Tag Archives: Town Awards

The shortlist for this year’s Knutsford Town Awards has been announced ahead of the award ceremony next 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. Nominations were submitted by the local community.

The community is invited to attend the awards ceremony to cheer on the nominees. The awards form part of the annual town meeting on Wednesday 29^th April at 7pm in Knutsford Little Theatre.

Three young people have been shortlisted for the Youth Award which recognises those aged 21 and under who are supporting their community. One award will be made, and the nominees are:

• Jackson King for raising money to enable more families to attend trips with The Welcome
• Lydia Wharfe for her voluntary work with Knutsford Brownies
• Ella Williamson for her voluntary work with Knutsford Brownies

The Business Award recognises businesses which give back to the community. One award will be presented, and this year’s shortlist is:

• Harrison Wild (of Oliver Wild) for support of members of the business community
• Linden Stores for supporting community fundraising
• Satya Sanctuary for supporting community fundraising and offering wellbeing sessions  

Three nominees have been shortlisted for the Extra Mile Award which goes to those working in paid employment but going above and beyond to the benefit of the community. The shortlist is:

• Eve Nolan of Dexter and Jones for her support of other hospitality workers
• Clare of Royal Mail for proactively supporting residents who need additional assistance
• Fergal Owens of Knutsford Town Council for his work as Groundskeeper at Knutsford Cemetery

The Volunteer of the Year award recognises outstanding volunteering over the last twelve months – nominations under this category are submitted by the organisation themselves to single out an exceptional volunteer. Three nominees have been shortlisted:

• David Durrant for volunteer work with Friends of the Heath
• Tish Owen for volunteer work with the Tatton Park Charitable Trust
• Christine Skinner for volunteer work with the Friends of Knutsford Railway Station

Nominations were also invited to celebrate the community organisations that work to deliver services and support the town. The Community Award is made to an organisation to  recognise what they do for Knutsford. One award is made.

• Knutsford Community Garden for transforming a neglected space in Knutsford into a community garden
• Knutsford Hosts for providing volunteer support for countless Knutsford organisations
• Knutsford Methodist Church for supporting the welfare of the Knutsford community, in particular providing the Jolly Tots toddler group for parents and children

The star awards of the evening are the Civic Awards, the ‘Knutsford MBE’, which celebrate the individuals who lead the community and give their time for the betterment of Knutsford.  Three Civic Awards are presented each year, and this year’s shortlist is:

• Chris Arnold for dedicated service to the youth of Knutsford through the 2025 (Knutsford) Squadron ATC
• Julie Brinnand for leadership at 7th Knutsford Brownies
• Turid Dinsmore for leadership of the Knutsford Community Garden group
• John Finnan for leading the community in seeking the protection of land at Longridge
• Pat Heath for dedicated service to Knutsford Lions, Brook Street Chapel and a number of other organisations over many years
• Francis McGhee for dedicated service as Secretary to the Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper

Town Mayor, Cllr Bryan Hartley said “”The panel was impressed with the variety and quality of nominations in the Town Awards, it is truly amazing to read more about the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes in our community.

I am looking forward to announcing this year’s winners and celebrating their contribution to Knutsford”

The awards are presented at the Knutsford Town Meeting on Wednesday 29^th April at 7pm in Knutsford Little Theatre.

The community is invited to submit its nominations for this year’s Knutsford Town Awards.

The Knutsford Town Awards recognises and celebrates the Knutsford community and the people that collectively make Knutsford a thriving and dynamic community. The winners each year are always chosen based on nominations put forward by those in their community.

Nominations can be submitted for any of the following categories:

Civic Award which recognises the work of individuals. Thee awards are made in this category with previous winners including Beer Festival Chair and former councillor Andrew Malloy, May Day Committee stalwart Eileen Podmore and scout leader Rob Lyons.

Youth Award which recognises those aged 21 and under. Last year the award went to Ella Williamson for her volunteering with Crosstown Community Orchard.

Business Award recognises businesses who give something back to their community, previous winners have included Tatton Perk, Oliver Valves and Peter Murray of Pulse of Perfumery.

Community Award shines the light on local charities, committees, and other groups. Stable Minds scooped the prize in 2025 joining the likes of Knutsford First Responders Trust, Canute Lunch Club and The Welcome in the hall of fame.

Extra Mile Award is for those who go above and beyond in their paid work for the benefit of the local community. There was no award made in 2025, so nominations in this category are particularly sought!

Committees involved in managing community organisations are also able to submit a nomination for the “Volunteer of the Year” award.

Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley said “During my time as Town Mayor I have been amazed by the incredible work that goes on in our community and these awards aim to shine a light on this. I want 2026 to be the year we see a record number of nominations – so to each and every person reading this I want you to think about which groups and people inspire you in our community and get a nomination submitted today” 

Since their launch in 2013 the Town Awards has been generously sponsored by the Forum of Private Business. The awards are organised by Knutsford Town Council and will be presented as part of the annual town meeting on Wednesday 29^th April at Knutsford Little Theatre.

Nominations close on Friday 10^th April.

The shortlist for the 2025 Knutsford Town Awards has now been announced, with residents invited to attend the Town Meeting and Town Awards Presentation on Wednesday 30^th April at 7pm in Knutsford Little Theatre.

The Town Awards are run by Knutsford Town Council and were first held in 2013. The awards have been sponsored by the Forum of Private Business since they were launched.

Five individuals have been shortlisted for the Civic Award. Each year three awards are made under this category, which recognises the contribution of individuals to the community. This year’s nominees are:

• Ian Albiston for voluntary work with Hope Central
• Amanda Gamble for voluntary work at The Welcome
• Paul Langley for supporting a wealth of community activity
• Peter Sharratt for voluntary efforts around the Heath
• Cathryn Walley for leading roles in Friends of St John’s Wood and formerly Manor Park School PTA and a governor of Manor Park School

Three young people have been shortlisted for the 2025 Youth Award. Like the Civic Awards this goes to an individual for their work in the community and is open to those aged 21 and under. This year’s nominees are:

• Isabelle Foster for volunteering with 7^th Knutsford Brownies
• Hattie Southall for clearing flood water on Boothfields
• Ella Williamson for volunteering at the Crosstown Community Orchard

A new category was introduced this year which was only open for nominations from organisations for their own volunteers. The Volunteer of the Year award will recognised exemplary volunteering for a specific organisation in 2024. Two nominations have been shortlisted for the inaugural award:

• Taf Evans (Crosstown Community Orchard)
• Jenny Collis (Knutsford Heritage Centre)

The Community Award goes to a community organisation to recognise the work they do in the community. Three organisations are in the running to take home the shield in 2025:

• Hope Central
• Knutsford Little Theatre
• Stable Minds

The final award will be the Business Award which recognises a business which gives back to the local community. Three have been shortlisted this year:

• Holly Smith of The Legh Arms for providing free Christmas meals for those who might be alone
• Di Healey for supporting the community through her community choirs
• Morgan Edwards for supporting local fundraising initiatives

All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the awards ceremony and show their support for the community, after which refreshments will be served.

Town Mayor, Cllr Colin Banks said “I am really looking forward to celebrating the work of our nominees at the award ceremony. People like our nominees are the lifeblood of our community and I urge you to join us and toast their success at the Knutsford Little Theatre”

The Town Awards are run by Knutsford Town Council and were first held in 2013. The awards have been sponsored by the Forum of Private Business since they were launched.

Five individuals have been shortlisted for the Civic Award. Each year three awards are made under this category, which recognises the contribution of individuals to the community. This year’s nominees are:

• Ian Albiston for voluntary work with Hope Central
• Amanda Gamble for voluntary work at The Welcome
• Paul Langley for supporting a wealth of community activity
• Peter Sharratt for voluntary efforts around the Heath
• Cathryn Walley for leading roles in Friends of St John’s Wood and formerly Manor Park School PTA and a governor of Manor Park School

Three young people have been shortlisted for the 2025 Youth Award. Like the Civic Awards this goes to an individual for their work in the community and is open to those aged 21 and under. This year’s nominees are:

• Isabelle Foster for volunteering with 7^th Knutsford Brownies
• Hattie Southall for clearing flood water on Boothfields
• Ella Williamson for volunteering at the Crosstown Community Orchard

A new category was introduced this year which was only open for nominations from organisations for their own volunteers. The Volunteer of the Year award will recognised exemplary volunteering for a specific organisation in 2024. Two nominations have been shortlisted for the inaugural award:

• Taf Evans (Crosstown Community Orchard)
• Jenny Collis (Knutsford Heritage Centre)

The Community Award goes to a community organisation to recognise the work they do in the community. Three organisations are in the running to take home the shield in 2025:

• Hope Central
• Knutsford Little Theatre
• Stable Minds

The final award will be the Business Award which recognises a business which gives back to the local community. Three have been shortlisted this year:

• Holly Smith of The Legh Arms for providing free Christmas meals for those who might be alone
• Di Healey for supporting the community through her community choirs
• Morgan Edwards for supporting local fundraising initiatives

All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the awards ceremony and show their support for the community, after which refreshments will be served.

The Knutsford community celebrated its town heroes on Tuesday (23^rd April) at the annual Town Awards.

The Town Awards is an annual ceremony aiming to recognise those in the Knutsford community who work to make the town a better place for all, it is led by Knutsford Town Council and sponsored by the Forum of Private Business.

The award ceremony took place at Knutsford Little Theatre, with Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan and Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum of Private Business, announcing the winners of the 2024 awards.

The first award went to Maya Chudley, who took home the Youth Award. Maya, who is also known as “Peppermint the Elf”, accompanies Santa around town each year with We Are Knutsford and also serves as an art ambassador in a junior school and supports organisations such as CAFT with their activities.

The Community Award shield was presented to Knutsford and District Good Neighbours. Whilst many of us may take for granted the ease in which we can travel to attend medical appointments for many people this can be a great challenge – whether that is accessing an appointment in Knutsford, Macclesfield or further afield. The Good Neighbours scheme are there to support those who cannot make this journey alone.

Retiring Knutsford Heritage Centre manager Val Bryant was “left speechless” after being presented with a special award for her Outstanding Contribution to the Heritage of Knutsford, to thank her on behalf of the whole town for her work with the centre over the last 17 years over which time she prevented its closure and ensured the preservation of the Millennium Tapestry.

Three recipients were presented with a Civic Award this award goes to individuals or groups of individuals who work to make Knutsford a better place.

The first award went to Andrew Mallow, recognising his leading role in the community having stood down in 2023 after 12 years as a town councillor, having founded the hugely popular Knutsford Beer Festival which has raised over £50,000 for local charities and his support, leadership or involvement in a variety of community organisations from Friends groups to the Community Rail Partnership and volunteering with East Cheshire Hospice’s annual Christmas tree collection.

The second Civic Award was awarded jointly to Ann and John Long. Ann and John have supported Just Drop In, the specialist youth mental health service in the town centre. They kindly provide the charity with free accommodation and have been promoting, supporting and fundraising for the charity to ensure its success in the town.

Maggie Clayton – a long serving volunteer at The Welcome who is there two days every week without fail was shortlisted for an award back in 2021 and took home the final Civic Award of 2024. One of her glowing nominations said “The Welcome would not be the same without Maggie, and we all absolutely love her.

The 2023 Business Award was presented to Roberta Dyer. Roberta has been trading in Knutsford since 2008 and epitomises the adage ‘if you want something done ask a busy person’. Roberta is often first to volunteer to support the business community events and initiatives and has been a staunch supporter and welcomer of new businesses to the town.

The final award was the Extra Mile Award which goes to someone who, in their paid employment, has gone above and beyond for the benefit of the local community with the 2024 award going to Nicola Marshall for outstanding leadership of Knutsford Together and helping people in Knutsford find the help they need in difficult times. 

Speaking at the awards, Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan said “This evening is a celebration not just of our winners, but of all those nominated and shortlisted. Each of those nominated should feel great pride that there are people in this town that see you, who see what you do and who value the work you do and the difference you make to Knutsford. To those who walk away with an award, I would like to convey the sincere gratitude of Knutsford Town Council to you for the work you do”.

Nominations for the 2025 Town Awards will open in January 2025 and residents are encouraged to make note of those in the community they feel deserve recognition next year.

The call has gone out for residents to nominate their community heroes for the annual Knutsford Town Awards.

The Knutsford Town Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellence, community spirit, and positive contributions within Knutsford. Established to honour individuals, businesses, and community organisations, the awards showcase the efforts and achievements that collectively make Knutsford a thriving and dynamic community.

Nominations can be made online at the Town Council website by 22^nd March or by filling in a paper form, which can be found at Knutsford Library, The Welcome or Knutsford Market Hall.

Nominations can be submitted for any of the following categories:

The Civic Award which recognises the work of individuals. Last year’s winners included Rob Lyons who was honoured for leading 1st Knutsford Scouts for a decade.

The Youth Award which recognises those aged 21 and under. Last year the award was jointly awarded to Twin sisters Liv and Jess Johnson for their voluntary work with 7th Knutsford Brownies as part of their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Business Award recognises businesses who give something back to their community, such as last year’s award winners Tatton Perk who were praised for being a “warm hub” providing free drinks and a friendly welcome to those who may need it.

The Community Award shines the light on local charities, committees, and other groups. Last year it went to the Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper, who provide a free audio version of the Knutsford guardian to people who are visually impaired.

Finally, the Extra Mile Award is for those who go above and beyond in their paid work for the benefit of the local community such as 2023 winner Jack Street, who works at Johnsons the Cleaners and was commended for his kind and patient support to customers, particularly helping older people to use new technology for various services on offer.

Mayor of Knutsford, Cllr Peter Coan urges local residents to take the time and put forward those who make a difference to the Knutsford community, from litterpickers to leaders and everything in between.

“Our town is filled with special people who go out of their way to make a difference to the community they live in. Each year we ask the Knutsford residents to nominate those who make the town a better place and without your nominations these awards would not be able to take place. We want to let these people know that they are valued and appreciated and the work they do, does not go unnoticed”.

Thanks to the Forum of Private business for sponsoring the event.

The spotlight is being shone on Knutsford’s community heroes this month with the shortlist being announced for the 10^th annual Knutsford Town Awards.

The awards, which are sponsored by the Forum of Private Business, recognise the work individuals, community groups and businesses undertake for the Knutsford community.

A special award ceremony is being hosted at Knutsford Little Theatre on Wednesday 15^th March from 7pm as part of the Annual Town Meeting.  The event starts with a short talk from Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper about the work the group does to bring the Knutsford Guardian to the visually impaired of Knutsford and surrounding villages before featuring an open forum for residents to raise any issues they want to see discussed in the community.

Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Houghton and Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum of Private Business then have the honour of celebrating the shortlisted nominees and announcing the winners of the 2023 awards.

This year’s shortlist is as follows:

Civic Award (3 awards)

Three Civic Awards are presented to individuals who give their time voluntarily to undertake work in the community there are 7 shortlisted for the awards this year:

• Judy Clifford
• Joe Godden
• Gemma Jackson
• Rob Lyons
• Ken and Louise Rhodes
• Claire Sawyer

Business Award

One business will be recognised with the Business Award, which goes to a business or business leader who has supported or worked with the community, four businesses are in the running for the 2023 award:

• Detaljer
• Dan Belcher, Guys Barbers Knutsford
• Morgan Edwards
• Tatton Perk

Community Award

The Community Award goes to a community organisation, this year three worthy groups have been shortlisted:

• Knutsford and District Talking Newspaper
• The Welcome
• Wrap up Knutsford

 Extra Mile Award

The Extra Mile Award is presented to someone who as part of their paid job is going above and beyond to the benefit of the community. This year sees three shortlisted nominees:

• Alison Hooper, Egerton Primary School
• Jack Street, Johnsons the Cleaners
• Miriam Wilson, Knutsford Medical Partnership

On announcing the shortlist, Cllr Mike Houghton said: “I know we say this every year but everyone on the shortlist should be incredibly proud that someone has taken the time to put their name forward for recognition for what they do for Knutsford and I am really looking forward to celebrating their achievements with them at the awards ceremony later this month”