News
Two University of Wolverhampton students are celebrating after achieving Express & Star awards at their graduation ceremony.
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Events
The Express & Star has called on readers to nominate the selfless stars of the local community for the first Express & Star Heroes Awards 2019.
Launched in print and online on Thursday, the awards are being sponsored by leading local companies and brands including McDonald’s, Marston’s, whg, Paycare and HomeServe.
Following on from the success of the Great Big Thank You awards, the Express & Star Heroes Awards 2019 will celebrate the unsung heroes of the community and shine a spotlight on the people and organisations that bind it together.
The Express & Star wants to find individuals and groups from across the region who make a difference on a day to day basis to the people around them and to recognise their efforts.
To find out more, go to heroes.expressandstar.co.uk
The launch supplement in Thursday’s edition included the following article: Do you know someone who is constantly putting others before themselves by going above and beyond to provide a helping hand?
Is there a volunteer who has clocked up decades of work in the community or a teacher or coach who goes the extra mile to inspire their pupils?
Are you aware of a good neighbour who has helped your area to improve and flourish against the odds or a health worker who is always looking to make their patients’ lives easier?
We think it’s about time they receive the recognition they deserve.
The Express & Star Heroes Awards 2019 will celebrate the unsung heroes of our community and shine a spotlight on the people and organisations that bind it together.
The Express & Star has teamed up with a number of key businesses to reward the heroes of the Black Country and South Staffordshire.
We want to find individuals and groups from across the region who make a difference on a day to day basis to the people around them, and to recognise their efforts.
From the volunteers, to the young stars, from the helping hands, to sports men and women and for all those who step up when they are needed are encouraged to enter.
They may be members of your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, someone you see regularly or someone who you have heard about and found their story inspirational.
In order to keep the local community at the heart of the awards, we are asking you our readers to nominate potential winners via the newspaper and online now.
1. Amateur Power of Sport Award
Sponsored by McDonalds
This award will be made to an individual or team that is using sport to make a significant difference within their local community by helping people to overcome challenges they face on a day to day basis.
2. Ambassador of the year
Sponsored by Paycare
This award recognises the person who has done the most to promote their Black Country roots within their chosen charity, team or hobby and play a vital role within the community.
3. Beyond the call of duty/ Emergency Services
Sponsored by HomeServe
This award is for 999 workers and members of the Armed Forces.
4. Carer of the year
Sponsored by McDonald’s
This award recognises someone who helps to support other people, a family member, friend or relative.
5. Community Champion
(Individual or Group)
Sponsored by HomeServe
This is an individual or group who has served, inspired or performed and have given something back to their community over the course of the year.
6. Fundraiser/ Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Mander Centre
This award is for someone who regularly puts others before themselves; someone who is generous with their time to support an individual or group.
7. Hero of the NHS
Sponsored by Paycare
This award is for people who work or volunteer within the NHS and make a difference to the lives of patients they care for.
8. Young Star
Sponsored by Mander Centre
This award celebrates the young person, aged 16 or under, who has gone above and beyond in achieving their goals in the past 12 months.
9. Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by whg
Chosen by Martin Wright, Express & Star Editor-in-Chief, this award will be given to an individual or group deserving special recognition within the local community.
To find out more, go to heroes.expressandstar.co.uk
News
A family-run chip shop has been named the best “plaice” for the cuisine in Sandwell – for the third year running.
The Port chip shop in Dudley Port saw off fierce competition to be named Chip Shop of the Year for Sandwell in the Express & Star’s competition.
Chippies were rated by the number of tokens handed in by readers, while there was also a mystery shopper element which saw the takeaway taste tested.
Manager Manny Dhariwal described the hat-trick of awards as “amazing” – and put his success down to customers, staff and quality products.
He said: “It’s amazing. It’s great to win it three times on the bounce and the fact we can repeat the quality and the success of it is amazing.
“The chip shop is owned by three brothers – I’m the nephew to two of them.
“I would like to give a huge thank you to the customers more than anyone else – especially over the years. For them to keep coming to us and helping us grow as a small business is incredible.
“The one thing that we emphasise is using quality products – that we don’t negotiate on. We get the best fish, potatoes and kebab and we keep that quality.
“The staff are brilliant and their relationship with the customers is fantastic. Without them, we wouldn’t have a smooth sailing ship.”
Mr Dhariwal’s family reopened The Port in 2015, marking 30 years since the previous owner shut the doors of former chip shop Guest Fish and Chips.
And since then, the chippy has aimed to create a sense of nostalgia among its older customers by offering an unusual
dish.
“The main thing is that we cook our battered chips in beef dripping to create nostalgia – especially for the older people and that’s a recipe that’s worked for us,” he said.
“The heritage of the chip shop is close to 50 years. It was a chip shop then and when we reopened, it’s always had an attraction and a heritage there and to continue that success is fantastic.
“It’s like with everything – things are always going up and trading is so hard and the fact we can still run a success business through this time is amazing.”
Family-run chippy The Codfather, on Brades Road, came runner-up in the competition. Raan Kandola, manager of the Oldbury-based business, said: “We would like to thank the customers. They are very very loyal.”
Despite finishing second, the 52-year-old said it had been a “nice experience” to take part. She added: “We tried really hard this year. But we said at the beginning to all customers, even if we don’t win it’s been an experience.”
George’s Fish Bar, on Great Bridge Street in West Bromwich, finished third.