Castle Point Sports Council has honoured the district's favourite sons.

The annual sports council awards were presented last night and saw three sportsmen and two clubs receive trophies.

Winners - lining up at the awards night were (l-r): Major Claude Hill, Jonathan Edwards, sports council president George Hogbin, deputy mayor Councillor Liz Brett, Canvey Coarse Anglers' Norman Gubb and John Bannister, plus John Willson Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Major Claude Hill received the senior sports personality award for a lifetime dedicated to racing pigeons.

Claude, who lives in Benfleet, still races his feathered friends and wins many races.

The 85-year-old started racing the birds before the Second World War and was commissioned for his work with carrier pigeons during the 1939-45 conflict.

Claude has held many position in the pigeon racing world, including president of the Essex Central Federation of Racing Pigeon Clubs and a position on the governing body for the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

Teenage cricketer Jonathan Edwards, 17, picked up the junior sports personality title. A member at Benfleet Cricket Club since he was nine, King John sixth former Jonathan has regularly represented Essex since 1995, competing for the county's under-17s last season.

A sporting all-rounder, Jonathan plays football for Canvey Island FC, captained King John School's rugby team and plays for Canvey Island Rugby Club.

Rayleigh Town Archery Club coach John Willson was named the administrator/ coach of the year for his work which is based at Deanes Sports College, in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley.

His dedication to bringing out the best in the children at the club has seen them win the British schools championship for the last three years.

John recently set up a group for disabled archers and is working with elite archers from around the county as part of the Junior Essex Development Initiative (JEDI).

Canvey Island Coarse Anglers received the team of the year award for their efforts to improve Canvey Lake in co-operation with the district council.

Having improved the lake for the public and anglers alike, the group have turned their attention to the lake in Woodside Park, Benfleet.

Castle Point Bowls Club picked up the Reg Harris Trophy to the second year running after leaving Hadleigh and South Benfleet bowls clubs standing.

The trio compete annually for the trophy, which was renamed from the Castle Point Trophy in tribute to Benfleet clubman and dedicated sportsman Reg Harris.

Published Thursday, February 6, 2003

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