accounts very successful with new sponsors interested and some guests already booking tables for next year’s event. The finalists and winners in the eight categories were

COACH OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Stuart McKay Prestige Cars

1.         Robert Adams Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club – Joint Winner

2.         David McVey Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club – Joint Winner

3.         Vince Gillen Inverclyde Phoenix American Football Club

4.         Danny Lee Greenock Amateur Boxing Club

DISABLED SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR  -Sponsored by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board

1.         Isaac Dunning Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club – Winner

2.         Paul McNaught Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club

3.         Gordon May – Bowling

SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Inverclyde Council

1.         Moorfoot Primary School Benchball Team

2.         Inverkip Primary School Sportshall Athletics

3.         Notre Dame High School Under 15 Girls Netball – Winner

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – Sponsored by New Horizons Marketing

1.         Richard Hodelet Athletics – Winner

2.         Joe Doherty Judo

3.         Larry Barilli Football

SERVICE TO SPORT – Sponsored by Half Pounders

1.         Jim Stables Curling

2.         Rona Boag Fitness

3.         Anne Clark Netball – Winner

TEAM OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde

1.         Inverclyde Athletics Club

2.         Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club – Winner

3.         Gourock Youth Athletic Under 19’s Football Team

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Inverclyde Leisure

1.         Sarah Glenny Kilbarchan Athletics Club – Winner

2.         Darren Kelly Wemyss Bay Judo Club

3.         Sam Ball Greenock Amateur Boxing Club

SENIOR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Greenock Telegraph

1.         Stuart Crichton Inverclyde Ironmasters Weightlifting Club

2.         Gordon McIntyre Kelburn Hockey Club – Winner

3.         Sandy Wotherspoon Port Glasgow Bowling Club

A special award for services to fitness was awarded to the late Rona Boag and received by her husband Alan to a standing ovation.

Roll on the 2011 awards!

There is just time to be a part of the Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards for 2010 taking place at the Greenock Town Hall Friday 25th February at 7pm. The occasion includes a three course meal with wine and promises to be a great night. Tickets cost £30 and are available from the Greenock Telegraph offices or online at www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk. Dress is lounge suits or similar.

Hello everyone! Came across this today, thought it might be of interest to some of you……

To all those who have ever worked at Scotts Shipbuilders and Engineers of Greenock, this is a great opportunity to reunite and reminisce with old workmates.

The reunion will be held at the McLean Museum on Saturday 5^th of March from 11am onwards.

The occasion will be filmed and your memories will form the basis of an archive of local reminiscences to be stored at the museum for future generations.

So please come along and be part of the celebrations.

For any further information about the event contact the McLean museum on 01475 715624.

Don’t miss out on this special awards dinner in the Greenock Town Hall  on Friday 25th February where Inverclyde’s sportsmen, sportswomen and young people will be recognised for their sporting achievements in 2010 under eight categories of award. Performances from Inverclyde schools choir and our speaker Tommy Boyle promise to make this a night to remember.

Get your ticket now from the Greenock Telegraph office or online from www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk There are still a few available price £30 including a delightful three course meal with wine.