THE search is on for Whitchurch’s Citizen of the Year as the popular contest returns for its eighth year.

The public will be asked once to nominate their number one citizen, that person who goes above and beyond to give back to the community in Whitchurch.

Whitchurch Town Council proper officer Mike McDonald, who introduced the Citizen of the Year in 2015 when he was mayor and a councillor in conjunction with the Whitchurch Herald, is calling on residents to put forward their nominations.

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“Whitchurch has a long tradition of people going the ‘extra mile’ to support others,” he said.

“This award seeks to celebrate those local heroes who constantly put others before themselves, without the need for praise or recognition, a unique characteristic which makes ‘Whitchurch Stronger Together’.”

The award seeks to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of their communities during the preceding 12 months.

In 2022, the Whitchurch public chose Sheila Chase for this honour to recognise her phenomenal fundraising efforts for the West Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by lighting up her Chester Road home with Christmas decorations.

The 2023 winner will join Shiela and six others as the toast of the town – with a blank year in the competition in 2020 because of Covid-19.

The first winner was in 2015 with Betty Jukes who was followed by cancer charity fundraiser Gwynneth Rollins while British Legion representative and former town councillor Rose Snell was nominated in 2017.

In 2018, Arthur Skitt was named winner while 12 months later, Keith Robinson was announced Citizen of the Year before 2021’s winner was Jennifer McHale.

Mr McDonald added: “Nominations for this year’s award are welcomed in the following categories – fundraiser, charity worker, volunteer, good neighbour, sports achievement, young person, personal achievement or community hero.”

Nominations can be submitted online via the town council’s website at whitchurchtowncouncil.gov.uk or by completing a nomination form available from the council’s Reception Hub on 01948 665761.

Get in touch

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Nominations close on Sunday, October 1 and a public vote will select the overall winner from shortlisted nominations between Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, November 12.

The 2023 Whitchurch Citizen of the Year will have the honour of switching on the town’s Christmas Lights with Whitchurch Mayor, Councillor Andy Hall on Saturday, November 25.

Nominators will be asked to put together reasons for their nominations in 200 words or fewer.