Several women from across Teignbridge have been selected as finalists for the West Country Women Awards.

The finalists were announced at an event at Powderham Castle on Thursday (October 16).

Rebecca Hewitt, chair of the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and Teignbridge District Council’s community safety and safeguarding manager has been shortlisted for the combating violence against women and girls award.

The CSP works with numerous agencies including councils, emergency services, the NHS and schools across Teignbridge, the South Hams and West Devon. It aims to tackle community safety issues, such as crime, anti-social behaviour and exploitation.

‘It’s a team achievement,’ Rebecca commented. ‘I’m representing an outstanding partnership that makes the work we do possible.’

Also shortlisted for the combating violence against women and girls award is Lucy Rhodes, a lead youth work practitioner at Space Youth Services, which has a youth club in Newton Abbot. Lucy, who leads a project that works with schools to prevent harmful sexual behaviour, said she was honoured to be shortlisted.

L-R Lucy Rhodes, Mel Sevieri and Rebecca Hewitt. Photo: Aisling Magill
L-R Lucy Rhodes, Mel Sevieri and Rebecca Hewitt. Photo: Aisling Magill (Aisling Magill)

A bed and breakfast and campsite owner from Lustleigh was named as a finalist in the green business of the year award. Michelle Grist, who runs Wray Valley, puts sustainability at the heart of her business. Last year, Michelles’s Wray Valley won the Devon Women in Business eco-friendly business of the year and achieved a gold at the Devon Tourism Awards.

In the property and construction award category, Buckfastleigh’s Lindsay Spence from Spence Property Solutions was named as a finalist. ‘Being a woman in the property industry can be tough at times, but with resilience, determination, and by lifting each other up, we are unstoppable,’ Lindsay commented when she heard the news.

Lindsay Spence has been shortlisted for the women in property and construction category in the 2025 West Country Women Awards. (Photo: Aisling Madill)
Lindsay Spence has been shortlisted for the women in property and construction category in the 2025 West Country Women Awards. (Photo: Aisling Madill) (Aisling Madill)

In the best supporting act category, Dawn Rainbow, head of operations at the Newton-Abbot headquartered Devon Football Association, was shortlisted.

The winners of the awards will be revealed at a gala dinner in Plymouth on November 28.