Gala Awards Dinner

The most outstanding Test Valley Business Awards Gala Dinner in its 6 year history was held on 15 April at the Army's Officers' Mess at Marlborough Lines, Andover. It was a rare opportunity to experience this superb venue and enjoy Aramark's exceptional three course dinner as the venue may not be available to us in future when it shortly becomes the Army's HQ of UK Land Forces.

We congratulate all the Award Winners and Highly Commended companies whose success was celebrated by being presented with stylish trophies and certificates. They were photographed with the Sponsors of their Award and Chris Packham, Guest of Honour, and some Winners recorded interviews with Andover Sound.

Guests received prizes donated by local businesses and in turn generously donated close to £1,000 to the ABF The Soldiers' Charity, which provides soldiers and their families with lifelong support. The Editor of the Andover Advertiser, Joe Scicluna, restated his newspaper's continuing support, and that of the Romsey Advertiser, for the Test Valley Business Awards as a media partner. Winners can expect to receive wide coverage of their success in the media - press, radio and internet.

Chris Packham with Mark Howard of the Waltet Group of Companies, Special Sponsor of Guest of Honour

Col. Simon Lane (Retd) of ABF The Soldiers' Charity told guests about their service, which helps soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

Ian Axton of Andover Sound compered the evening, guiding it with a smooth, light touch. Dave Burlison Photography provided glorious photographs. Radiquip supplied the sound system. Music was provided bt The Smalltown Playboys Group..

160 guests attended, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Test Valley, Cllr Ian Hibberd and Mrs Teresa Hibberd. Mark Howard of The Waltet Group introduced Guest of Honour Chris Packham as Special Sponsor of the Guest Speaker. Chris Packham delighted guests with his after dinner speech which was both thought provoking on the conservation of our planet, with humorous asides which arose from some of his travels to distant places.