Leading Wales Award for Blaina
The Revd Roger Hewett, Vicar of Blaina and Area Dean of Blaina Gwent, has won the category ‘Leadership Success through Partnership, to develop skills in the work place or the community’.
Roger learned of his success when he and his wife, Molly, attended the presentation lunch at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, on 21 February. Molly described it as ‘a wonderful experience – like being at the Oscars – and I am so proud of him and pleased for Blaina and the team he heads.’
The Leading Wales Awards recognise great leadership at all levels across the public, private and voluntary sectors in Wales, celebrating individuals whose excellent leadership skills have made a strong impact and resulted in positive change within their organisations. Roger was nominated for his work in the communities of Blaina and Nantyglo. He is dedicated to looking after not only his parish, but the community as a whole. He is chairman of Blaina Community First, a member of the Chartist Regeneration Committee, and active in projects involving young children and the elderly. He has been the person behind most of the development which has taken place in the community in the areas he takes responsibility for.
When he first learned of his nomination, Roger was somewhat embarrassed at being singled out. He said: ‘I am one of a team, and even the most recent members of that team are as important as I am. The work I do is part of the church’s programme of involvement with the community. Through such projects as our Kids’ Clubs, our Care and Share lunch club for the elderly, our work with the Hospice of the Valleys, we are working to build the confidence and the capacity of the community to look after itself.’
Roger didn’t expect to win, he thought the quality of the other people in his section was outstanding. But after the thrill of the presentation he commented ‘this award is good for the community because it shows we can do it, it is good for the parish because they are part of the team, it is good for the Communites First Board who have worked so hard to make things happen in Blaina, and good for the Chartist Regeneration Group which is well-supported by the Council of Churches and the Town Council.’
Congratulating Roger on his award, the Bishop said: ‘I am delighted that Roger has been recognised for his extraordinary gifts in serving the community in his valley parishes. He has reached out in loving service to the people he serves and has given them self confidence and a new sense of community. Roger is someone who has made a real difference by taking the church to the people, and his congregations are growing as a result. For a priest to receive such an award is an indication that the Church in Wales has a significant part to play in the life of our country.'