Pride of Somerset Youth Awards

The McMillan Theatre at the Bridgwater campus of Bridgewater and Taunton College played host to a truly inspiring evening on Tuesday 21 May, as young people from across the county were honoured at the annual Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. With a packed audience, moving stories, and joyful celebrations, the evening was a heartfelt tribute to the resilience, creativity, and compassion of Somerset’s youth.

Founded by the Rotary Club of Taunton, who continue to support the awards as a key sponsor, the evening reflected both continuity and fresh energy as it is now delivered by Bridgwater and Taunton College with the support of a number of other local sponsors.

Rotary’s legacy and ongoing impact were warmly acknowledged by the evening’s host, who invited the audience to offer Rotarian Tony Murray a well-deserved round of applause in recognition of his role in founding this now much-loved annual tradition.

A particularly moving highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Peter Renshaw Education Award, established in memory of Peter Renshaw, a deeply respected and much-missed member of the Rotary Club of Taunton who passed away last year. Peter’s daughters, Helen and Claire, attended the ceremony and shared poignant reflections on their father’s passion for education and his commitment to young people. The Peter Renshaw Award was then presented by President Tracey to this year’s deserving recipient, Chloe Fry, who is pictured here receiving her award.

Throughout the night, the stories of courage, service, and personal triumph told by and about the young nominees left a profound impact on all who attended. It was, as one guest put it, “an uplifting evening” – a powerful reminder of the goodness, resilience, and hope found in the next generation.

The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards continue to grow in stature and significance, celebrating the very best of Somerset’s young people.