2019
St Andrew’s Pantomime Group is awarded the DOYCI Award for the second time
The Duke of York’s Community Initiative was founded in 1998 after HRH visited a York housing estate where inspiring residents had come together to resolve community problems. The Duke decided to found an Initiative to recognise the important contribution made by voluntary organisations for their work across Yorkshire.
A large number of organisations from across the county have won awards for their valuable community service, which are presented at an annual ceremony in Yorkshire. Applications need to be owned, developed and led by the people they serve. It is 
also important to show real value to the community, be well run, and be an inspiration to others. Individual awards are also given in recognition of exceptional leadership skills in voluntary service.
On Wednesday 3rd April 2019 Four members of St Andrew’s Pantomime Group, Jane Ramsey, Simon Forster, Andrew Coffey and Ian Ferguson, attended the Awards Ceremony at Catterick Camp in North Yorkshire to collect their Community Initiative Award from the Duke himself.
It’s the second time that the Group have received the award, the first time being in October 2013 – it remains valid for five years from the date of Award. To receive it a second time bears great testimony to the hard work put in year after year by so many people who are committed to keeping Pantomime in the Community.
2013
Royal praise for St Andrew’s Pantomime Group!
This year St Andrew’s Pantomime Group was among forty Yorkshire based community groups to have had our work recognised by a major royal award scheme.
The Duke of York’s Community Initiative is presented annually to community groups and charities from across the whole of Yorkshire who, following rigorous assessment, are deemed to be: “of real value to the community, well run and an inspiration to others.”
This year’s award ceremony, which involved organisations from major cities such as Wakefield, York, Beverley and Leeds as well as a number of much more rural projects such as Tockwith Festivals, Wilberfoss in Bloom and Sight Support Ryedale, was attended by over two hundred award holders, assessors and guests.
Speaking at the event HRH the Duke of York talked of how over the years the Initiative had sought to extend its remit so that now it not only recognises and rewards outstanding community work but in so doing seeks to enhance society by encouraging award holders to continue to do all they can to break down barriers between both organisations and organisation and people and people.
Picture shows Simon Forster, Chairman of the Group receiving the Initiative’s citation from HRH the Duke of York at a special award ceremony at Bridlington Spa’s Royal Hall.
The Duke of York’s Community Initiative is open to all Yorkshire based community groups. To find out more visit http://www.thedukeofyorkscommunityinitiative.org.uk/
He was a lot jollier whilst talking to us about cross dressing
At the Duke of York presentation lunch in Bridlington
