GALLERY: View the winners of the Macclesfield Mayor's Civic Awards 2023
By Alex Greensmith
16th Apr 2023 | Local News
Aside Macclesfield FC's title celebrations, there was even more to celebrate at the Leasing.com Stadium this weekend.
This is as the Mayor of Macclesfield has presented over 20 awards to community heroes on Sunday.
Cllr Fiona Wilson donned her Mayoral robes and chain at a packed Bar Twenty Seven at Macclesfield FC, to give out awards to Macclesfield residents who have gone above and beyond for their services to the town.
Bar Twenty Seven was the perfect venue for the Mayor, as she lives in south Macclesfield, represents them as a Councillor and is a Macclesfield FC fan.
The event was bookended with a rousing performance by Macclesfield Youth Brass Band, one of the two charities that Cllr Wilson is raising money for in her year as Mayor of Macclesfield.
As the only media at the event, Macclesfield Nub News was asked to take the official photos of those victorious.
Here's our recap of who have been recognised for their hard work in the community over the last 12 months.
First to win a Civic award was the Macclesfield Youth Brass Band, which was presented to them just days after they finished third in a national competition to determine Britain's best youth band.
Second to get one was Clare Howell, who was recognised for years of voluntary service in Ivymeade.
Clare has spent 24 years volunteering at St John the Evangelist Primary School helping to support pupils, teachers, the PTA and community events.
This was a lifetime achievement award, but not the only long-serving local hero to receive an award on the afternoon.
Third up was Mike and Christine of the Pack Horse Bowlers, who represent the title-winning of the Pack Horse Bowling and Social Club of Abbey Road.
The pair accepted the award for their dedication to the community sports club, and for their Cheshire championship.
Fourth up was Shirley Davies. The local arts champion received a Civic award to recognise over 50 years in helping out local theatre.
Shirley has supported Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group since it was founded in 1971.
The amateur theatre group, of Jodrell Street, are known for performing in venues like Macclesfield's MADS Theatre on Lord Street.
If you want to help out at MADS, click here.
Next to get a gong was Thomas Jackson. Thomas runs a successful welding business, but when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, he made room in his Gunco Lane workshop to start up Macclesfield's first Ukrainian aid group.
Fourteen months later, Macclesfield Ukrainian Aid Collection Point (MUACP) has had hundreds of volunteers, helped hundreds of Ukrainian's in Macclesfield, their guests, and indeed the at war Eastern European country itself.
MUACP has made 72 trips to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid as of publication of this article. They started going in on the border with Poland, but have since gone deeper in the country themselves as well as building up a robust support network to keep the operation going throughout the war.
Thomas has made some of these trips himself. And it has been personal for him, as his family (who have all got stuck in) has Ukrainian roots.
The sixth Maxonian to get an award certificate and badge was Heather Bilton.
This was for her "continued community support."
Bilton was also praised for their " positivity towards a wide range of community events."
Helping out at the Weston Community Hub, to co-starting a friendship group in Ivymeade are amongst her recent projects.
They were followed by Carl Lamptey. Carl has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Macclesfield's East Cheshire Hospice.
He wants to raise one million pounds for the Millbank Drive good cause, and set this goal three years ago at the start of the pandemic.
He's just shy of getting ten per cent of the way there, and has no signs of stopping.
Eighth up was Morgan Jones. They have been commended for their support of the Brook Street youth charity Just Drop In.
Tenth to the podium was Lee Folkard, who was collecting an award at his place of work.
Lee runs Macclesfield FC Community Sports Trust, the charity which runs sessions like football sessions with the elderly or schoolchildren.
They're also behind a new popular walking football service for the middle-aged and over 65s.
You can learn more about the work Macclesfield FC Community Sports Trust does on this link.
Jolene Brittain of Brown Or White was next to come up. She received a Civic Award on behalf of her Mill Lane catering company, for the free meals they have given out.
They offer free kid's meals to families that need them, which has seen an increase of service users given the current cost of living crisis.
You can support the altruistic business for FREE by giving them a like on Facebook.
The 11th person up to collect a Civic award was Gordon Richardson.
His services to improving the environment and other community projects was commended by the Mayor.
You may recognise Gordon from being a Trustee of Macc Wild Network.
He had a career in sustainability, but has kept that up sharing his expertise on a local level later in life which has led to this award today.
The Mayor's other charity she is raising funds for this year is North West Air Ambulance.
The charity, not funded by the NHS, sends out helicopters to emergency situations.
The cause is close to Cllr Wilson's heart, as a family friend had to use the vital service.
Danny Daynes was one of two representatives of North West Air Ambulance to pick up the award, which shines a light on their life-saving work in Macclesfield and across the north west.
The final Macclesfield resident to be recognised with a framed Civic Award for 2023 was a special posthumous award for Cllr Steve Carter.
He passed away late last year, and his partner Nell accepted the award on his behalf.
The former Macclesfield Hurdsfield Cheshire East Councillor was praised for his achievements. Cllr Wilson highlighted Cllr Carter's diligent work for ward residents, green spaces, and the wider Macclesfield area.
About 80 people attended the event, which lasted for four hours.
Beyond the winners, Cllr Wilson gave special thanks to those who attended, Macclesfield FC and the Bar Twenty Seven Staff, and Macclesfield Town Council's employees who organised the event.
Her speech also saw the announcement of town centre celebration for Macclesfield FC's title-winning season to be held this time next week.
As well as five Mayors being in attendance, it was also a special event for Janet Jackson MBE, as one of her last official events as a Town Councillor as she is set to step down for this May's elections.
As well Macclesfield's Mayor, Macclesfield Town Council organise events like the Coronation, Easter and Step Into Christmas.
Cllr Wilson has about a month left as the Mayor of Macclesfield, but if you want her or the next Mayor to appear at your business or event please contact via this link.
Want more from this article? You can also read about last year's winners as covered by Macclesfield Nub News on this link.
See Also: Local Parkinson's group set to thrive with thousands of pounds from supermarket
Advertise your business in Macclesfield for FREE on our Local List.
Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top five Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?
Simply enter your email address on this link.
Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.
New macclesfield Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: macclesfield jobs
Share:
