Best of Beverley Awards - AND THE WINNER IS…

Hollywood has the Oscars. Music has the Ivor Novellos. Theatre has the Oliviers. On Friday 10th May, Beverley celebrated the BoBs – the Best of Beverley Awards.

Taking place at Parkway Cinema, the Beverley Town Council Awards Night was an opportunity to present Best of Beverley Awards, receive updates from Town Council Partners, give Good Neighbour Awards and officially bestow the title of Honorary Freeman or Freewoman of Beverley upon new appointees.

Mayor of Beverley Councillor Tom Astell explained: “The evening was all about celebrating our town. For many years the Town Council has given Good Neighbour Awards, which are traditionally chosen by the Mayor. This year, I wanted to do something a little different, so alongside two good neighbours, the Town Council ran the Best of Beverley Awards, to celebrate the community work of local businesses and voluntary groups. We received many nominations and want to thank everyone who took part. It was a privilege to present awards to so many people who are doing amazing things in Beverley.”

The Awards Night was hosted by former Beverley FM presenter Alex Dunn, with music from Phil Simpson, organiser of the Beverely Folk Festival. Also providing entertainment were young people from the ERYC Schools Music Service.

The event saw the Town Council officially bestow the title of Honorary Freeman and Freewomen of Beverley on three community stalwarts. This is the highest honour the Town Council can give, recognising years of dedicated service to the Beverley Community. This year, the distinction went to John Turner, Duncan Jack and Joy Jack for eminent service to the town.

Tributes were also paid, with videos remembering the lives of two local community champions who sadly passed away last year – Beverley FM founder David Fewster and long-standing Councillor and former Mayor Peter Astell.

A double-winner for the night was the Beverley, East Riding, Facebook Page, which not only received Commended in BoB Awards, but was also named one of the Mayor’s Good Neighbours, alongside Albies Bar on Lincoln Way. 

The evening was attended by over 200 people, including BoB nominees, those who put them forward for awards, Town Councillors, Honorary Freemen and Freewomen, The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, and the Chair of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

BEST OF BEVERLEY AWARDS - BUSINESS

Commended:

·      Adams Tyres

For being a true family business that supports local charities including Beverley Town Football Club, and always makes sure people in Beverley who are stranded with tyre issues get a free callout and first-rate service.

·      Flames of Beverley

For supporting local good causes and charity shops, by purchasing items from them to repurpose as vessels for homemade candles. Not only does this support local charity shops, but also shows how a local business can be founded on recycle and being environmentally friendly.

·      Karinya Yoga

For providing a friendly, safe and inclusive space and service, where friendships can be formed, wellbeing enhanced and people can find a rewarding sense of community.

·      KSR Events

For delivering a range of innovative and fun family events that enrich the local lives and has Beverley at heart, whilst also giving back to the community, such as raising funds for Christmas hamper appeals and organising huge donations drives for East Yorkshire Foodbank.

·      Lakeland

For being a big-name store that gives big time back to the community, ranging from being a longstanding supporter of the Beverley Pancake Race, to donating prizes to many fundraisers both in Beverley and Hull, alongside supporting local independent traders and being a key player in the Beverley Shopwatch scheme.

·      Oh My Dog

For helping to create a community of customers who are welcome to come in for a chat even if they don’t purchase anything, alongside organising events for dogs and their owners and raising money for Guide Dogs UK – plus matching people up with the rescue dog of their dreams!

·      Quick and Clarke

For supporting a range of community events, especially sponsorship for the annual Beverley 10K race, providing refreshments for Tour de Yorkshire competitors and helping to promote Beverley – a town the staff team love to live in.

·      Wilkin Chapman

For being proud to engage with a wide range of community groups, including East Riding Theatre and East Riding College, insistence on using local businesses and tradespeople, while also collecting items for East Yorkshire Food Bank among others and raising funds through a workplace charity committee.

Highly Commended:

·      East Riding Aesthetics and Wellness

For supporting individuals through difficult times and helping to improve their health and quality of life. For providing complementary menopause awareness sessions to many local businesses, to help raise awareness of this matter and thereby helping hundreds of women to improve their quality of life. Support is also given to many local charities and worthwhile organisations, going above and beyond the key focus of the business.

·      The Grapes

For being a true local pub, which has the community at heart, where customers of all ages are welcome and can forge friendships. For working hard to raise thousands of pounds for local, regional and national charities, including AFC Tickton, Wildlife Alliance, East Riding Foodbank, Bundles of Joy and many more. For positively enhancing the reputation of this historic pub and making it known for the right reasons. 

·      Just Beverley

For promoting everything that is wonderful about Beverley and helping to connect people through the printed word. For being true in spirit to legacy of a strong, local press and helping to celebrate good news stories, local celebrations and shining a light on the good work of local people that would otherwise go unseen. At a time when too much of the media is negative and reactionary, Just Beverley is unique with its positive and feel-good features which celebrate the best of our town.

·      Parkway Cinema

For providing not just a cinema, but a community venue that has been used to raise funds for a wide range of charities, including Macmillan Cancer Car, Alzheimer’s UK and many others. For enhancing the cultural lives of residents, not just through access to the latest movies, but by also holding screenings for a wide range of groups that might otherwise feel excluded from the cinema – people with dementia and autism, parents and toddlers, seniors, etc. By providing a safe and inclusive environment, this small, independent family business wants to support the town - on a very local level, Parkway has helped many local groups, including Beverley Baptist Church, Beverley Flower Club, Dementia Friends East Riding, East Yorkshire Foodbank, Beverley Pride, Beverley Film Club, Abbie’s Fund, Beverley Community Lift and more, alongside actively supporting local businesses by providing a platform for their products.

Champion:

·      Art and Soul

For being a unique and inclusive business, which is the focal point of the local creative community. Art and Soul provides a space where local artists can showcase and sell their work, thereby sustaining small, often one-person businesses and strengthening Beverley’s role as a cultural hub. It has become a destination in itself and helps to promote the rest of what Beverley has to offer, by serving as an information tourist information centre. Run With It art groups take place throughout the year at local schools, helping children to express themselves through different art forms and encouraging pupils who might otherwise struggle to find their own voice to do so. Art and Soul supports a range of local and national charities, ranging from The Friends of St Mary’s Church to the Terence Higgins Trust. During the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, they were a key point to purchase celebratory merchandise, raising over £1,600 for the Cherry Tre Community Centre. It is also an active member of Beverley Open Studios and supports a many local initiatives, both art-based and beyond. Art and Soul is a unique business that serves the local community in so many ways and is an inspiration.

BEST OF BEVERLEY AWARDS - COMMUNITY

Commended:

·      Beverley and District U3A

For creating a welcoming organisation, which helps to bring older people together to expand their interests, try new things and embrace the ethos of “learn, laugh, live”. Over 600 local members benefit from almost 50 different interest groups, proving the importance of lifelong learning and being part of a community of likeminded people.

·      Beverley Breezers Cycling Group for Women

For developing a free, inclusive cycling group led by women, for women. The Beverley branch of the Breezers was founded 8 years ago and ensures all the members of the group are welcome, with the ethos of “slowest rider’s pace, no one is left behind”. Health, wellbeing and friendship, whilst also appreciating the beauty of Beverley by bicycle.

·      Beverley Rugby Union Football Club Under 15s

For running a nurturing and inclusive community for families, where every young player is truly made to feel like a team member. For creating opportunities to not just play a sport, but to be part of something that is greater than any one individual, led by dedicated and caring coaches who are loyal, patient and respectful. This is more than a team – it is an extended family.

·      Cherry Tree Advice Service

For being a lifeline for innumerable individuals and families over many years. For supporting people as they experience challenging life issues and helping them find a positive way forward with care and compassion. For being there for anyone, no matter who they are, when they need help, advice, guidance and a friend.

·      Church Lads and Church Girls Bridge

For providing a safe, engaging community managed ay dedicated volunteer leaders, who support children and young people, giving them so many wonderful experiences and the chance to make life-long friends. A true Beverley institution.

·      Stage4Beverley

For delivering a creative and inclusive community festival, which not only promotes Beverley, but enables everyone to experience music and entertainment of a high standard. This is thanks to dozens of local volunteers, who serve the Town and welcome others to it, in a friendly, enjoyable way.

Highly Commended:

·      Beverley and District Talking Newspaper

For delivering a vital service to those in Beverley and the surrounding district, who struggle with sight loss and disability. For helping to break down communication barriers and ensuring people who might otherwise feel disconnected from events in Beverley become part of the community. The power of the human voice is sometimes forgotten in a world of multimedia communications – the volunteers at the talking newspaper know how important it is that those who struggle to read print can still access reports, news and stories and the positive impact it has on all beneficiaries.

New Honorary Freeman - John Turner

New Honorary Freeman and Woman - Duncan and Joy Jack.

Credit Photography Ian Harrison

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