Two awards given to local women

Newtown has yet another reason to celebrate as one of its own, Carrie Jones, has been honoured with a Gold Kite award by Powys County Council for her remarkable achievements in the world of women's football.

At just 19 years old, Carrie's talent and dedication have earned her this prestigious recognition, making her a source of pride for the entire community.

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The award ceremony took place during the Royal Welsh Show, where Cllr Beverley Baynham, Chair of Powys County Council, presented the Gold Kite to Carrie, acknowledging her incredible journey in football. Starting her sporting endeavors at the tender age of seven with Newtown White Stars, Carrie's passion for the game quickly propelled her forward. As she grew, she had to navigate around rule restrictions, eventually playing boys' football with Berriew Juniors, a move that showcased her determination and resilience.

Carrie's ascent in the football world has been nothing short of impressive. She not only captained Wales Under 15s but also earned a spot in the Wales Under 17s team. However, her crowning moment came when she made her debut for the senior side at just 15 years old during the Euro 2021 qualifiers. Since then, she has continued to shine, securing 20 caps and signing with Manchester United. Her exceptional talent and skill also led her to spend a successful season on loan with Leicester City.

In a community that thrives on talent and achievement, Carrie's accolades are celebrated alongside those of Kate Rayner, another local hero from Newtown. Kate's contribution to her community through the Community Speedwatch group has been invaluable. Rain or shine, she stands vigilant to protect her neighborhood, campaigning for speed limit reductions and safer walking and cycling paths.

The Gold Kite award is a well-deserved recognition of Carrie's unwavering dedication and the mark she has made on the world of football at such a young age. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to young athletes in Newtown and beyond, showing that with passion and perseverance, dreams can indeed be turned into reality.

The ceremony also saw Cllr Baynham present Silver Kite awards to eleven other outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in their communities. Among them are Tracy Lewis, Leanne Davies, Ethan Orton, Joshua Longbottom, Gary Williams, Roche Davies, Delyth Powell, John Wilding, and John Lloyd. Each recipient was praised for their exceptional contributions and commitment to making a positive difference in their respective fields.

Chair of Powys County Council, Cllr Beverley Baynham, said:

“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to send in a nomination. It was no mean feat trying to whittle the nominations down, but it was a great honour and privilege to present the individuals with their awards.

“All winners were deserving for a variety of different reasons, but all just as worthy as each other. Each one of them have shown anexceptional performance or have made a real impact in their communities and are truly deserving of their award. Congratulations to them all.”

Silver and Gold Kite awards are civic awards presented to people who live in Powys and have gone above and beyond in their community or achieved something exceptional in their field of sport. Nominations are made to the Chair of Council throughout the year by Councillors and awarded at the discretion of the Chair.

Carrie Jones and Kate Rayner's achievements are shining examples of the talent and community spirit that Newtown has to offer. As the town continues to nurture its bright stars, it stands proud of their accomplishments and eagerly anticipates what the future holds for these young trailblazers.