Community praise for our local heroes
BRAVE men and women who worked tirelessly at the Bosley explosion site were among those honoured at the ‘Local Heroes’ awards.
Macclesfield had a good showing at this year’s awards, with many people from the town picking up honours at the event hosted by Silk 106.9 and Cheshire East Council.
This included Sylvia Jenkinson from Bosley who received Neighbour of the Year after setting up a fund which is now nearly £200,000 for those affected by the explosion at the Bosley wood mill in July, leaving three mill workers dead and another unaccounted for.
The teams at the Harrington Arms and Queens Arms won Business of the Year for opening up the pubs to the community after the same disaster.
And the Pride of Cheshire award went to emergency crews from North West Ambulance Service, Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue who responded to the incident.
The audience of more than 130 people heard stories from the devastated site where crews carried out a painstaking search of the rubble for the missing mill workers.
They had a standing ovation as mayor of Cheshire East coun Hilda Gaddum presented the awards at Tytherington Golf Club and Spa.
Chief Inspector Robert Dickinson, who accepted the award on behalf of Cheshire Police said: “The teamwork extends beyond the emergency workers to the people of Bosley who were present on the day and in the days that followed.
“Their support whether providing a place for briefings, offering food and drink or just a kind word was invaluable.”
Coun Gaddum said: “It was a very emotional event, with some very moving stories. We are grateful to the emergency services for their hard work, dedication and courage.”
Lucy Herbert, nine, from Upton Priory Primary School, won Sports Person of the Year after breaking the 60m sprint record in the Annual District Athletics Championships and being a role model for other students.
Carer of the Year went to Sandra Wardle, who works at Hope Green Care Home, while Louise Williamson who founded food kitchen charity Treehouse won Volunteer of the Year.
Danny Towns, managing director at Chrome Motors, won the Social Enterprise award for his community projects including the Chrome in the Community Soccer Tournament for more than 250 children.