Bryan Foley Awards

The Mayor of Barry, Councillor Dennis Clarke, along with Town Councillors and invited guests gathered at the Town Hall on the evening of Thursday 3 July 2025 to celebrate individuals making an outstanding contribution to their communities by presenting the winners of the Bryan Foley Awards.

The Bryan Foley Awards were established by Barry Town Council in 2021 to commemorate the late Bryan Foley for his tireless community work in Barry. At this annual ceremony, the awards are presented to individuals who have shown excellence and commitment through their volunteer work, and as members of the organisation they belong to. The Bryan Foley Awards are open to all those who volunteer within an organisation operating in Barry and to all ages and levels within those organisations.

As a part of Barry Town Council’s 50 year celebrations, a new category was added this year – the “Young Person’s Award for Services to the Community”, alongside the existing “Community Champion” award.

The standard of nominations across both categories was so high that additional “Highly Commended” awards were presented.

The winner of the Young Person’s Award was Dionne McCarthy of Motion Control Dance, for her dedication to learning, growing and leading young dancers in the Vale.

Geoff Horton was this year’s winner in the “Community Champion” category, having volunteered at 372 Barry Squadron since 1986, instructing, inspiring and supporting thousands of young people who have joined the Air Cadets.

Lara Ward and Megan Merrett were presented with “Highly Commended” Awards.

The event also saw performances from the winners of Bro Radio and Mack Events’ Search for a Star Competition: Finn Davies and Izzy Hornsey.

Barry Town Council opened up nominations in November 2024, with the winner being agreed at a meeting of the council’s Commemorative Naming Advisory Committee on Monday 14 April 2025. Councillors were joined by Bryan’s daughter, Emma Foley, to help with the judging.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Additional Background Information on the Winners:

Dionne McCarthy
Dionne McCarthy was also nominated by Emma Mallam, for her work with the Motion Control Dance charity, and her dedication to learning, growing and leading young dancers in the Vale. Dionne is the winner of the Bryan Foley Award 2025 in the “Young Person’s Award for Services to the Community” category.

Dionne’s hard work within the community has led her to complete her level 1 and level 2 dance leaders certificate at Motion Control Dance. Dionne has been a member of Motion Control Dance for over 10 years, volunteering for the last 3 years as a young dance leader. She leads the children’s street dance classes and the disability classes for ages 5 to 40 years. Keen to take on extra volunteer hours and responsibility, Dionne has even helped to plan and deliver a half term scheme for ages 5 to 7 years, creating a dance in a week and helping to create the dance show whilst also leading her own dance recital and supervising young people backstage.

Emma Mallam stated in her nomination that: “Dionne is an exceptional and inspiring young lady who is committed to helping others and should be recognised for her continued support to our dance charity. Her weekly schedule is full of evidence that she puts others before herself and will do anything to help out. This is the reason for my nomination as all our teaching staff are truly grateful and appreciative for everything she does for Motion Control Dance.”

Geoff Horton
The Bryan Foley Award for “Community Champion” was awarded to Geoff Horton. Geoff was nominated by Sqn Ldr Jason Horton of RAFAC for his tireless volunteer work as a civilian instructor at 372 Barry Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Geoff has volunteered at 372 Barry Squadron since 1986 and during this time he has instructed, inspired and supported thousands of young people who have joined the Air Cadets. Prior to becoming an instructor with the RAF Air Cadets, Geoff spent 22 years in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer. Geoff is known for instructing the senior / master exam classifications – the highest level of cadet exams – drawing on his Royal Air Force aircraft engineering career to teach the cadets highly technical aviation related subjects in a friendly, encouraging and supportive manner, again with hundreds of Air Cadets benefitting. Many cadets themselves have gone on to careers within the aviation industry and also the Royal Air Force in part due to the instruction / inspiration by Geoff.

Jason Horton stated in his nomination that: “Volunteering is an area which Geoff has excelled at. Geoff has always been passionate about the Air Cadets who achieve/gain many experiences for themselves; but that they should also “give something back to their community”, through general assistance or fundraising. Geoff has worked wonders to encourage the cadets who freely give of their time throughout the year – often providing between 800-1000 hours a year of assistance and raising approximately £2-£5K per annum. Geoff himself volunteers +250hrs a year with 372 Squadron as well as a further +£200 a year.”

Megan Merrett
Megan Merrett was nominated by Hannah Cogbill for her contribution in the voluntary sector, leading to Megan being awarded one of the Highly Commended awards. Megan is an inspirational person who volunteers at a number of charities and organisations, including Cadog’s Corner & is Chair of Governors at Cadoxton Primary School.

Hannah said in her nomination that: “Megan Merrett’s exceptional behaviour, tireless dedication, and lasting impact on the Cadoxton community make her a worthy nominee for the Bryan Foley Community Champion Award. Her leadership in Cadog’s Corner and Cadoxton Primary, as well as her role in establishing Wales’ first Big Bocs Bwyd, has transformed the lives of many disadvantaged families, providing them with the tools and support to overcome adversity.”

Lara Ward
Lara Ward was nominated by Emma Mallam for her contribution in the voluntary sector, leading to Lara being awarded the second Highly Commended award. Lara is an amazing person who volunteers with Motion Control Dance, playing a huge role in developing the older person’s dance programme in the Vale.

Emma said in her nomination that: “Her inclusive teaching approach is amazing, as she allows each member to be seen, valued and heard in every session showing her wealth of experience in working in this area. and those with health issues to enjoy dance. Her commitment to making a difference through movement is evident in all her sessions as she is able to get anyone dancing and having fun.”