Angela Kelly reports on the special luncheon to celebrate the Woman of the Year awards.

THE woman who spearheads Bolton and District Victim Support Service was made Bolton Woman of the Year 2001 at a successful awards luncheon.

Lesley Daniels was both surprised and delighted to win the award, and immediately paid tribute to Victim Support's local volunteers.

"If I am Woman of the Year then Victim Support is the Service of the Year because it is thanks to all the people involved there," she said.

Lesley was one of four finalists -- plus two special award winners -- to receive their trophies at the enjoyable annual event, this year at the Jarvis International Hotel in Blackrod for the first time.

She received her handsome crystal trophy and cheque for £250 for the organisation from the Mayoress of Bolton, Mrs Denise Wilkinson, applauded by the 200 or so guests.

The awards were the culmination of the event when speakers included entertainer Norman Prince, broadcaster Lorraine Worsley MBE and Bolton Evening News journalist Leslie Gent. MC for the event was BEN features editor Angela Kelly.

Each of the remaining three finalists received a crystal trophy and £50 for their organisation.

The Mayoress's special award for Dedication to Service went to Renee Smith, who has long been a stalwart of the Bolton Gateway Club for local disabled people, running events, trips and fund-raising events.

And the award for Caring for People went to Charlotte Fielding, wife of the pastor of Lee Clough Mission at Astley Bridge. For the past 30 years, she has helped found a real community home for local groups, all free of charge, to enable them to continue and thrive.

Of the runners up, Elizabeth Tatman could not attend the luncheon -- because she was in Romania helping out at a children's hospital.

The work was typical of Elizabeth, who is a well-known practical supporter of local children's organisations, with a lengthy involvement in several including Bolton Under Fives Forum and the Toy Library.

The hard work and dedication to racial equality and harmony shown by Yasmin Umarji earned her a runners-up award, and numerous accolades in the community.

While rising through the educational ranks to become an OFSTED inspector and a general advisor for primary schools, Yasmin also used her spare time to be a school governor and to work tirelessly for a variety of local causes.

Several pupils of St Andrew's Primary School in Breightmet wrote in nominating Edna Hamer for an award.

This 75-year-old "good neighbour" goes into the school each day to help children with their reading and in any way she can.

One little boy insisted in his nomination that Mrs Hamer should not only be the Woman of the Year "but Woman of the Universe!"

The Bolton Woman of the Year 2001, Lesley Daniels, had taken the job of manager of the Victim Support Service locally and extended it well into her own life.

Bolton Police nominated Lesley, explaining how she spent her evenings and weekends organising and taking part in fund-raising activities. Leading the volunteers by example had helped create a highly effective service for local victims of crime.

A raffle at the luncheon raised more than £400 for the Bolton Hospice, and the event highlighted the major contribution that women made to local charities and voluntary organisations.

The Mayoress declared herself "delighted" with the day, and, judging by the smiles of the many guests, so were they. The Bolton Evening News' table with (back row, from left) Rebecca Winrow (Commercial Services), Kathy Kay (Bolton RSPCA), Dorothy Benthom (Blackrod Friends of Chernobyl's Children), (front) Sam Hurst and Elizabeth Lyons (BEN advertising dept) Lynn Ashwell (BEN assistant editor) and Beverly Greenberg (BEN showbusiness writer) Ref: J1463/4 Bolton Music Service table with (back, from left) the Mayoress of Bolton Mrs Denise Wilkinson, Liz Forrest, Doreen Crowther, Carol Bannister, Mairead Pindar, (front) Gill Hopkins, Lynda Lescure, Val Deary and Maureen Topping Ref: J1463/8 Enjoying themselves with Woman of the Year 2001 finalist Yasmin Umarji (back right) are (back, from left) Jean Garlic, Jane Bailey, Shabe Rehman, (front) Gladys Gettins, Cllr Barbara Ronson, Cllr Margaret Clare, Cllr Alice Kilcoyne and Karen Roberts Ref: J1463/13 Cheers! The former Mayoress of Wigan, Kathryn Taylor, raises her glass with fellow guest Valerie Hough Ref: J1463/17 Special people: the former Mayoress of Bolton, Mrs Denise Wilkinson (front right) is pictured with Bolton Woman of the Year 2001 Lesley Daniels (centre) and special award winner Charlotte Fielding. Back (from left) are Michael Tatman (receiving an award on behalf of his wife Elizabeth), Yasmin Umarji and Edna Hamer Ref: J1464/33 Congratulations! Bolton Woman of the Year 2001 Lesley Daniels receives her crystal trophy from Mayoress Mrs Denise Wilkinson Ref: J1464/6 A smiling Lesley Daniels poses with her handsome crystal trophy as Bolton Woman of the Year 2001 Ref: J1464/12 Top table guests at the Woman of Bolton Luncheon and Awards, with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Alan Wilkinson and wife Denise, are (from left) Norman Prince, Leslie Gent, Angela Kelly, Angela Harrison and Lorraine Worsley Ref: J1465/30 Award-winners and top table guests pose in the sunshine with the former Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Alan Wilkinson and his wife Denise. Woman of the Year Lesley Daniels is pictured left with (back row) Norman Prince, Michael Tatman, Yasmin Umarji, Leslie Gent, Angela Harrison and Lorraine Worsley, (centre row, from left) Charlotte Fielding, Angela Kelly and Edna Hamer Ref: J1465/26a The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, Mayoress Mrs Denise Wilkinson, and speaker Leslie Gent applaud the winners Ref: J1465/17 Entertainer Norman Prince in full flow -- in words and song! Ref: J1465/13a All smiles from (back row, from left) Barbara Dawson, Judy Hotchkiss and Lynsey Fairhurst, (front) Debbie Nichols, Sue France and Lisa Chadwick Ref: J1465/6a