Councillor Dennis Straine-Francis, Mayor of Crewe, had the pleasure of presenting the Crewe Civic Awards on Friday evening at his Civic Reception.
The Mayor of Crewe invited the Civic Award Winners to join him for dinner at the ibis Styles Crewe whilst he raised funds for the Mayor’s Charities of the Year – Hope House Children’s Hospices and St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice.
The Mayor said ‘Judging was very difficult. Everyone who was nominated works really hard in and for the local community. They all deserve a big well done and I personally want to thank everyone for their efforts in looking after our wonderful community in Crewe’.
Councillor Straine-Francis presented the Civic Awards on behalf of Crewe Town Council to:-
Community Award – Bill Elliott
William (Bill) Elliott is an Assistant Scout Leader with 17th South West Cheshire Scout Group. Bill has been a pivotal part of Scouting at the 17th and throughout the District for around 55 years. His enthusiasm for supporting and empowering young people to help themselves get more out of life and play a positive role in the local area has been impressive to generations of young people, parents and fellow leaders.
Bill joined the group around 1960 as an Assistant Scout Master supporting the other Scout leaders, he soon became Group Scout Leader (in charge of Group) a roll he maintained for over 30 years) reaching retirement age he decided to step to one side and return to supporting the Scout age group, Bill supported the new Group Scout Leader whilst taking over the role. He continues to help other new leaders to learn about Scouting and helping to pass on skills to the next generation of young people. Despite two periods of absence due to strokes, Bill has returned to weekly meetings and his determination to overcome difficulties is an inspiration to many around him.
Youth Award – Nathan Armstrong
Nathan has voluntarily given up his time to give the young people of South Cheshire College a ‘voice’ in the Crewe area. As the Chair of Crewe Youth Voice at South Cheshire College, in association with Crewe Youth Town Council and Crewe’s Community Plan, Nathan has pioneered the formation of the Group in order to gather the positive thoughts and potential improvements to Crewe as an area. Nathan first got involved in this initiative after his Nan’s death as he felt he wanted to give something back to the community that his late Nan had been a big part of. Nathan is always approachable and a welcoming character whose peers are able to offer suggestions and raise concerns about the local area.
He is now striving towards increasing the amount of young people involved in the Crewe Youth Voice at South Cheshire College in order to ensure that the voice of the group is representative. He is a true ambassador of Crewe in that he is working to raise enthusiasm for Crewe’s history and heritage among young people. Aside from his community work in relation to Crewe Town Council, Nathan is also South Cheshire College’s Student Council ‘Trip Advisor’. He is organising a trip for College students over the Easter period at a Cheshire location – always the advocate of local areas of interest!
Sports Award – Crewe Alexandra Ladies Football Club
Crewe Alexandra Ladies is a local club that takes great pride at its place in the community. It helps promote healthy living, developing communities and relationships with the community. The Club is sponsored thanks to the support of local businesses and continues to go from strength to strength and looks to develop and grow with the demand of the local people.
Crewe Alex Ladies is the flagship Ladies Football Club in Crewe and surrounding areas, and currently has Teams at Under 18s, Under 21s and Senior Levels. The Club organises and delivers coaching sessions and organise football matches for Young People and Adults in the local community and offers the chances for all girls and women in the local community to enjoy the physical, psychological and social benefits of sport and exercise. The Club has a strong reputation nationally as well as regionally and always look to grow and develop giving more opportunities and embrace the local pride of representing our football club.
Crewe Alex Ladies aims to develop girls and women in the local community by continuing to provide a fun and positive environment to take part in sport and to bring pride in representing the town.
Civic Award – Mick Roberts
Michael became a helper with Seahorse Swimming Club, which caters for people with disabilities, in 1965. Since then he has showed total commitment and loyalty to the Club. As well as encouraging swimmers, he has influenced many people to become volunteers and he continues to have a role on the pool-side and as vice-chairman.
In the past, he was involved with charity work when working on the railway, he served as Chairman of the Emmie Dixon Home and for over 25 years he has represented the town with the Crewe Male Voice Choir.
Michael was Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich in 2002/2003 and he supported the Diabetic Society, Air, Sea and Army Cadets and Seahorse with the Mayor’s Charity.
Seahorse celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and during this time hundreds of disabled people have enjoyed freedom, fun, social interaction and the challenges in the water. Volunteers have also benefited by gaining experience and confidence to give a more inclusive society.
Seahorse’s success is down to volunteers like Michael who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to enable the swimmers to maximize their potential, whether it’s swimming the width of the pool or competing at National level for the Club.
