AN awards ceremony for a Ribble Valley school proved to be a poignant occasion as two former pupils were remembered.

Special awards were dedicated to Tom Purdy and Matthew Alston, who both died last year, at the awards evening at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, for students from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

Tom Purdy, 15, of West Bradford, who was a year 10 pupil, died after suffering a ruptured appendix in March last year.

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Alston, from Simonstone, who had just finished his A-level examinations, was preparing to go and study international business at a Northumbria University when he died in a car crash in Whalley Road, Read, in August last year.

Headteacher Judith Child said: “We are presenting two new prizes this year to celebrate the lives of two of our students who are still very much in our thoughts.

“Tom was a talented student who excelled in the subject of Food Technology and represented the school in the Future Chef Competition.

“And the Matthew Alston trophy for Football reflects Matthew’s love of this sport. A talented student and an excellent sportsman, Matthew represented the school in the 1st XI football team with great success.”

Prizes were handed out by Sir John Lewis, retired Principal and CEO of Dixons City Academy, Bradford.

Awards winners

Tom Purdy Memorial Trophy for excellence in Food Technology: Ben Buchanan.
Matthew Alston Memorial Trophy: Hugh Ainsworth.
Sir Ralph Assheton Prize for outstanding GCSE results: Alexander Foote
Veevers Cup for outstanding progress: Matthew Cole
Kenyon Cup for Athletic Prowess: Brogan Townend
Donald Spencer Prize for Physical Education: Emily Zakrzewski
Derek Edmondson Sports Cup: Hannah Griffiths
Hughes Cup for Sportsman of the Year: Jayne Ashe
Evelyn Garnett Prize for Art: Rachel Heys
Joseph Fairweather Prize for Biology: Samuel Shields
William Kilner Prize for Business Studies: Leah Sandamas
Frank Dawson Prize for Chemistry: Thomas Bailey
Charles Myers Prize for Music: John Wickham