A FORMER Newport City Homes board member took home an award last week.

Cissie Beale was named ‘trustee volunteer of the year’ at the annual awards of the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) at Newport Centre on Thursday, October 12.

A spokeswoman for the housing association said the award was in recognition of years of voluntary work within the city

She said Mrs Beale retired as a board member at Newport City Homes in September following eight years’ service.

Upon receiving the award, Mrs Beale said: “It was a lovely evening and I was delighted to win. My son and daughter were with me and we had a lovely time.

“It was a big surprise. There were lots of people there that I hadn’t seen for a long time. Everyone was cheering and clapping. It was a wonderful.”

Mrs Beale said she has always volunteered and that she loves giving back to the community.

“Newport has been very good to me and I love living here,” she said.

NCH board chair Nic Somerville said Mrs Beale is an “absolute inspiration”.