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This award honours a child (age 16 and under) who has shown extraordinary courage in facing difficult challenges—whether through illness, trauma, or other adversity. We want to hear about their bravery, strength, and inspiring character.

What the judges are looking for:

About the Child

• Briefly introduce the child—age, background, and situation.

The Challenge Faced

• Describe the adversity or difficulty the child has faced (illness, accident, personal hardship, etc.).

Acts of Courage

• Explain how the child has shown bravery or exceptional character.
• Examples might include how they have coped, helped others, stayed positive, or overcome obstacles.

Impact on Others

• How has the child inspired or supported family, friends, or the wider community?
• Share any testimonials or messages of support that highlight their strength.

Why They Deserve Recognition

• Summarise what makes this child’s courage extraordinary.
• What can others learn from their story?

Supporting Information
Feel free to include quotes, letters, or testimonials from family, friends, teachers, or healthcare professionals to strengthen the nomination.

This award honours an individual or team who has shown dedication, passion, and perseverance in sport—whether through outstanding performance, teamwork, or simply keeping the spirit of sport alive during challenging times.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Who Are You Nominating?

• Share the name and background of the individual or team.
• What sport(s) are they involved in, and in what role?

2. Achievements in Sport

• What have they accomplished this year or recently?
• This could be personal milestones, team successes, competitions, or improvement through hard work.

3. Teamwork & Determination

• How have they demonstrated commitment, resilience, or leadership?
• Include stories of persistence, overcoming setbacks, or supporting others.

4. Positive Impact

• How have they inspired others or contributed to their team, club, or wider community?
• Highlight any mentoring, volunteering, or encouragement of participation in sport.

5. Why They Deserve This Award

• In your own words, tell us why this person or team stands out.
• Focus on heart, effort, and dedication—not just medals or titles.

As part of the race to Net zero, we want to recognise the businesses who are playing their part by reducing their environmental impact. Are you an organisation that has dramatically reduced your carbon footprint? Or maybe you have launched a new product range which helps customers to reduce their environmental impact. Whatever the business we want to hear the success stories for those that are making a positive impact on the environment.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Environmental Impact Reduction

• How has your business reduced its carbon footprint or environmental impact?
• Share specific actions like energy efficiency, waste reduction, or sustainable sourcing.

2. Innovative Products or Services

• Have you launched new products or services that help customers reduce their environmental footprint?
• Describe these innovations and their benefits.

3. Commitment & Leadership

• How does your business demonstrate leadership in sustainability?
• Talk about policies, employee engagement, or industry collaboration.

4. Measurable Results

• What tangible results or improvements can you share?
• Include data on emissions reductions, waste diverted, or other environmental metrics.

5. Future Plans & Vision

• What are your goals for continuing or expanding your environmental efforts?
• Share your long-term sustainability strategy.

This award celebrates a person or group who is making a real difference in their community. It’s about recognising those who go above and beyond—often without expecting anything in return.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Who Are You Nominating?

• Tell us about the person or group you’re putting forward.
• What do they do and how are they involved in the community?

2. What Have They Done?

• Describe the activities, projects, or efforts they’ve led or taken part in.
• This could include volunteering, organising local events, helping vulnerable people, mentoring others, or any form of community support.

3. Impact on the Community

• How has their work helped others or improved the local area?
• Share specific examples of the difference they’ve made.

4. Going Above and Beyond

• What makes their contribution special or inspiring?
• Have they shown exceptional dedication, compassion, or leadership?

5. Lasting Difference

• Is their work making a long-term impact?
• Tell us how their actions continue to benefit the community over time.

Charities and CICs will always need support to help raise vital funds for their cause. This award is to recognise those fundraisers who are employed by a charity or CIC. The winner will clearly be dedicated to the cause, and passionate about the work they do to help others.

What the judges are looking for:

1. About the Nominee

• Who are they and what role do they play in their organisation?
• How long have they been involved in fundraising?

2. Fundraising Achievements

• What significant fundraising successes have they achieved recently?
• Include details like amounts raised, campaigns led, or new fundraising initiatives.

3. Passion and Dedication

• How does their commitment to the cause show in their work?
• Describe their motivation, enthusiasm, and impact on their team or community.

4. Creativity & Innovation

• Have they introduced new ideas or approaches to fundraising?
• Mention any unique events, partnerships, or campaigns they’ve developed.

5. Impact on the Organisation and Community

• How has their fundraising contributed to the charity’s mission or beneficiaries?
• Share stories of how their efforts have made a difference.

This Award recognises an establishment or manufacturer whose cuisine or beverages are of the highest quality, demonstrates excellent customer service and celebrates the best of local ingredients.

Open to all food and drink providers and producers: this includes cafés, restaurants, hotels and pubs as well as artisan delis, specialist food makers, breweries and distilleries.

Note: Businesses must have a food hygiene rating of 4 or above to be eligible.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Quality of Food or Drink

• What makes your food or beverages stand out?
• Talk about flavour, freshness, presentation, or customer favourites.

2. Customer Experience

• How do you ensure excellent service?
• Include things like atmosphere, staff approach, or reviews.

3. Use of Local Ingredients

• How do you support local producers or use regional ingredients?
• Share examples of how you celebrate local flavours.

4. Innovation & Uniqueness

• What makes your business different?
• Mention creative menus, unique products, or any special touches.

5. Business Impact

• How have you grown, supported your community, or helped the local economy?
• Talk about events, partnerships, or local collaborations.

6. Sustainability & Responsibility

• Are you doing anything to reduce waste or operate more sustainably?
• This might include eco-friendly packaging, sourcing practices, or food waste reduction.

This award will be presented to the organisation that can demonstrate the most significant contribution to improving the district’s offering as a tourism destination over the past couple of years and is open to any organisation connected to leisure or business tourism.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Tourism Impact

• How has your business contributed to attracting more visitors to the area?
• Share numbers, visitor feedback, or any signs of growth.

2. Experience & Service

• How do you give visitors a great experience?
• Talk about your customer service, unique offerings, or memorable experiences.

3. Innovation & Creativity

• Have you done anything new or different that helped attract tourists?
• This could include events, marketing campaigns, collaborations, or digital initiatives.

4. Local Benefit

• How has your business supported the local economy or community?
• Mention local partnerships, job creation, or support for other businesses.

5. Sustainability & Responsibility

• What steps are you taking to protect the environment and promote responsible tourism?
• Include any eco-friendly practices or community-based initiatives.

6. Vision for the Future

• What are your plans to keep growing or improving your tourism offering?
• Share your goals and ideas for continuing to support the district as a top destination.

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with a workforce of 1-50 staff who is excelling in their field

What the judges are looking for:

1. Business Success

• How has your business grown or improved in the last year or two?
• Share any key achievements, growth in revenue, or new customers/markets.

2. Innovation & Problem Solving

• Have you introduced any new products, services, or creative ideas?
• How have you adapted to changes or challenges in your industry?

3. Customer Focus

• How do you make sure your customers are happy?
• You can include testimonials, feedback, or anything that shows strong customer service.

4. Team & Culture

• What makes your team or workplace special?
• Talk about how you support and value your staff.

5. Community & Environment

• Do you give back to the community or care for the environment?
• Tell us about any local involvement, charity work, or sustainability efforts.

6. Future Plans

• What’s next for your business?
• Share your goals and how you plan to keep growing or improving.

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with a workforce of 51+ staff who is excelling in their field.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Business Performance

• How has your business grown or improved in recent years?
• Share achievements, milestones, and how you’ve performed in your industry.

2. Innovation & Leadership

• Have you introduced new ideas, services, or technologies?
• How are you leading change or setting new standards in your field?

3. Customer and Stakeholder Value

• How do you deliver outstanding service or value to your customers?
• Include any feedback, awards, or strategies that show your customer focus.

4. Workplace Culture & Team Development

• How do you support your people?
• Talk about leadership, staff wellbeing, training, or diversity and inclusion efforts.

5. Community & Environmental Impact

• How is your business making a positive difference beyond profit?
• Share any sustainability efforts, charitable work, or community involvement.

6. Vision for the Future

• What are your goals and how are you planning for future success?
• Highlight your long-term strategies, ambitions, or areas of planned growth.

This award celebrates a business that truly values its employees and creates a great place to work. We want to hear how you support, develop, and inspire your team.

What the judges are looking for:

• 1. Employee Development & Training
  How do you help your staff grow and improve?
• Share details about training programs, career progression, or skill development.

2. Workplace Culture & Communication

• How do you encourage open communication, creativity, and teamwork?
• Talk about how ideas are shared and how employees feel involved.

3. Staff Wellbeing & Support

• What do you do to care for your employees’ wellbeing?
• Mention benefits, support programs, work-life balance, or health initiatives.

4. Employee Retention & Engagement

• How do you keep your team motivated and loyal?
• Include staff retention rates, recognition programs, or feedback results.

5. Business Success Through People

• How has your commitment to your people contributed to your business success?
• Share examples where investing in staff has made a clear impact.

This award recognises a dynamic contribution a company has made to the local community by supporting local charities, initiatives or other community events.

Note: This category is not open to charities, CICs or community focused organisations.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Community Involvement

• What have you done to support your local community?
• Include any partnerships with local charities, schools, events, or causes.

2. Impact Made

• What difference has your involvement made?
• Share real examples—like the number of people helped, money raised, or feedback received.

3. Employee Engagement

• How do your staff take part in community efforts?
• Mention things like volunteering, fundraising, or workplace giving programmes.

4. Long-Term Commitment

• Is your community work part of a bigger picture?
• Talk about any ongoing programmes, partnerships, or future plans to continue giving back.

5. Creativity & Leadership

• Have you taken a unique approach or inspired others to get involved?
• Highlight any new ideas, collaborations, or leadership in the community space.

This award recognises exciting and successful businesses that have launched within the last two years. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or a fast-growing start-up, we want to hear how you're making an impact.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Your Business Story

• Why and how did you start the business?
• What problem are you solving or what gap are you filling in the market?

2. Early Achievements

• What milestones have you reached so far?
• Share examples of growth, happy customers, media attention, or other wins.

3. Innovation & Differentiation

• What makes your business different from others?
• Talk about your product, service, brand, or way of working.

4. Customer Focus

• How do you attract, serve, and retain your customers?
• Include examples of positive feedback, repeat business, or your customer approach.

5. Challenges & Resilience

• What hurdles have you overcome?
• Show your problem-solving skills, determination, or ability to adapt.

6. Vision for the Future

• Where are you headed next?
• Share your short- and long-term goals, and how you plan to grow or improve.

This award recognises an individual who makes a positive impact in the community but often works behind the scenes, without much public recognition. They could be a charity worker, teacher, group leader, or anyone whose dedication deserves to be celebrated.

What the judges are looking for:

1. Who Are You Nominating?

• Tell us about the person and their role in the community.
• What do they do that makes them an ‘unsung hero’?

2. Contribution & Impact

• Describe the work they do and how it benefits others.
• Share specific examples or stories showing their dedication.

3. Why They’re Special

• What makes this person stand out from others?
• Highlight qualities like kindness, commitment, humility, or perseverance.

4. Difference Made

• How has their work helped individuals, groups, or the wider community?
• Include any feedback or testimonials if possible.

This award celebrates a person who has been active in the area, either in business or the community for 25 years or more. Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding leadership, implementation of change or new innovations, inspiring and developing others, achievements in business and demonstration of a strong connection to the local economy and communities.

What the judges are looking for:

Background and Connection

• Briefly introduce the nominee and their connection to the local area.
• Outline their career or community involvement over the years.

Leadership and Influence

• Describe their leadership qualities and how they have inspired others.
• Include examples of mentoring, team development, or community leadership.

Achievements and Innovations

• Highlight major accomplishments in business or community projects.
• Share any innovative ideas or changes they have implemented.

Impact on Local Economy and Community

• Explain how their work has contributed to economic growth or community wellbeing.
• Mention partnerships, investments, or initiatives benefiting the local area.

Legacy and Inspiration

• How has this person inspired others and left a lasting legacy?
• Share testimonials or stories showing their influence.