Members of the Nantwich community were honoured tonight at the 2026 Mayor’s Salt of the Earth Awards.
In one of her final engagements of her mayoral year, Cllr Mary Slinn handed out awards to deserving volunteers, organisations and residents who have gone above and beyond.
There were a number of different categories honoured at Nantwich Civic Hall, as well as special recognition for some people.
The awards are designed to reward those people who go “under the radar” for the work they do for the community.
Many of these devote hours of of service as volunteers to groups across the town, others commit to charity work, while some have gone the extra mile to provide an invaluable service for Nantwich.
Firstly, the Mayor’s Acknowledgements were awarded to PSCOs Alexis Barrington and Lee Berry, who have served the town with distinction but are now leaving to be deployed elsewhere.
Another to receive this honour was Hamish Frood, who many know for his 55 years of dedication working for local company Chatwins and as a regular cheery character at Nantwich Market.
A new honour which is now part of the Salt of the Earth awards is The Dutton Prize.
It was first awarded by Nantwich Museum after Ron Dutton donated a series of medals to the museum more than 30 years ago.
This year, the prize was awarded to Cllr Arthur Moran, a popular and well-known public servant of Nantwich.
Cllr Moran has been a town councillor for almost 40 years, has served as town Mayor four times, as well as Cheshire East Mayor, and is also a retired JP.
Other awards dished out included the “Supporting Sports Award” which went to Need Golf, based near Reaseheath College, for its work in opening opportunities for young people to enjoy the sport.
The “Community Volunteer Award” was jointly won by Martin Field and Beryl Riley, who both volunteer at Nantwich Museum and the Community Health Garden at Brookfield Park.
The “Outstanding Organisation Award” was jointly won by Nantwich Concert Band and the Churches Together group for their Christmas Dinner initiative, where volunteers help to serve a festive meal to lonely and vulnerable people in the town on December 25th.
The “Young Achievers Award” was won by Joe Morrison, who has managed the Nantwich Youth Community Centre (NYCC) over the past year, helping it grow and become a centre of inclusivity and friendship for youngsters in the town.
Canalside Garden Centre in Wrenbury scooped the “Business Support in the Community” award for its help towards the community wellbeing garden in the town.
And the “Inspiring Individual Award” was jointly won by Sarah Johansen, for her volunteer work with the community garden, and Mark Betteley for all the work he does with Nantwich in Bloom.
Finally, the special “Mayor’s Recognition Award” was won by Michael-John Parkin, who has been a member of the Nantwich Agricultural Society for many year, helping to organise the annual Nantwich Show in the town.
(Images courtesy of Nantwich Events Photography)
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