Shrewsbury's unsung heroes honoured by mayor
Dozens of Shrewsbury's unsung community heroes have been officially recognised by the Mayor for playing their part in helping to make the town such a special place to live, work and visit.
The Mayor’s Awards scheme has been dubbed Shrewsbury’s equivalent of the Oscars with local individuals, organisations, groups and businesses being recognised for their achievements which have benefitted the town.
Almost 60 of the town’s most dedicated citizens and organisations received honours from Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Ioan Jones, at this year’s Mayor’s Awards ceremony, which took place at the Guildhall, Frankwell.
The winning spot in each of the seven categories was hotly contested but those to take the titles were Tesco Extra Battlefield for business; Cambrian House on Chester Street for built heritage and the community award went to Shrewsbury Charity Christmas Card Shop.
For the environment, the winner was dedicated litter picker and dog walker Alun Lines who each day patrols Monkmoor Recreation Ground making sure it is a pleasant place for young and old alike. The winner in the youth section was Alison Stevens from Shropshire Music Trust while Shrewsbury Morris, a team of traditional dancers who have been going for more than 40 years, took the title in the tourism category. Amanda Jones who highlighted the plight of those living in the refugee camps in Calais was handed the courtesy award..
The results for this year’s Market Trader of the Year for Shrewsbury Market Hall, which is part run by the town council, were also revealed at the event. Hundreds of votes were cast and the overall winner was Market Buffet closely followed by Snap Dragon Wholefoods in second place and Ewe & Ply in third place.
The Mayor also presented 11 personal awards to individuals and organisations he has met throughout his mayoral year that he felt had made a significant contribution to the town.
Certificates were presented to Age Concern Shrewsbury, Co-op Monkmoor, Copthorne and Mount Pleasant Branches, Joe and Jenny Pingrui Zheng from The Harry Hotspur pub, John and Val Taylor who have provided years of support and dedication to the Shrewsbury Castle and the Shropshire Regimental Museum, Keep our Shropshire History Alive, the Mayor’s Cadets Angus Buchanan and Joseph Turnbull, North Shrewsbury Friendly Neighbours and former town and county councillor Vernon Bushell, who retired earlier this year.
Councillor Jones said: “The Mayor’s Awards is a great evening to thank all those wonderful people and organisations who do so much to make our town such a great place to be. I was so pleased to reward those who had given up their time and energy for our benefit and the benefit of others. Shrewsbury would be a lesser place without our local heroes who do what they do because they believe in Shrewsbury and its people.”
