Now here’s a novel idea to celebrate Dudley borough community heroes – ballot boxes have been placed in libraries as part of the Mayor’s Civic Awards.

Dudley Council is running the awards in association with Cougar Monitoring which aim to reward those people who work tirelessly for the good of their communities.

The awards are in their eleventh year, but for the first time people can nominate via the ballot boxes in borough libraries. Staff have been busy creating the boxes to allow visitors to get involved in the prestigious awards.

People can also nominate via the council’s website or by post as well as the authority’s twitter, facebook, flickr and LinkedIn social media profiles. Forms have also been placed at leisure centres and at Dudley Council Plus.

Councillor Alan Finch, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“We have more than 80,000 people visiting our libraries each month and I hope people will take the time to fill in a nomination form and hand it in via the ballot boxes. This is just one of many ways people can get involved in this year’s awards and help us celebrate the work of some amazing community stalwarts across the borough.”

There are six categories, all backed by local businesses, including The Mike Holder award for business, sponsored by Cougar Monitoring, Duncan Edwards award for sport, sponsored by Sanders & Co Solicitors, the Cedric Hardwicke award for arts sponsored by Birmingham Metropolitan College, the Frank Foley award for community spirit sponsored by Castle & Crystal Credit Union, the Thomas Attwood award for education which is sponsored by Computeach and the William Shenstone award for environment, sponsored by Marketing Force.

People have until Monday 17 February to get their nominations in.

There is also a seventh trophy, the Mayor’s Award, which will be decided by a public vote next month (February). Mayor, Councillor Alan Finch, will choose four people or groups he feels have stood out to him on his civic engagements so far in his Mayoral year.

The public will then have the chance to vote online for the winner. Nominations cannot be put forward for this particular award. A judging panel will decide the other six categories.

The winners and runners-up will be presented with their prize – a trophy and a certificate by the Mayor of Dudley at a civic ceremony in April.

People can nominate online at www.dudley.gov.uk/civicawards or can pick up a nomination form from libraries and leisure centres across the borough. Alternatively they can call 01384 817449 for a form.

Completed forms should be sent to Mayor’s Civic Awards nominations, communications and public affairs, Dudley Council, FREEPOST MID22308, Dudley, DY1 1BR by 17 February.

Ends

Notes to editors

Pictured: Councillor Alan Finch, Mayor of Dudley, with one of the ballot boxes at Dudley Library.

About the Mayor’s Civic Awards

The Duncan Edwards awards for sport is named after Dudley’s most famous footballing son who tragically died aged 21, in the 1958 Munich air disaster. This is for those who have achieved in any sport. They may have represented a group, borough or even the country or overcome adversity such as illness or disability to achieve a personal goal.  It is also to celebrate and thank those who give their time to working behind the scenes at our local sporting clubs and groups.

Last year, 91-year-old Nevil Jeynes won the award for his work in supporting non-league football with Dudley Town FC over 40 years.

The Cedric Hardwicke Award for arts, is in memory of Sir Cedric, born at Lye Cross in 1893. He went on to become a legend of the British stage and a leader of the British community in Hollywood. This is for people who have contributed to raising the profile of the arts in the borough – whether it be art, amateur dramatics, or music. This person may be the star of the show or they could work behind the scenes, helping to make it happen.

Sheila Littlewood, who runs an art and drama group for people with learning disabilities in Stourbridge, won the top prize last year.

The Frank Foley Award for community spirit, honours the man dubbed the British Schindler. Frank risked his life to save 10,000 Jews while working as an MI6 agent in Berlin. This is for people who make an outstanding contribution to the community – whether it’s popping in on a neighbour every day, organising or supporting community, sports or arts groups, or improving the locality for the benefit of everyone.

Last year, Marion Griffiths, a trustee and campaigner for the White House Cancer Support Group in Dudley, won the award.

The Thomas Attwood Award for education remembers a man, born in Halesowen in 1783, who was a leader for parliamentary reform. Thomas was instrumental in bringing about the 1832 Reform Act – which gave counties and large towns greater representation in parliament and virtually tripled the electorate. This award is for those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the standard of education in the borough. This may be someone who gives up their time to help at an after school club or who offers support to learners of all ages.

Last year, the winner was Jeanette Mackinney, a National College Local Leader of Education for her work raising the standards of education in the borough.

The William Shenstone award for environment celebrates the work of the famous landscape gardener. Shenstone was born on the family estate at The Leasowes, Halesowen, and was educated at the town’s grammar school. As a poet he was critically admired, but locally he is perhaps best remembered for developing the gardens at The Leasowes.

The Big Clean Up Group won the award last year for carrying out collection and clean-up events throughout the Netherton and St Andrews area.

The Mayor will make his personal choices for the Mayor’s Award, which is this year sponsored by Cougar Monitoring. The four nominees will then face a public vote in February, via the council’s website.

Last year, the Gentlemen Songsters male Voice Choir won the award for their entertainment and charity fundraising efforts.

The Mike Holder award for business is a new category this year and is in memory of Mike Holder, President of the Black Country Chamber for three years in succession. He was also well known for his work in championing local Black Country Business’s and their interests. Mike championed the effectiveness of the Black Country across the UK and continuously lobbied politicians and councils about the unique skills and infrastructure right here in Dudley.