Tonbridge played a major role in the borough’s first ever Community Awards, with several much-loved local groups and volunteers recognised at the ceremony held on Wednesday 19 November at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s offices in Kings Hill.
The awards aim to celebrate volunteers, neighbours and community champions whose work often goes unseen. Twenty-eight individuals and groups were honoured across categories recognising achievement, environmental action, community safety and group impact.
Tonbridge Pride named Outstanding Community Group
One of the night’s standout Tonbridge winners was Tonbridge Pride, which took home the Outstanding Community Group Award.
Volunteer and organiser Zoe Duerden said:
“Everyone at Tonbridge Pride is ecstatic to have won Outstanding Community Group in the TMBC Community Awards. What began as a day to spread love, acceptance, understanding and education has grown beyond belief, with over 20,000 people attending from across Kent. Run by the community, for the community, this award is incredibly humbling and would not have been possible without the support of volunteers, sponsors and officers at Tonbridge Castle. We hope you will join our celebration and share this achievement with us.”
Sustain Food Bank volunteers also honoured
Tonbridge’s Sustain Food Bank volunteer team was also recognised in the Outstanding Community Group category. Based at Tonbridge Baptist Church, Sustain has been running for over a decade and provides food and hygiene support for around 100 families each week in the Longmead and Trench areas.
Project lead Emma Lander said:
“As a dedicated team of volunteers we feel honoured to have been both nominated and then to go onto receive this award. The recognition will continue to motivate us to provide this much-needed support to our clients. Volunteering for Sustain is hard work to serve needy people every week. But it’s great fun and the team is like a big family.”
Other Tonbridge winners
Several other Tonbridge-based groups and individuals featured strongly among the winners:
- Tonbridge Repair Café — recognised for its innovation and community service repairing items, reducing waste and building connections.
- Haysden Country Park Volunteers — celebrated for 20 years of conservation and service.
- Tonbridge Lions Club — honoured for bringing people together and providing vital help in times of need.
- Tonbridge Parkrun — recognised for 12 years of volunteering to provide a safe, welcoming space for runners and walkers.
- Phil Waite and Jill Waite — for their work in caring for others and helping keep Tonbridge clean, safe and welcoming.
- Rachelle Harte — winner of the Community Safety Award for improving security and public safety at the Tonbridge Christmas Festival.
Council leaders praise community strength
Cllr Des Keers, cabinet member for community services, said:
“What an incredible evening, celebrating the selfless commitment and compassion of people who are making a difference to our borough and the environment we live in. The dedication I’ve seen and heard about during these awards is an inspiring reminder of the impact that ordinary people can have, when they turn ideas into action. Well done to everyone who has been nominated and awarded – and here’s to the many hundreds of people who may not have been represented here tonight but give their time and effort to our community every day.”
Council Leader Matt Boughton added:
“I’m delighted for all our winners and feel truly grateful for the support and excitement that these awards have generated. The strength of community spirit demonstrated here tonight has been humbling, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s ceremony.”
Nominations for the 2026 Community Awards will open soon.
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