Johnny Beattie set to host Provost’s Community Awards

All-round Scottish entertainer Johnny Beattie has signed up to host the 2011 Provost’s Community Awards.

The much-loved actor and comedian will join Renfrewshire’s Provost Celia Lawson in honouring the area’s unsung heroes at the glittering ceremony next year.

Nominations for the awards which will be held on 26 February 2011 are now open.

Johnny began his career in Scottish music hall before going on to appear in over 200 TV programmes including Taggart and River City.

Johnny said: “I am very impressed by the Provost and the good work she does for the community. It is marvellous that the council holds these awards every year because it is so important to honour the community’s local heroes. It is for that reason that I am delighted to be involved in this year’s ceremony.”

Recently Johnny joined Provost Lawson in leading the tributes to his fellow performer Kenneth McKellar, at a special service at Paisley Abbey.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Celia Lawson said: “I am absolutely delighted that Johnny Beattie has agreed to come along and compere the Provost’s Community Awards. I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny at the celebration of Kenneth McKellar’s life recently held in Paisley. He is a hugely amusing and talented performer with a heart of gold who gives his time freely to support charities such as The Variety Club of Great Britain. As a testament to his generosity, Johnny agreed to compere the Provost’s Community Awards free of charge with a donation instead being made to St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank.

“This is exactly the kind of giving and kind-hearted gesture that the awards are all about so he really will be a fitting compere. I am sure everyone at the ceremony will have a wonderful time.”

The Provost’s Community Awards recognise people who live and work in Renfrewshire who are an inspiration to others either through their personal achievements or contribution to their community.

Nominations are invited for the seven categories, which are:

Child of Achievement, sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd
Carer’s Award, sponsored by Former Provost Nancy Allison
Community Volunteer, sponsored by Ciba UK
Special Needs, sponsored by Scottish Power and Former Provost Ronnie and Mrs Helen Burns
Arts and Culture, sponsored by Acre Industrial and Cleaning Services
Adult Achiever, sponsored by Diageo
Spirit of Fairtrade, sponsored by the Piazza Shopping Centre
Provost Lawson added: “These awards offer a chance to put forward someone you know, a friend, a colleague, a pupil or loved one, who may not realise it but has inspired you with their own achievements.

“The awards have been going for 13 years now and every year I am astounded by the moving stories of ordinary people leading extraordinary lives.”

If you know a special person who deserves to be nominated for an award just pick up a form from any Renfrewshire Council building or fill in the form online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/provostsawards. If you have difficulty finding a form please phone Drew Gibson on 0141 840 3363 or Mairi Brown on 0141 840 3706.
Nominations must be received by Friday 29 October 2009. The awards are open to people who live and work in Renfrewshire.