Dudley mayor’s civic awards and charity ball to be celebrated together for first time

This spring will see two long standing annual events – the Mayor’s Ball and Mayor’s Civic Awards – celebrated as one occasion for the first time.

Being held on Friday March 18, the inaugural Mayor’s Ball and Civic Awards will see winners who go above and beyond awarded in six categories, all named after borough greats.

Nominees will compete in the Duncan Edwards award for sport, the Cedric Hardwicke award for arts, the Frank Foley award for community spirit, the Thomas Attwood award for education, the Mike Holder award for business, and the William Shenstone award for environment.

The seventh prize, the mayor’s ‘Pride of Dudley Award’, will be decided by a public vote later this month after the mayor chooses four people or groups he feels have stood out to him on his civic engagements so far in his mayoral year.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: “This is the perfect opportunity to create a new event to honour our community heroes from two of our most popular civic celebrations.

“As Mayor I have been privileged to meet some of the amazing people in this borough, people who have achieved great things or work tirelessly to help and improve the lives of others.

“It’s wonderful news that we will be now be able to share this celebration with more guests than ever before and highlight the achievements of these unsung heroes. Not only that, we will be able to raise lots of money for some amazing charities.”

Tickets to the event are now on sale and all winners, who will be decided by a judging panel, receive unique, hand-crafted glassware.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open and people will be able to put names forward until Sunday, February 14.

To nominate a community hero online visit www.dudley.gov.uk/civicawards, pick up a nomination form from libraries and leisure centres across the borough, or call 01384 817449.

For more information about the ball, or to buy tickets, call 01384 815211.