Awards recognise support for Shrewsbury's 'year of achievement'
A host of awards have been handed out in recognition of those who have supported a 'year of achievement' for Shrewsbury.
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The awards, jointly presented by Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID, were presented at an event hosted at The Hive last night - Wednesday, January 22.
The council said it wanted to "recognise and thank" those whose hard work and dedication contributed to the town's achievements throughout 2024.
The event was held to honour the individuals and groups which have played a pivotal role in securing a number of prestigious accolades for Shrewsbury, including Britain’s Best Market 2024, and the Purple Flag, recognising excellence in the management of the town’s nightlife.
Other significant accolades for the town included the Let’s Celebrate Towns Visa Award, where Shrewsbury was crowned "infrastructure champion" for its Town Rangers programme, and Shrewsbury in Bloom, where it was named as the overall winner for the first time since the creation of Shrewsbury Town Council in 2009.
Further awards included the Horticulture Excellence Award and winner of the ‘Small City’ category in Heart of England in Bloom.
Shrewsbury also celebrated receiving the Academy of Urbanism’s Great Town award and achieving City of Sanctuary Status in November.
Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, expressed her gratitude to those who had played a part.
She said: "These awards are a testament to the hard work and passion of our community. Shrewsbury is a town built on collaboration, and these achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our stakeholders.
"We are immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and we look forward to continuing to make Shrewsbury a better place to live, work and play."
Seb Slater, Executive Director at Shrewsbury BID, echoed those sentiments, highlighting the vital role stakeholders play in Shrewsbury's continued success.
He said: "Shrewsbury is a town that thrives thanks to the efforts of its stakeholders and local organisations. The town’s vibrant atmosphere, thriving market, and exceptional community spirit are the result of many hands working together. It is these stakeholders who are the heart of our community, and this celebration is for them."
David Parry, managing director at Wellmeadow Consulting, is the the independent chair of Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, made up of Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID.
He presented the awards during the evening, and said: "It has been an honour to be part of this celebration of Shrewsbury’s success. The town’s achievements in 2024 are a reflection of the dedication of its people, and the stakeholders tonight are an essential part of that story. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this incredible town."
Among the key highlights of the year was Shrewsbury Men’s Shed winning the 2024 UK Men’s Shed of the Year trophy, having achieved a great deal in its short history, including the restoration of Percy Thrower’s greenhouse.
The Shrewsbury Men’s Shed has proven to be a vital community hub, supporting various charitable causes and creating a welcoming space for all.
Also celebrated was Shrewsbury’s Town of Sanctuary Status, recognising the town’s commitment to welcoming refugees and those fleeing violence and persecution.
