Following the judging of gardens and allotments in this year’s Ferryhill in Bloom Competition, Annual Art, Photography and Poetry Exhibition, Civic Awards and to acknowledge the hard work of Ferryhill’s retiring councillors, a Presentation Evening was held at the Masonic Hall in Ferryhill on Thursday, 24 September.

Approximately 75 people attended the event, which saw Town Mayor, Cllr Curtis Bihari present awards, certificates and prizes to the winners, in what proved to be a very successful evening, with residents, councillors and town council staff coming together to celebrate different aspects of Ferryhill’s community.

At the end of the evening, a special award was presented by the Mayor to Michael Moody, in recognition of 29 years’ dedicated service to community policing in Ferryhill. Unfortunately, Michael was unable to attend the event, so his colleagues, Craig McGuire and Peter Newman attended on his behalf to collect the award.

A special award of Honorary Burgess was also presented to Peter Atkinson in recognition of his dedicated service to both Ferryhill Town Council and Durham County Council. The Honorary Burgess Award is the highest civic distinction a local council can bestow. While it carries no official governing duties, legal powers or special rights, it recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution through their service to the local community.

Peter said he was “incredibly grateful and proud” to receive the honour and expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has supported him throughout his years of public service. He also thanked the current town councillors and council staff for supporting his nomination and for recognising his contribution to Ferryhill and its community.

A raffle took place throughout the evening, which in total raised £103. The funds raised will go towards the Mayor’s Charity, Bright Futures Ferryhill CIC.

Ferryhill Town Council, who organised the event, would like to say a huge thank you to Windlestone Nurseries for sponsoring this year’s Ferryhill in Bloom Competition and providing gift vouchers for the winners. They also thanked Viv and her team at the Masonic Hall, for providing an excellent venue for the event, with a delicious buffet.

Winners of the competitions and retiring Councillors being presented were as follows:

Art, Photography & Poetry Exhibition

Winner of Best Artwork – Olwen Fennessy for ‘Saltholme’
Best Children’s Artwork – Mia Tomkinson for ‘Fun Day Out at the Beach’
Winner of Best Photograph – John Craig Humble for ‘Turn it to the Left’
Winner of Best Poetry – Jane Pennick for ‘The Storm’

Ferryhill in Bloom Competition

Front Garden Category
Commended – Mick Mundell
Commended – Jean Hardy
Highly Commended – Paul Slater
3rd Place – Joanna Baxter
2nd Place – Gordon Harris
1st Place – Jeff Talbott
   
Back Garden Category  
Commended – Jean Hardy
Commended – Paul Slater
Commended – Karen Dowling
Highly Commended – Mick Mundell
Highly Commended – Kay Slater
3rd Place – Gordon Harris
2nd Place – Susan Osment
1st Place – Vivien Auton

Back Yard Category 
2nd Place – Danuta Rykowska
1st Place – Joanna Orlowska

Commercial Premises Category  
1st Place – The Garth

Allotment Competition

Best Allotment Plot on Each Allotment Site
East End Allotments – George Chaytor
Paxton Street Allotments – David Salisbury
Storehouse Allotments – Mr & Mrs Reseigh
Mainsforth Row Allotments – Mr & Mrs Bullock

Best Overall Allotment Plot Across All Sites – George Chaytor

Best Overall Allotment Site – East End Allotments

Civic Awards
Stephen Marshall For Services to the Community
Jennifer Scriver For Services to the Community
Jean Flook In Recognition of an Outstanding Contribution to the Ferryhill Remembers Poppy Net
Daniel Dunnett For Services to Grassroots Football
Richard O’Neill In Recognition of Services to Mainsforth Amateur Boxing & Fitness Club
Andy Denholm For Charitable Fundraising and In Recognition of Ongoing Commitment to
Supporting Ferryhill’s War Heroes
Joanna Baxter In Recognition of 50 Years Service to Library Provision in Ferryhill

Retiring Councillors
Angus Ferguson

Honorary Burgess Award for a Councillor Serving their community for 18 years
including Two Terms as Mayor
Peter Atkinson

Mayor’s Special Award
Michael Moody in recognition of 29 years’ dedicated service to community Policing in Ferryhill.