Knutsford’s community heroes for 2026 were recognised at the 2026 Knutsford Town Awards last week.
The Knutsford Town Awards, which are organised by Knutsford Town Council and sponsored by the Forum of Private Business, recognise and celebrate the Knutsford community and the people that collectively make Knutsford a thriving and dynamic community. Every winner resulted from a nomination submitted by the local community.
Speaking at the opening of the awards evening, Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley said “The Town Awards are always a highlight, because they remind us of something we don’t always stop to say out loud. Knutsford is not just a beautiful town —it’s a caring community. And that community is built by people like you.The volunteers, the organisers, the people who quietly get on with things, and the people who step forward when something needs doing, often without expecting any recognition at all.
So let me say this clearly – You are what makes Knutsford so Knutsford.”
The first award of the evening went to Knutsford Hosts who received the Community Award. Now in their thirteenth year, Knutsford Hosts has become an integral part of the town’s volunteering base and were recognised for as a standout example of community volunteering.
11 year old Jackson King swooped the Youth Award. After going on a trip with The Welcome he told his Mum that he was having such a good time and had decided he was going to raise more money so that more children could enjoy the trips with their families. Jackson followed through and raised over £500 to fund day trips for other families.
Knutsford’s Volunteer of the Year for 2026 was Christine Skinner who volunteers with Knutsford in Bloom and the ‘Friends of Knutsford Railway Station’. Christine has organises all the station maintenance volunteers who look after general maintenance and planting of flowers and puts a huge amount of effort into the planning and execution of work.
The Business Award went to Linden Stores. Linden Stores was recognised for both being a successful business actively supporting and participating in community events and supporting local wellness initiatives in collaboration with organisations such as The Men’s Shed and Stable Minds.
The Extra Mile Award recognises someone who, in their paid employment, goes above and beyond for the benefit of the community. This year’s award went to Knutsford Town Council’s Cemetery Groundskeeper Fergal Owens. Fergal was recognised for his key role in transforming the cemetery since the town council took back management and his flexibly to maintain the cemetery, ensuring he works during the Christmas break for visiting families and is conscious of Mothers Day and Easter to ensure visitors will find the cemetery in good order.
Three Civic Awards are presented each year – Knutsford’s own MBE recognises the individuals who give their time to betterment of the community.
The first award went to John Finnan for his community leadership in seeking to protect land at Longridge. John has been leading local opposition to the proposed housing development at Longridge, not in opposition to housing, but in opposition to this specific site being developed. John has stood up for the wildlife and local amenity value of this land, emphasising a case that the land should never have been allocated for development. John’s tenacity has seen the site designated as a ‘local wildlife site’ and CEC is considering his application to record new public rights of way. Whilst the development was approved by the Planning Inspectorate so may go ahead, John continues to push for openness and transparency in the process and speaks for a large part of the community who do not wish to see the development happen
The second award was for Pat Heath a stalwart of Knutsford Lions who has worked with the organisation for over 30 years. Pat has been a President of Knutsford Lions and was one of the first Managers for the then new Knutsford Heritage Centres. Through Knutsford Lions Pat has supported Great Places and The Welcome and along with other Lions, Pat has given up Christmas Day for many years to provide lunch for those who would otherwise be alone. Pat joins her husband Clive who was presented with a Civic Award in 2015.
The final award of the evening went to Frances McGhee, trustee and secretary for Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper. Frances helped guide the charity through COVID and ensure it continued operating through the challenges the pandemic presented and is also the liaison officer for the charity, the first contact who works with the listener and their family to get the right set up for them to hear the newspaper each week. If ever an envelope isn’t returned with the USB recordings, Frances contacts the listener to ensure they are OK, and if listeners have a problem with their device it’s Frances who heads out to help. Her nominee said “every group should have a Frances, but they cannot have ours as we value her too much”
Speaking on the night, Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley said “Thank you for being here. Thank you for everything you do in this town—often quietly, often without recognition, but always making a difference. Knutsford is at its very best when people come together like this, and tonight is a celebration of exactly that.”
The awards were organised by Knutsford Town Council and sponsored by the Forum of Private Business.
