AN EVENING that celebrated the best of community spirit in Alcester was held on Friday (January 17) with the annual mayor’s awards.
Organised by the town council and hosted at the Greig Hall community centre, the event acknowledged individuals, businesses and organisations that go above and beyond to make the town a better place to live.
The five main awards given on the night were Young Person of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Community Organisation of the Year, Business of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement award.
Louie Styler, Monty Payne and Jacob Woodfield. s
Young Person of the Year was jointly awarded to nominees Monty Payne, Louie Styler and Jacob Woodfield.
Monty, 14, was recognised for his volunteering with the Alcester Community Fridge, seven-year-old Louie for helping to save the life of his older brother who was suffering a life-threatening seizure in his sleep and teenager Jacob for his various fundraising activities and supporting his autistic brother.
Coucillor Mike Bowe, mayor of Alcester with Maggie Payne. s
Citizen of the Year was awarded to Maggie Payne for her tireless work with Alcester in Bloom. Maggie started the organisation 35 years ago during which time it has won numerous awards including being named a national Britain in Bloom winner.
She continues to fundraise for it to ensure the town looks attractive during summer months with numerous floral displays and hanging baskets.
She told the Standard that winning the award was quite a shock. “All of a sudden I saw my face on the screen and realised I must have been nominated. It was a very nice surprise. There are plenty of people in Alcester who do very good work and don’t always get recognised.”
Maggie has no intention of hanging up her trowel just yet. “I never intended to do 35 years but the more I do the more I like it,” she added.
Bronwen and John Bunting from Church Street Property. s
Community Organisation of the Year went to Church Street Property, a charitable trust that manages five houses in the centre of Alcester and uses the profit from income received to make donations and grants to local good causes.
Tina, community champion from Alcester Waitrose. Pictures by Jake Lambourn.
Waitrose Alcester was named as Business of the Year for its continued support of numerous community projects.
A Lifetime Achievement award was given at the end of the evening at the discretion of the mayor, Councillor Mike Bowe. This year it went to former town clerk Chris Wright who served the community from 2007 to 2017.
Chris has immersed himself in Alcester life for the past 30 years including being a church warden, former high bailiff, an active member of Alcester Bunting and Lighting, Alcester Twinning Association and the Moorfield Trust.
Councillor Mike Bowe with former town clerk, Chris Wright. s
A member of Alcester Royal British Legion, he recently completed a project that recorded the personal stories of local veterans and individuals lost and injured during both world wars.
Coun Bowe said: “It was a wonderful evening showing the remarkable achievements of individuals, organisations and businesses in Alcester. The town enjoys a remarkable sense of community with over 45 volunteer-led groups so it was fantastic to have the opportunity to thank them all for their contribution to the life of the town.”
