The DIVA 2007 AWARD Winners (left to right)
Philip Clarkson (Castleford Young Musicians), Ralph Jaggar
(Castleford Young Musicians), Peter Savage (Elizabethans'
Amateur Operatic Society & DIVA's chair), Marjorie Stoker
( Castleford Choral Society and Castleford Gilbert & Sullivan
Society) Christine Dart (Crofton Art Group)
Mick Yates (Black Horse Poets)
Richard Haigh (Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir)
Josie Walsh, (Black Horse Poets)

Diva's Gala Awards Evening 2007 provided an unprecedented opportunity for diva to say thank you and pay tribute to the unsung arts 'heroes' and 'heroines' of the district.
Pictured above are the celebrating winners but many others were
nominated and even more individuals are working unobtrusively
away to maintain voluntary arts in Wakefield. We salute you all!



 

Award Categories Winners
Most committed Committee Member -
Richard Haigh of Yorkshire Philharmonic
received his award from Graham Riding WMDC

Individual supporting
Voluntary Arts Award -
Christine Dart of Crofton Art Club. received her award from Cllr Elaine Blezard

Marissa Wakefield, DIVA's new Chief Executive said ........"This has been a tremendously successful event and illustrates the outstanding work carried out by DIVA over the last ten years. This evening has been a wonderful opportunity for DIVA to show how much we value the dedication and commitment of our voluntary members and the huge contribution they make towards improving arts and culture for everyone to enjoy in the Wakefield District. I am extremely proud to be the next Diva Chief Executive and to take DIVA forward into the next ten years".


Peter Savage of Elizabethans' Amateur Operatic Society
and Diva's Chair was presented
with an award by
Cllr Olivia Rowley in recognition
of his hard work and his name was placed upon the
DIVA Roll of Honour


Clare Conlon
Retiring Chief Executive


AThe Artistic Achievement Award went to Josie Walsh of The Black Horse Poets

Castleford Young Musicians
are
Vol Arts Group of the Year
Ralph Jaggar & Philip Clarkson
accept their trophy from Cllr Clive Hudson Culture, Tourism & Sport Portfolio Holder.

The 2007 AGM

George Nairn-Briggs
The Very Reverend The Dean of Wakefield Cathedral called into the DIVA Office to oversee the Vote Counting Procedure. Over 1000 votes were cast both online and by post.The names of the winners were sealed into the Golden Envelopes and only revealed on the night when each winner received a specially commissioned DIVA statuette made by local artist Amanda Howes.


 For Lifetime Achievement two Awards were presented
Marjorie Stoker of Castleford Gilbert & Sullivan Society and Mick Yates from Black Horse Poets are pictured below receiving their awards.


From left to right Ian Clayton (Writer and Broadcaster),Marjorie Stoker, Adele Poppleton Arts & Creative Economy Development Manager for Kirklees Council's Culture. Mick Yates




...................................
LEFT. David Taylor, DIVA's Deputy Chair making notes with Marissa Wakefield, DIVA's new Chief Executive. RIGHT Cllrs. Clive Hudson & Elaine Blezzard were among the 100 guests who joined to celebrate.


Above Left Tanya Cusan (left) of Salsa Theatre Productions leads the dancing. Clare Conlon (centre) making her farewell performance as DIVA's C E. We all wish her the very best in her future career.
Above Centre Graham Riding, WMDC Events, Arts & Tourism Officer enjoying the cabaret.
Above right Ian Clayton, well known T V Personality and Writer acted as compere at the DIVA Awards Evening. During the course of the evening he read an extract from his latest book "Bringing it all back home"