Community heroes celebrated as Our Town Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year’s Our Town Awards has been announced.

Local people and communities who make Wigan Borough brilliant are recognised and celebrated at the awards ceremony, hosted by Wigan Council, which has been held annually since 2020.

This year, hundreds of people nominated their amazing neighbours, kind-hearted businesses and dedicated volunteers.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, said: “We’re so thrilled that so many people got involved in nominating their community heroes to this year’s awards.

“The standard of nominations goes up a notch every year, making the judging process incredibly tough, but it just goes to show how many wonderful people and groups were have working right here in our communities.

“Everyone nominated should be incredibly proud of themselves and I would like to place on record my thanks to the thousands of volunteers who make our borough the best in the country.”

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later next month.

The shortlist

Leader’s Award

• Volunteers of Wigan and Leigh Hospice
• Alex Winstanley and Happy Smiles CIC
• Daisy Chain Stitchers

Neighbour of the year

• Kris Thomas
• Christopher Hill
• Sharon Smith

School of the year

• St John Fisher Catholic High School
• The Aspire Federation
• Nicol Mere Primary School

Unsung hero

• Andrea Jukes
• Angela Brown

Volunteer of the year

• Mavis Grundy
• Fur Clemt
• Victoria Davies

Best Community Initiative

• Winstanley Walkers FC
• Daisy Chain Stitchers
• Yellow Door Library

Business of the Year

• Tim Hilton, JJH Builders
• Applecast Farm
• Karl Mather, KDM Electrical

Environment

• Friends of Low Hall
• Oliver Dutka
• The Bridgers
• Friends of Ashton Community Garden

Carers Award

• Kieron Sales
• Paul Selby
• Gabrielle EdwardsJean Atherton

Young person of the year

• Elena Waywell
• Reece Sumner
• Frankie Parkinson
• Glyn Ellis