The Knutsford Town Awards aim to recognise those who make Knutsford such a special community. Every year we put a call out to the community for nominations across five categories:

Civic Award – for up to three people who give up their time voluntarily to undertake work in the community
Youth Award – presented to someone aged 21 or under who is giving their time to support the community
Business Award – for a business which has supported or worked with the community
Community Award – for a voluntary organisation delivering a service to the community
Extra Mile Award – given to someone who as part of their paid job is going above and beyond providing a service to the community

The Knutsford and District Youth Council introduced a School’s Sustainability Award in 2020. This goes to a business that demonstrates environmental awareness in their products and supply chain.

Our Sponsor

The Town Awards have been sponsored by the Forum of Private Business since they were launched in 2013.

Based at Ashley Showground just outside Knutsford, the FPB is a not-for-profit business support organisation providing advice, support and protection to small and medium sized businesses across the UK.

HOW TO MAKE NOMINATIONS

We don’t just pluck names out of the air – we rely on nominations coming forward from the local community.

Nominations for the 2025 Town Awards will open in January.

THE HALL OF FAME

THE CIVIC AWARD

2024

Andrew Malloy

for his community leadership as a former councillor and involvement in numerous organisations

Maggie Clayton

for her dedicated service to The Welcome

Ann and John Long

for support of Just Drop In and youth mental health

2023

Rob Lyons

for his leadership with 1st Knutsford Scouts

Judy Clifford

for her support to the community around The Welcome

Gemma Jackson

for founding and leading the ‘Wrap Up Knutsford’ project

2022

Eileen Podmore

for long and dedicated service to the community of Knutsford through Knutsford Royal May Day, Cranford WI and the Knutsford League of Hospital Friends

Terry Griffiths

for her leading role representing the community in planning matters through the Nether Ward Community Group and her involvement in various community organisations

Paul Buttrick

for service to the community through his presidency and leadership of the Knutsford Lions through the pandemic

2021

Russell Coulston

for his work leading the youth activities at Toft Cricket Club

Sarah Flannery

for her work creating and managing the Knutsford Hosts

Kevin Griffiths

his work improving the environment of Knutsford through a number of community organisations and projects

2020

Mark Radcliffe

for his work curating events as part of the Knutsford Music Festival

Gary Davies

for over 40 years of dedicated service to the youth of Knutsford through his work with the Knutsford and District Scout Association

Ian Robertson

for dedicated work expanding the successes of the Hope Central foodbank

2019

Beryl Jenyons

in recognition of her outstanding voluntary contribution to the Welcome

Rob Walley

for leadership of 2nd Knutsford Scouts which has seen fundraising, membership and volunteering increase

Ronnie and John Mills

for their work with Knutsford Stroke Club where they have held a number of roles for almost 30 years

2018

Stuart Willis

for his voluntary work with the Knutsford Fire Cadets and Knutsford Community First Responders

Debbie Jamison

for her role in setting up the Knutsford Residents of Over Ward group and her time as Chair of Friends of the Moor

Hazel Cussons

for her voluntary work at the Welcome Café

2017

Sarah Pownall

for campaigning to protect Knutsford Children’s Centre and her work on the Strong Women project

Brian and Sylvia Chaplin

for their involvement in the Neighbourhood Plan and Sylvia’s work on commemorating WWI

Tony Leadbeater

for a life of service to the youth of Knutsford through the Scout Association

2015

Vivien Davies

for many years of services to the community in local government and an array of community organisations

Clive Heath

for 30 years of service to the Knutsford Lions and maintenance of public land around Bexton Lane

Jamie Evans

for dedicated service delivering youth football to Longridge and Shaw Heath

2014

Vivienne Pike

for contributions locally and nationally to the development of young Knutsfordians through Scouting.

Kevin Hollins

dedicated service to the Knutsford Academy and its integration with the wider Knutsford community

Derek Empson MBE

for his work with a number of community organisations including the Old Folks Club, Town Plan group and for developing the Community Emergency Plan.

2013

Jan McCappin

for dedication to so many different community groups including the Town Plan & Heritage Centre.

Patricia McAndrew & Louise Reed

for their role as volunteer youth leaders at the Welcome Café

Rowena Acton

for her work in Longridge and Shaw Heath

THE YOUTH AWARD

2024

Maya Chudley

a junior art ambassador and supporter of various community initiatives

2023

Liv and Jess Johnson

for their support of 7th Knutsford Brownies as part of their Bronze DofE award

2022

Brooke McAteer & Ben Ormerod

for their excellent public speaking in support of 20mph speed limits on behalf of the youth of Knutsford at the Cheshire East Council Highways Committee meeting

2021

Duncan Jones

for his work as a leader with Knutsford Scouts

2020

Lillie Bryers and Lucas Cronan

for helping to keep the Moor free from litter by undertaking regular litter picks.

2019

Lenny Turner, Jake Phillips & Eleanor Woods

for organising an annual charity concert which has raised thousands of pounds for charities

2018

Emily Coffey

for her voluntary work with the Knutsford First Responders

2017

Nathan Brown

for dedicated voluntary work at the Welcome Café

2015

Hannah Newton

for her voluntary work with the Welcome Café

2014

Emily May Walker

for her work with the 2nd Toft Guides and wider girl-guiding movement in Knutsford

THE BUSINESS AWARD

2024

Roberta Dyer, Roberta Beauty Redefined

for consistent support of business community initiatives

2023

Tatton Perk

for dedicated support to the local community including offering free bike checks and a warmth bank

2022

Co-op Knutsford

In recognition of their proactive engagement with the Knutsford community and excellent customer service

2021

The Tea Room

in recognition of their wide involvement in community activity

2020

Knutsford Market Hall Traders

for rising to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring the vulnerable in the Knutsford community had access to regular food deliveries

2019

Oliver Valves

in their ongoing support of local charities

her instrumental role in founding the Pumpkin Path and Bunny Hop as well as supporting numerous community organisations throughout the years

2018

Julia Chard of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe

2017

The Knutsford Directory

for supporting and promoting community activities and events

2015

DPM Sheldons

for supporting a range of community organisations

2014

Stefanie Meachin of Gusto

for her engagement with fellow traders creating positive spirit for visitors and the community

2013

Peter Murray of Pulse of Perfumery

for his work bringing the business community together

THE COMMUNITY AWARD

2024

Knutsford and District Good Neighbours Scheme

for removing the barrier of transport for the community to access vital medical appointments

2023

Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper

for over 45 years have been supporting the visually impaired community

2022

The Friendship Cafe

for their support of carers and those living with dementia

2021

Knutsford Rotary Club

for their work coordinating the marshalling of the COVID vaccination clinics

2020

We are Knutsford

for mobilising and coordinating a rapid community response to the coronavirus pandemic ensuring the most vulnerable in our community had access to the support they needed

2019

Canute Lunch Club

for their work combating loneliness through providing a weekly lunch club

2018

Lower Moss Wood

for providing sanctuary for injured wildlife and providing educational visits for children

2017

Knutsford First Responders Trust

delivering a range of community safety services including defibrillator training, health screening and an emergency service

2015

Knutsford Beer Festival

for delivering a successful town event and raising funds for local good causes

2014

The Welcome Café

for being the heart of the Longridge community and encouraging interaction through a wide range of activities and community groups

2013

Knutsford Lions

for the varied work they undertake across the entire town.

THE EXTRA MILE AWARD

2024

Nicola Marshall

for outstanding leadership of Knutsford Together

2023

Jack Street

for his support to customers which has enabled the older members of the community to access the various services on offer

2022

Ximena Massam

for outstanding service to the community trough her work as chef at the Welcome Cafe

2021

Anthony Naylor

Watch Manager, Cheshire Fire Service

for delivering wide community support through his role

2020

Chris Pountain

PCSO, Cheshire Police

for ensuring the Knutsford community receives regular policing information by social media and newsletter and his dedicated engagement with all aspects of the wider community.

2019

Bob Garner

Town Ranger, Knutsford Town Council

for engendering true community though his entertaining use of twitter and we demonstrating immense pride in everything he does

ARE THERE MISSING YEARS?

The Youth Award was introduced in 2014.

The Town Awards programme was reviewed during 2016 and no awards were presented. It returned in 2017 when it moved from being part of Civic Sunday to the Annual Town Meeting.

The Extra Mile Award was introduced in 2019.

Special Awards

Occasionally, the decision panel may award special awards. These go to people identified either through nominations or knowledge of the panel which fall outside the main award categories or warrant special mention.

Knitted in Knutsford – for the creation of the poppy displays (2018)
2056 (Knutsford) Squadron ATC – for establishing a marching band for town parades (2019)
Sandra Curties, former Town Centre Manager, for outstanding service to the business community (2022)
Dan Belcher, Guys Barbers – Outstanding customer service whilst facing personal challenges (2023)
Val Bryant, Knutsford Heritage Centre – Outstanding Contribution to the Heritage of Knutsford (2024)