Mayor recognises Shrewsbury's unsung heroes

The Mayor’s Awards scheme is Shrewsbury’s equivalent of The Oscars, with local individuals, organisations, groups and businesses being recognised for achievements, which benefit the town.

Among the winners were Cafe Aleoli, named as Market Trader of the Year, and Shrewsbury Cathedral, while river safety ambassador Kirsty Walsh, Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard, and Facebook community page For The Love of Shrewsbury won gold.

More than 70 of the town’s most dedicated citizens and organisations received honours from Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie, at this year’s Mayor’s Awards ceremony, which took place at the Guildhall.

The overall winners in each category were:

• Business – Reech Media

• Built Heritage – Shrewsbury Cathedral

• Community – Homeless Outreach Street Triage

• Courtesy – Shropshire Sanctuary

• Environment – Shrewsbury Food Hub

• Tourism – Love2Stay

• Youth – Shropshire Youth Theatre

The results for this year’s Market Trader of the Year for Shrewsbury Market Hall, which is jointly run by the both Shropshire Council and the Town Council, were also revealed at the event. Hundreds of votes were cast and the overall winner was Café Aleoli closely followed by W. Dodd Butchers in second place and Market Buffet in third place.

The mayor also presented 20 personal awards to individuals and organisations she has met throughout her mayoral year that she felt had made a significant contribution to the town.

Councillor Mackenzie said: “The Mayor’s Awards are my opportunity to thank some of the wonderful people and organisations who do so much to make our town a great place to live. It’s a real privilege to recognise and reward those who gladly give their time and talent to benefit others living in our local community.

Kindness

“Throughout my year as mayor, I’ve been constantly amazed by the kindness, generosity and compassion of local people, and I’m only sorry that it’s impossible to recognise everyone’s contribution with an award. However, I’m delighted that I’ve been able to give out a record number of awards on the night to so many home-grown volunteers.

"Our local heroes believe in Shrewsbury, and its people, and that’s what motivates them. Without their contribution, Shrewsbury would be a lesser place to live, work and thrive.”

Kirsty Walsh said of her award: “I am so very proud to receive gold in the Mayor’s Award. Well done to West Mercia Search and Rescue for their award also and also to all the other amazing people and organisations in our community.”

A spokesman for the West Mercia Search and Rescue said: “The award is to the entire team for their dedication in riverside safety patrols, education, missing-person searches and recoveries near the town. We don’t normally qualify for awards, so this is a rare opportunity to celebrate.”

Katie Anderson, co-founder of Shrewsbury Food Hub said she was delighted with the award: “It is really for the whole food hub community, from the stores that support us to the drivers who deliver the food and our volunteers who work so hard. It is really great to have been recognised.”

Gold or silver, everyone’s a winner

BUSINESS

• John Poole Photography – Silver

• Ready Steady Let’s Get Messy – Silver

• Reech Media – Gold

• Shrewsbury Watch – Gold

• Links Café Community Interest Company – Gold

BUILT HERITAGE

• Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust – Silver

• Big Town Plan – Gold

• The Hermitage Centre – Gold

• Shrewsbury Cathedral - Gold

COMMUNITY

• Neil Southern and Julia Griffiths – Bronze

• Sara Heath – Bronze

• Omega Care For Life – Silver

• Julia Baron – Silver

• Frank North – Silver

• Aisha Ennebly, Abdellatif Ennebly and Kariman Yakhoul – Silver

• Rebecca Wall – Silver

• North Shrewsbury Friendly Neighbours – Silver

• Claire Crackett – Silver

• Castlefields Action Team – Silver

• Amanda Cundall – Gold

• Shrewsbury Food Hub volunteers – Gold

• Kirsty Walsh – Gold

• Mad Cow Productions – Gold

• Homeless Outreach Street Triage – Gold

• Stan Sedman – Gold

• Lingen Davies Cancer Fund – Gold

• Shrewsbury Town in the Community – Gold

• Mark Chadwick – Gold

COURTESY

• Mike Jones Antiques – Silver

• Clear – Gold

• Shrewsbury Market Hall – Gold

• Shropshire Sanctuary – Gold

ENVIRONMENT

• Red Kite Network Limited – Silver

• Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre – Silver

• Darwin’s Childhood Garden – Silver

• Shrewsbury Food Hub – Gold

TOURISM

• My Shrewsbury – Silver

• DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival – Gold

• Love2Stay – Gold

• For the Love of Shrewsbury – Gold

• Andy McKeown – Gold

• Shrewsbury In Bloom – Gold

YOUTH

• De-bated Programme – Silver

• Embrace Physical Education – Silver

• Pandemonium Children’s festival – Silver

• Belle Vue Youth Club – Silver

• Shropshire Youth Theatre – Gold

• Young Enterprise Shropshire – Gold

• Justice in a Day – Gold

SPECIAL AWARDS

• Charlie Adlard

• Chip Somers

• Claire Davies and photography students

• Dan Owen

• Henry Maybury

• Jo Gerard

• Jonathan Smith

• Kerry Vamplew and fashion/textile students

• Maggie Love

• Repair Café

• Robert Handley

• Sally Maybury

• Shrewsbury Town Football Club

• Amy Liebich

• Mary de Saulles

• Turtle Doves

• Sophie Kear (cakes for Wednesday teas)

• Steven Doyle

• West Mercia Search & Rescue

• Atlantic Ladies