28 Jan Tanny Stobart voted Torbay’s Community Champion 2025

Tanny receives a standing ovation, as she’s dubbed the Community Champion for 2025, presented by the 2024 Champion, Norrms McNamara

FOR the second year in a row, we wanted to celebrate and say thanks to the unsung heroes who work selflessly behind the scenes to improve our communities.

And what a day it was. Bay Church in Paignton was the venue for the Torbay Community Champion Awards 2025, and the building virtually shook as wave after wave of applause rocked the rafters and nearly two hundred people showed their appreciation, often rising to their feet to reinforce the point.

The judges had whittled the 120-plus nominations down to shortlists of two to four across nine categories, and, as if that wasn’t difficult enough, they then had to choose winners. And therein lies the problem, they were all winners, worthy of praise.

So, to each of those who were nominated, the judges wanted to say that even if they did not progress to a short list or a trophy, you were all winners in their eyes, and the competition was unbelievably tough.

Over the next few weeks, I will share some of the citations that we considered when deciding who to shortlist and who to give the trophies to. Thank goodness the overall Community Champion was chosen by the audience on the day, and in a room packed with nearly 200 potential judges, it was a close-run thing.

But let us start with Tanny Stobart, the worthy recipient of that Community Champion accolade. She was one of three recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award alongside fellow Brixham resident, Carolyn Morgan and Major Ron Goodwin from Paignton.

Everyone who was shortlisted had a short citation to explain why they were deserving of the award, and having read them all, I was not the only judge left wondering how on earth they managed to pack so much in, often for little or no reward, either financial or otherwise.

Tanny (centre) with Community Builders (L to R) Joey Damiral, Sarah Greener, Helen Ambler & Usha Garrattley

Tanny’s citation was inevitably glowing and fulsome  – “Tanny was the founding Director of Play Torbay (formerly known as the Torbay Play Forum), promoting children’s play in the Bay. The aim of Play Torbay is quite simple: to provide fun, accessible play opportunities all year round, including playground adventures, play days and special events, based on an understanding that play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and a fundamental human right.

“Tanny has been the inspiration and driving force behind Play Torbay, which has touched so many people’s lives over the last 25 years. Play Torbay has put the fun and joy into children’s lives and given hope to many families for whom it has been a lifeline. Play Torbay has given children the opportunity for children to be creative and use their imagination through the adventure playgrounds at Indigos in Brixham and Wildfox in Paignton, simply to be children.

“Tanny has shown what we can all do when we care for each other. She has brought together collaborations of arts, playworkers and children that have given them a voice and helped them find their place in the world. Tanny has inspired others and given them room to grow. Without Tanny, there would be no Play Torbay.

“Tanny has also served on a number of national committees and developed policy and practice at a national level on children’s play. Tanny has developed nationally recognised playwork training in England and Wales. Tanny has presented her work with Play Torbay at national and international conferences and, in doing so, has put Torbay on the map as

a place where great things can happen.

“Tanny stood down as Director of Play Torbay as of 31st December 2025 after 25 years, but she will continue her work in the local community and has taken on a role with Play England to support national policy on children’s play.”

No wonder the room erupted in thunderous applause as the audience rose to its feet as one and continued to clap enthusiastically for several minutes. Tanny has touched many lives, and finally, she was getting just a little of the praise and thanks that she so deserves.

More on the other nominees and winners in the coming weeks, because they all merit their moments in the spotlight.