It has been decided to change the plans for a memorial fund that was supposed to be created in Denbigh in honor of a legendary figure from the sport of Formula One who was born there. Tom Pryce was just 27 years old when he was sadly killed during the 1977 South African Grand Prix. The event took place in Johannesburg. His passing happened in the middle of the competition.
Following a trip to an elementary school in the neighborhood, the organizers of the event decided to abandon their plans to create a sculpture in Tom’s honor in the midst of the town center in Denbigh. Originally, this was one of their goals for the event. Now, 45 years after he died away, his memory will live on owing to an award that has been named after him: the Thomas Maldwyn Pryce Inspirational Pupil of the Year Award. This award was established in his honor.
There is already a portrait of Tom Pryce that hangs in the neighboring town of Ruthin that recognizes his achievements, and a stretch of the track at the Anglesey Circuit is known as the Tom Pryce Straight in honor of the revered figure from the local community.
One of the persons responsible for arranging the fund is Dave Jones, who resides in St. Asaph and is a friend of Tom’s “The success of the Tom Pryce exhibition that was presented in 2018 at Denbigh Museum served as the impetus for the concept that was eventually developed into the appeal. The prospective Formula One ace attended his alma mater, Ysgol Frongoch, where he dreamt of one day being a great motor racing driver. The exhibition was hosted in his former school.
“Our initial objective was to create a suitable and remarkable work of public art that would motivate all of us, but most especially our children and young people in general, to be the best that they can be, whatever their ambitions may be,” Organizers traveled to Ysgol Frongoch, the primary school that Tom attended in the 1950s, to speak to the pupils there about the incredible trip that Tom made on his route to becoming successful on a worldwide scale. This was done so that the students may learn from Tom’s experiences.
Dave shared the following with the students: “We spoke to two groups of kids in the playground about the previous pupil of Fron Goch who came from modest beginnings but realized his aspirations of being a famous Grand Prix racing driver by working hard and being dedicated.””
The children, who were immensely fascinated by Tom, enquired about his background and the things he had accomplished.
“We asked them about their goals and dreams, and then we told them the story of Tom to show how, if you have the right mindset, the possibilities that lie in front of you are almost unbounded. At the end of the day, everyone was given the chance to take a turn behind the wheel of both the racing kart and the racing car.”
Richard Peacock, a former British Formula One Champion and the current owner of the Ty Croes Racing Circuit in Anglesey, paid a visit to the school. Richard Peacock is also the current owner of the circuit. He brought along his immaculately prepared Formula Ford 1600 racing car, which was very comparable to the vehicle that Tom began his career racing. He also brought along his Formula Ford 1600 racing helmet. They had brought one of their go-karts for the students to try out, and he was there with a member of the crew from the Glan Gors Karting Track in Cerrig y Drudion.
It was after this visit to the school and the reaction of the children to Tom’s story that the organizers realized that the ideal way to pay tribute to Tom’s legacy would not be to erect a statue in the center of Denbigh but rather to inspire the next generation. This realization came about as a result of the visit to the school. They came to this realization after observing how the children responded when Tom told them his story. It was decided that each year, a trophy with Tom’s name on it would be given to a student at Frongoch who had either demonstrated the qualities of a caring and kind nature in their efforts to assist others or had worked diligently toward the accomplishment of a goal with a great deal of enthusiasm, passion, and determination. It was decided that the recipient of the award would receive a trophy bearing Tom’s name.
On a yearly basis, Ysgol Frongoch will receive a contribution in the amount of one thousand British pounds. These funds will be used to give students access to exciting new opportunities that will assist them in accomplishing their objectives. The award will be presented on Tom’s birthday, which is on June 11 each year, and the winner will be announced on that day as well.
It is believed that Nella, Tom’s widow, has given the award her blessing and has expressed her satisfaction at the idea of Tom’s name being linked with young people. Nella is said to have expressed her happiness at the prospect of Tom’s name being associated with young people. Dave Jones noted that in spite of Tom’s unending passion for children, he was unable to experience the “joys of being a father” as a consequence of “the terrible hand of destiny.”