We have a fantastic array of community groups and volunteers in our town.
In August 2024, Biddulph Town Council asked the Biddulph community to nominate their unsung heroes who make Biddulph a great place to live, work and socialise.
Representatives from the following local organisations were invited to attend a ‘Volunteer Recognition and Civic Award’ evening, held in the Town Hall on 24 September 2024, to thank them for their work and to celebrate the difference they make to our town:
Approach Staffordshire (Dementia Support)
Beth Johnson Bereavement Friendship Group
Biddulph & District Community Orchestra
Biddulph & District Genealogy and Historical Society
Biddulph & District Probus Club
Biddulph Amateur Swimming Club
Biddulph Branch of the Royal British Legion
Biddulph Community Sewing Group
Biddulph Community Wellbeing Group
Biddulph District Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
Biddulph Fairtrade Town Group
Biddulph Festival
Biddulph Foodbank
Biddulph in Bloom
Biddulph Ladies Afternoon Club
Biddulph Library
Biddulph Local People’s Group
Biddulph Male Voice Choir
Biddulph Methodist Church
Biddulph Moor Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers
Biddulph Moor Community Association
Biddulph Moor Evergreen Club
Biddulph Ramblers
Biddulph Running Club
Biddulph Trefoil Guild
Biddulph Twinning Association
Biddulph U3a
Biddulph Ukulele and Music Makers Club
BUG (Biddulph Ukulele Group)
Biddulph Youth & Community Zone
Brown Lees & District Community Association
Chatterley Vics Football Club
Christ Church, Biddulph Moor
Friends of Newpool Meadows
Greenway Moor Women’s Institute
Inner Wheel Club of Biddulph
Kingsfield Singers Ladies Choir
Knypersley Cricket Club
St John’s Church, Knypersley
Lifestream Church
Moorlands Voluntary & Community Transport
Rotary Club of Biddulph
Royal Air Force Air Cadets 2151 Squadron
St Lawrence’s Church, Biddulph
Staffordshire Moorlands Family Hub
Staged Dance & Drama Group
The Green Tree House Food Club & Tea Room
The Hideaway Cafe
The Royal Oak
Tribe Dance Academy
All groups were presented with a badge and certificate. Here’s some photos of volunteers being thanked and presented with their certificates by Councillor Nigel Yates, Biddulph’s Mayor 2024-2025:
Gaynor Moreton and Karen Sayer
Approach Staffordshire (Dementia Support)
Jane Keeling
Biddulph Local People’s Group
David Ludlow
Biddulph & District Probus Club
Ellen Roberts
Biddulph Community Sewing Group
Rev Yanyan Case
Biddulph Methodist Church
Robert Arrowsmith
Biddulph Moor Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers
Civic Awards
Voted for by members of the public.
Culture
This award recognises an individual or groups work that has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Biddulph. This could include art, music, craft and photography, film, theatre etc.
The Culture award was presented by Councillor Adrian Lawton: ‘There were a number of nominations for this group, all of whom praised the members for singing for the people of Biddulph for over 100 years and being winners of local and national awards that spread the name of Biddulph across the country. They have supported the Town Council with civic events and raising funds for the Mayor’s Charities.’
Winner: Biddulph Male Voice Choir
The photo below shows Councillor Adrian Lawton presenting Ian Barber of Biddulph Male Voice Choir with their Culture award.
Business
This award recognises a local business that has gone above and beyond. This can also be a business that promotes Biddulph as a visitor destination, such as a campsite, B&B, visitor site, or local attraction.
The Business award was presented by Councillor Wayne Rogers: ‘We found this category impossible to choose as the nominees are all excellent in their own fields. Three winners were celebrated.
Providing great entertainment brings the community together. This is a safe place supporting the town centre with new and innovative ideas. The Town Council appreciates their advice and support in raising the profile of the town.’
Winner: The Royal Oak
The photo below shows Councillor Wayne Rogers presenting Steve Cannon of The Royal Oak with their Business award.
‘A hardworking friendly team offer a welcoming environment to new visitors to the town or regulars, enhancing the tourism offer. A ‘hidden gem’ in a beautiful Country Park.’
Winner: The Hideaway Café
The photo below shows Councillor Wayne Rogers presenting Cath Brandall of The Hideaway Cafe with their Business award.
‘The team here go above and beyond, supporting the community to access food and other services. Always seeking ways to work in partnership with others, and now enhancing our High Street with two premises.’
Winner: The Green Tree House Food Club & Tea Room
The photo below shows Councillor Wayne Rogers presenting Yvonne Bennison and Alicia Bennison of The Green Tree House with their Business award.
Community Wellbeing
This award recognises an individual or group that has gone above and beyond in supporting the people of Biddulph. This could be people who deliver food or medication, check in on their neighbour’s well-being, Food Bank / Free Food, etc.
The Community Wellbeing award was presented by Councillor Adam Parkes; two winners were celebrated:
‘A founding member of the Biddulph Local Peoples Group, this winner runs two groups every week supporting all the members to try new activities and make new friends, tackling social isolation and loneliness. She is also a crucial member of the Transport Working Group.
Winner: Margaret Jackson
The photo below shows Councillor Adam Parkes presenting Margaret Jackson with her Community Wellbeing award.
‘This individual is part of the Friday Coffee Morning at Biddulph Library – an expert in washing up! He is very welcoming and inclusive, looks out for new people and has been particularly supportive to people who have recently been bereaved.’
Winner: Terry McHugh
The photo below shows Councillor Adam Parkes presenting Terry McHugh with his Community Wellbeing award.
Environmental
This award recognises great work and contribution towards caring for the natural and built environment. These people are inspiring and innovative, putting the environment at the heart of their activities.
The Environmental award was presented by the Council’s Chief Officer, Mrs Sarah Haydon; two winners were celebrated:
‘You will often see our winners around town weeding, planting and clearing for the benefit of our community. Come rain or shine they can be called upon to plant trees and make our town beautiful. They are long-serving members of Biddulph in Bloom and have been a great support to the Town Council.’
Winners: John Leason and Jean Nixon
The photo below shows Mrs Sarah Haydon presenting John Leason and Jean Nixon with their Environmental awards.
Sport
This award recognises a group or individuals sporting achievement for Biddulph. Be it playing, organising, or contributing to sporting development.
The Sport award was presented by Councillor Neil Eardley. There were two winners:
‘The first winner offers a wide range of dance opportunities and showcases the skills of their young people at regional dance competitions. They show just how amazing Biddulph people are! Children make friends for life at this group!’
Winner: Tribe Dance Academy
‘This football club has grown significantly over the past five years accommodating around 150 children from u6 to u16, male and female, playing across three leagues. There are 35 volunteer coaches developing the children both physically and mentally as they progress through their football journey. The club works with local schools to improve their sports facilities and has been granted over £20,000 investment for improvements to facilities. It is a pleasure to watch them grow.’
Winner: Chatterley Vics Football Club
The photo below shows Councillor Neil Eardley presenting Rob Menzies of Chatterley Vics Football Club with their Sport award.
Youth
This award recognises an individual or group of young people aged 18 and under who have made an outstanding contribution to their local area of Biddulph as a whole. This could include physical or social media activities.
The Youth award was presented by Councillor Jill Salt; there were two winners:
‘These young people support other young people in a youth work environment, significantly impacting the community by engaging them in positive activities and reducing crime rates. They organise targeted programs and initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by young people, particularly those at risk of falling into criminal behaviour.’
Winner: Biddulph Youth and Community Zone Youth Leaders
The photo below shows Councillor Jill Salt presenting Antony Capostagno of Biddulph Youth & Community Zone with their Youth award.
‘This group provides an amazing opportunity for Biddulph’s young people through the provision of a range of youth theatre projects. They run regular weekly sessions in dance and drama offering young people the chance to learn theatre skills. Their holiday workshops offer both performance and technical theatre skills for young people. The ‘Seniors’ have taken on new roles, creating, writing, producing and performing new material. These are then showcased to the people of Biddulph enriching the cultural scene in the town and attracting people from outside the town.’
Winner: Staged Dance and Drama
The photo below shows Councillor Jill Salt presenting Angela Williams and Katie Thompson of Staged Dance & Drama with their Youth award.
Outstanding Contribution
This award recognises an individual’s continued commitment to the community over an extended period.
There were three winners in the Outstanding Contribution category, presented by Councillor Nigel Yates, Mayor of Biddulph 2024-2025.
‘This winner sits on several committees which make the communities of Biddulph and Biddulph Moor a better place, including Biddulph Moor Village Hall Committee, Biddulph Moor Community Association, Biddulph Festival, the Twinning Committee and she plays a key role in the production of “What’s on the Moor”.
Winner: Jacky Nevill
The photo below shows Councillor Nigel Yates presenting Jacky Nevill with her Outstanding Contribution award.
‘With years of commitment to the Brownies, Royal British Legion and a whole range of community initiatives. She is in inspiration to young people and those who have served their country. Where would the Biddulph Festival be without her trolley!’
Winner: Elaine Rice
The photo below shows Councillor Nigel Yates presenting Elaine Rice with her Outstanding Contribution award.
‘With an incredible energy and enthusiasm for reducing food waste and supporting those in our community to access food and the other services that they need. She is innovative, caring and an advocate for all who need her. Playing a fundamental role in the Biddulph Works Together project.’
Winner: Jackie Menzies
The photo below shows Councillor Nigel Yates presenting Jackie Menzies with her Outstanding Contribution award.
The evening ended with a toast to Biddulph’s volunteers and community groups and to Biddulph.
A big thank you to everyone who attended. Biddulph Town Council appreciates all that you do in our community.
We’re planning on this becoming an annual event. If you’d like your group to be included in the future, please make sure you’re included in our Clubs, Groups and Societies booklet.