Nominations for Mayor's Pride of Dudley Award revealed

The public is now being asked to choose the winner of the mayor’s Pride of Dudley Award from four people or groups the mayor feels have stood out to him on his civic engagements so far this year.

‘The Mayor’s Award’ is one of seven categories which form the annual civic ceremony with winners being announced at the mayor’s charity ball on March 18 which starts at 6.45pm at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill.

This year’s nominees are Raj Kaur, owner of Unique Fitness in Dudley, The Green Team, Jasmine Road Community Gardens, Dudley, and The Green and St John’s Church Preservation Group.

Raj Kaur has been nominated for her work running free fitness and nutrition sessions for children during the school holidays.

She said: “This is about promoting a healthy lifestyle in young people, by making fitness fun and most importantly, free. We have helped hundreds of children over the years and we’re looking to build on the successes we’ve had.”

The Green Team are up for the award after helping around 20 adults with learning disabilities learn new skills through conservation.

Wendy Bourne, team support worker, said: “We have around eight adults a day and you get a real sense that they get so much out of it by being outdoors. They learn new skills and keep fit and active at the same time.”

Jasmine Road Community Gardens, Dudley, which is totally run by volunteers, gives people the chance to grow their own vegetables and learn new skills.

Janet Hilken, chairman of the gardens, said: “We have both individual and communal beds. Our aim is to have fun, learn together and keep fit and healthy. We have lots of ideas for the future including becoming the Dudley Eco centre, reducing waste and raising people's awareness of healthy lifestyles and eco practices.”

St John’s Church Preservation Group are nominated after raising more than £125,000 to help save the landmark historic Dudley building.

Deb Brownlee, chairman of the group, said: “We are all so passionate about restoring this important building and opening it back up to the community. We’re proud of what we have achieved but there is still a long way to go.”

People can vote online for the winner of the mayor’s award by visiting www.dudley.gov.uk/civicawards

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: “I have met some incredible people in my duties as Mayor of Dudley and it was very difficult selecting just four for the mayor’s award.

“I am delighted to be able to take the opportunity to celebrate the work they do in this borough through the mayor’s civic awards, but it is up to the people who wins the award and I urge you to go and vote for the one you feel most deserves the mayor’s pride of Dudley award.”

Nominations for the other six categories are now closed and the winners will be chosen by a judging panel over the next few weeks.

Tickets for the mayor’s ball and civic awards are now on sale, with the money from the event going towards helping the mayor’s five chosen charities - The Hope Centre, The What Centre, More Mascots Please, Leukaemia Unit Appeal Fund, Russells Hall and The West Midlands Lupus Group.

Cllr Waltho added: “The mayor’s ball is not only an opportunity to raise money for some very worthy causes it’s also a lot of fun.

“There will be music and dancing and an opportunity to learn more about my five chosen charities and the work they do. I urge people to snap up their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets for the ball and civic awards, costing £35 and including a three course meal, are available by emailing Christine.Skelding@dudley.gov.uk or calling 01384 815211.