IT WAS a day of excitement as Chirnside’s Jasmine Lowrie was announced Young Person of the Year 2019.

Jasmine was given her award at the National Rural Touring awards in Bangor earlier this month after she saw off competition from other young people across the UK.

The prestigious award celebrates the breadth, passion and professionalism in the rural touring sector and recognises individuals who go above and beyond on behalf of the health and cohesion of their local community.

This year, the judges were poet and broadcaster, Ian McMillan, Director of the Federation of Scottish Theatres, Jude Henderson, and the Editor of Country Life Magazine, Kate Green.

They assessed nominees from all parts of the UK who have been pro-actively engaged with rural touring activity and who are likely to have a positive impact on rural touring in the future.

Jasmine is part of the Live Borders, Borders Young Creatives project, which works with young people to programme live performing arts events in the community.

The project aims to give young people a voice in their local community and introduce young people to a range of potential jobs and careers in the arts with the option to work towards an accredited arts qualification.

Jasmine said: “It was a surprise to win, I couldn’t believe it. I am really proud to have won and it was great to be there to celebrate.

Sometimes having to travel up to two hours to attend meetings, Jasmine showed amazing commitment to the project.

She also undertook work placements with the Eyemouth Hippodrome and George Lamb Photography, as well as linking up with the Chirnside Community Centre to put on live events in her own community.

Ayliffe Rose, Youth Arts Mentor with Live Borders nominated Jasmine due to her outstanding contribution to the project.

She added: “I’m so proud of Jasmine. She has done amazingly well to win this national award and has been a great asset to the Borders Live Touring & Borders Young Creatives scheme from Live Borders.

“Jasmine is a really positive role model for all young people in the Borders who think that nothing happens here. Jasmine is making it happen!”

The Borders Young Creatives project has launched its autumn programme, which was chosen by the young people.

Jasmine will be promoting a Harry Potter-themed murder mystery evening at the Chirnside Community Centre on November 22.

Further details of upcoming events will be available on the Live Borders website.