Wales footballer and 11 others given a 'set of wings' by council

04 August 2023

A Welsh international footballer has received an award from the Chair of Powys County Council for her achievements in the women's game at the age of just 19.

Carrie Jones, from Newtown, was presented with a Gold Kite award by Cllr Beverley Baynham during a ceremony at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 26 July.

She began her sporting journey at the age of seven, playing for Newtown White Stars, before switching to play boys' football as soon as she was allowed to due to rule restrictions, with Berriew Juniors.

She has since gone on to captain Wales Under 15s, play for Wales Under 17s and made her first appearance for the senior side aged just 15, playing in the Euro 2021 qualifiers. Now signed to Manchester United, spending last season on loan at Leicester City, she has won 20 caps.

At the ceremony, Cllr Baynham also presented Silver Kite awards to 11 people for their exceptional performance or outstanding commitment to their communities. They are:

• Tracy Lewis, from Llanbister, who is involved in her local YFC, runs a weekly catch-up club for seniors and has set up a monthly beer and bowls night, while also working for local charity, Mid Powys Mind.
• Leanne Davies, County Chair for Brecknock YFC, who is dedicated to her role of promoting and supporting the youth organisation and area.
• Ethan Orton, a badminton player from Brecon, who recently attended the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin representing Team GB, where he won a silver medal in the mixed doubles and a gold medal in the singles.
• Joshua Longbottom, from Brecon, who also attended the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin representing Team GB, competing in the shot put, 100m and the mixed relay. He won a bronze medal in the shot put.
• Kate Rayner, from Newtown, who is the co-ordinator of her local Community Speedwatch group. She is out in all weathers aiming to protect her community, has campaigned for speed limit reductions and an active travel path to support safe walking and cycling.
• Gary Williams who has served as secretary of Welshpool Rugby club for 30 years, secretary of North Wales Rugby for 20 years, and 10 years ago he set up 'The Oval Zone', a free online magazine promoting all rugby clubs.
• Roche Davies who has served on Llandinam Community Council for 58 years, has also been a member of Llandinam Village Hall Committee and has represented his area on Powys County Council. During his spell as a county councillor, he raised £10,000 for Cancer Research UK and The Alzheimer's Society, during his year as Chair in 2014-15.
• Delyth Powell is County Organiser for Radnor YFC. She is dedicated to making sure things happen in the youth organisation and to motivating and encouraging others to achieve their potential too.
• John Wilding, from Norton, has spent many decades, offering his time, advice, materials and machinery to his community. He retired from Presteigne and Norton Town Council at the last elections but after two months he decided he missed it so much he was co-opted again!
• John Lloyd, from Rhayader, has dedicated many hours of his time to the promotion of the town and supporting local business. At the age of 86, you might think he would be winding down but he has continues to put others first, whether it is driving people to appointments or helping with community and church events.

Chair of Powys County Council, Cllr Beverley Baynham, said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to send in a nomination. It was no mean feat trying to whittle the nominations down, but it was a great honour and privilege to present the individuals with their awards.

"All winners were deserving for a variety of different reasons, but all just as worthy as each other. 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."

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