Foster parents and trial bike rider presented with awards

13 May 2024

Five foster parents and an emerging talent in the field of trial bike riding are the latest Powys residents to receive Silver Kite awards.

At a ceremony which took place on Thursday 25 April at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Chair of Powys County Council, Cllr Beverley Baynham presented Silver Kite awards to six people for their achievements or outstanding commitment to their communities. They are:

• Heather Summerfield, from Talgarth, is a key member of the community, having run a popular newsagents and general stores in the High Street for over 30 years, alongside her husband. She is a member and active supporter of many local groups, two of which she founded, as well as a Governor of Talgarth CP School, of which she was Chair in the last decade. Alongside all this, her and Brian have also been foster/adoptive parents for a significant number of young people over the decades.
• Janwyn & Alec Baker, from Rhayader, are celebrating over 23 years of being part of Powys's fostering family later this year, and during this time they have cared for a wide range of children, as well as adopting a child and are in the process of adopting again. One of the young adults they previously cared for has now gone on to become an approved foster carer in her own right.
• Brianna King, from Llanyre, is excelling in the sport of Trial Bike Riding, having been riding since she was 5 years old. Her dedication was rewarded last year when she became the Girls' A Class 50 50 British Champion. Since her rise to the top in the girls' class, Brianna is now competing with the adults and going from strength to strength and has placed first several times this year at various events. Brianna has travelled all over Europe competing, and in her spare time she is also raising money for Mid Powys Mind and attending college.
• Audrey & Alun Lewis, from Builth Wells, were approved by the fostering team in 1994, providing care to several young people. By 2009, they were caring long term for three young people, one of whom had Autism and ADHD. Audrey and Alun made the decision to become Special Guardians for the children, a move which provided long term security to the young people and a commitment to support them throughout their teenage years and the future. Once the three reached adulthood, Audrey and Alun returned to fostering and were re-approved in 2015, since when they have continued to care for teenagers, whilst still maintaining their commitment to support the young adults for whom they were Special Guardians.

Chair of Powys County Council, Cllr Beverley Baynham, said: "I would like to thank those who took the time to submit these nominations. It's a great honour and privilege to present these six residents with their awards.

"All winners were deserving for a variety of different reasons, but all just as worthy as each other, and I hope this award shows some recognition for the work, achievement, and difference, they make to our communities in Powys.

"Each one of them have shown an exceptional performance, or have made a real impact in their communities, and are truly deserving of their award. Congratulations to them all."

If you're interested in joining the Powys fostering family, please visit https://powys.fosterwales.gov.wales/

Silver 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. Nominations are made to the Chair of Council throughout the year by Councillors and awarded at the discretion of the Chair.