15 - Record nominations for the Mayor’s Civic Awards

A record-breaking number of nominations have been received for this year’s Mayor’s Civic Awards.

More than 80 nominations have come flooding in for the fifth anniversary of the prestigious ceremony.

Nominations closed yesterday (FRI) and now the panel of judges will be reading each response to find the winners which will be announced at a ceremony next month.

There will be a winner and a runner-up in four categories all named after borough greats - the Duncan Edwards award for sport, the Cedric Hardwicke award for arts, the Frank Foley award for community spirit and the Thomas Attwood award for education.

To mark the milestone anniversary, the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley, will also present a new trophy called the Mayor’s Award to one person who he feels has stood out to him on his civic engagements during his year in office. The panel will decide the other four categories.

The judges include the Mayor, council leader Councillor David Caunt, Dudley’s Queen of Culture Pat Wakelam, cabinet member for leisure and culture Councillor Charles Fraser-Macnamara, cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Liz Walker, and the Bishop of Dudley the rt rev David Walker.

Councillor David Stanley, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“We are delighted with the outstanding number of nominations we have received this year, which has been our biggest response so far.

“It goes to show that there are so many people who do many amazing things across Dudley and it is these people who we will be celebrating at this year’s awards.”

The winners and runners-up in each category will be announced at a ceremony on March 6, along with the winner of the Mayor’s Award. They will be presented with their prize – a trophy and a certificate by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley.

Note to Editors

The Duncan Edwards awards for sport is named after Dudley’s most famous footballing son who tragically died aged 21, in the 1958 Munich air disaster. This is for those who have achieved in any sport. They may have represented a group, borough or even the country or overcome adversity such as illness or disability to achieve a personal goal. It is also to celebrate and thank those who give their time to working behind the scenes at our local sporting clubs and groups.

Last year, Olympic 2008 hopeful Ryan Bradley won the Duncan Edwards award for sport. Ryan, from Lower Gornal, won bronze as part of the men’s artistic gymnastics team at the 2005 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne

The Cedric Hardwicke Award for arts is in memory of Sir Cedric, born at Lye Cross in 1893. He went on to become a legend of the British stage and a leader of the British community in Hollywood. This is for people who have contributed to raising the profile of the arts in the borough – whether it be art, amateur dramatics, or music. This person may be the star of the show or they could work behind the scenes, helping to make it happen.

Ivan Brydges, from Halesowen, picked up the Cedric Hardwicke award for arts last year. Ivan was the founder member of the Solar Service, a voluntary group which co-ordinates backstage lighting and technical support for shows performed by groups including Brierley Hill Operatic Society.

The Frank Foley Award for community spirit honours the man dubbed the British Schindler. Frank risked his life to save 10,000 Jews while working as an MI6 agent in Berlin. This is for people who make an outstanding contribution to the community – whether it’s popping in on a neighbour every day, organising or supporting community, sports, or arts groups, or improving the locality for the benefit of everyone.

Last year, Anne Adams, from Woodsetton won the Frank Foley award for community spirit. Anne was the founder and chairman of the Dudley Stroke Association Club and has been involved in the group for over 25 years.

The Thomas Attwood Award for education remembers a man, born in Halesowen in 1783, who was a leader for parliamentary reform. Thomas was instrumental in bringing about the 1832 Reform Act – which gave counties and large towns greater representation in parliament and virtually tripled the electorate. This award is for those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the standard of education in the borough. This may be someone who gives up their time to help at an after school club or who offers support to learners of all ages.

The Thomas Attwood award for education was awarded to Antony Tatford, a teacher at Pedmore College and Community School in 2007, in recognition of his 35 years at the school.

The Mayor will make his personal choice for the Mayor’s Award and present it to someone who he feels has stood out to him during civic engagements this year.

News Release Contact Information

Name:	Chris Howes
Telephone:	01384 817 403
Email:	chris.howes@dudley.gov.uk

go to menu

go to homepage