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News, News Titles

The search to honour our great community heroes has begun

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25th April 2019

- News, News Titles

Do you know a special person in Shropshire who goes beyond the call of duty to help others? The Shropshire Star thinks they deserve a special thank you. A Great Big Thank You.


Today we launch our search for the special people who make Shropshire and Mid Wales such a wonderful place to live. And we’re looking for your help.


We are on the hunt for people who selflessly give up their time for the good of others, so we can give them the recognition they deserve but don’t always get.


We want to honour the unsung heroes of Shropshire and Mid Wales by holding a memorable awards ceremony for them to show them how much they are valued.


The Shropshire Star, working with our sponsor partners, will shine a spotlight on the people and organisations that bind our community together.


We want to hear all about the volunteers, the good neighbours, the helping hands and those who step up when they are needed – the people who make a positive difference to where you live and work.


It could be a member of your family, a work colleague, a community volunteer, someone who helps a local team or club, or just someone who makes a special difference to local life.


As a newspaper which prides itself on being at the centre of life in this wonderful county we believe it is important to honour those who do the area proud through leading by example.


In more than half a century chronicling events in the county, we have covered countless stories of people who have done remarkable things.


This is the second year that we have run the Great Big Thank You Awards.


Last year eight awards were presented, ranging from 12-year-old McKenzie Smith who refused to let cerebral palsy prevent him from indulging in his love of sport to pub landlords Edd and Sue Lowe, who have raised £125,000 for forces charities.


This year’s scheme promises to be bigger and brighter, with 11 awards categories recognising people who do good from across the spectrum. We are looking for volunteers who selflessly give up their time for the good of the community, and a young star who has achieved great things.


There is an award for heroes who have shown outstanding bravery, and one for those who work to improve the environment.


We are also looking to honour carers who show special devotion to those they look after, and community champions who have made a special effort to improve the area in which they live.


Farming plays a hugely important part of life here in Shropshire and Mid Wales, and this year we are looking for people who have made a special contribution in this area. We also recognise the important role that grandparents, teachers and good neighbours can play, and we would like to hear about those who have done something special.


Whatever they do, we want to hear about them from you.


Tell us why this person or group is so special and nominate them for one of the Shropshire Star’s prestigious Great Big Thank You Awards – which will bring them the recognition they deserve. We are asking readers to nominate individuals for each category before our deadline of May 18.


A panel of judges will then choose the finalists, with the winners being chosen by our readers in a public vote.


The winners will then be invited, along with a guest, to an awards afternoon at Hadley Park House Hotel on October 10.


They will be joined by the campaign sponsors to enjoy afternoon tea before they are presented with their prizes and trophies, which have been designed by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry.


Help us to give them the thanks they deserve. Go to the website here to make a nomination: https://www.starthankyou.shropshirestar.co.uk/

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News

Great Big Thank You Awards offer recognition that is so well deserved

By on

25th April 2019

- News

Martin Wright, MNA Editor-in-Chief, writes: In the six years that I have been an editor of the Shropshire Star, one thing has been clearly apparent.

We are all very lucky to live and work in such a wonderful area.

Lucky because of the beautiful countryside, the fantastic market towns, but most of all because of all the wonderful people who make it such a friendly and welcoming place to be.

But there are some people who go further than that. Much further.

And we think they deserve a bit of extra recognition. Which is why I am delighted, for the second year running, to announce the Shropshire Star’s Great Big Thank You Awards.

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the wonderful awards ceremony at Hadley Park Hotel. It was a special occasion, with a superb afternoon tea in a delightful setting.

But what really made it so memorable was meeting the wonderful people who had been presented with the awards, and hearing the remarkable stories that had led to them being chosen.

It was all the sweeter for the fact that while a panel of judges was used to choose the finalists, the eventual winners were chosen by you – our loyal band of Shropshire Star readers. The Great Big Thank You Awards are not just to honour the people of Shropshire and Mid Wales, but they are also chosen by the people of Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Working in the news industry shows you just how quickly time passes, and now it is time to look for some more unsung heroes. And once more we are looking for your help.

Do you know somebody who deserves a bit of recognition for the work they do in the community?

If so please let us know. Go to the website here to make a nomination: https://www.starthankyou.shropshirestar.co.uk/

By definition, the type of people who selflessly serve their community are not the type to seek credit for their work, but we think they deserve to be honoured.

This year we are seeking nominations for 11 different awards, and we are sure you will know somebody who fits the bill.

Don’t worry if you are not sure which category to nominate them for – just get the nomination in, and we’ll do the rest.

It doesn’t matter if you nominated them last year, as long as they have continued their good works for the past year. For more details see the instructions opposite.

But even if you don’t know anybody who fits the bill, you still have a role to play.

Once the shortlist of finalists have been selected, we will be asking Shropshire Star readers to vote for the winners.

Let’s make this year’s awards even bigger and better than last year’s.

For the people who give so much this wonderful region, it is the least we can do.

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News

E&S photo archive team join Twitter celebration

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18th April 2019

- News

The Express & Star photo archive Twitter account is taking part in the #Archive30 campaign taking place throughout April. 
 
Archive30 is organised to celebrate photo archives and the history they preserve, as well as marking the work and dedication shown by those who work behind the scenes.
 
Every day the photo archive team are posting a photo based on the theme of the day. 
 
Visit the Twitter page here: https://twitter.com/ESPhotoArchive
 
Web users flocked to the new Express & Star photo archive website when the resource went live for free to the public last month.
 
In the first three weeks, 7,000 users clocked up 100,000 page impressions as they trawled the new resource, admiring images from the region’s industrial past which had not been seen since they appeared on the pages of the region’s most popular local newspaper in years gone by.
 
Around 3,000 historic photos of the Black Country and its surrounding areas have been digitised for future generations and published on the website: https://photo-archive.expressandstar.co.uk/
 
The Express & Star Photographic Collection partnership, co-ordinated with the University of Wolverhampton and council-run City Archives, received a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to digitise photographs dating back over the past century.
 
After volunteers gave the equivalent of 260 working days, the launch realised the partnership’s ambition of making the photos available through a single web portal, allowing free on-line public access for the first time.
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News, News Titles

Chip, chip, hooray! Third win in a row

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17th April 2019

- News, News Titles

A chip shop in Walsall has been voted the best in the area – for the third year running.
 
Aldridge Chippy 2, on Salters Road, has claimed the top prize in the Express & Star’s Chip Shop of the Year 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 Tryfonas Papettas said: “All the customers help us and we’re really pleased about the win.
 
“Nothing has changed with the quality of service – it’s still high. We would like to say a big thank you and we’re grateful for the customers’ support.
 
“As we try to always go for the best quality products and it’s a constant battle to always give the customer the best.
 
“Make sure everything is the same – customers can expect that all the time and there’s no changes.
 
“It’s really nice to win and we’re very happy about it. We’re going to carry on.”
 
Tryfonas, known as Triv, said the chip shop aimed to win it next year – but said it would be difficult.
 
He said: “You never know – there’s always somebody new but we can only try our best.”
 
The manager, who has been at the shop for nine years, said no plans had been made over what to do to celebrate the win, adding: “We’re going to try and do something with the staff and take them out, but we haven’t got any plans yet.
 
“We’re very happy but it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop – we will carry on and do the best we can.
 
“The important thing is the customers – they’re very happy with the win. They’re very grateful that we’ve won it.”
 
The chippy offers a wide variety of classic meals and holds a five-star food and hygiene award.
 
Mr Papettas, who comes from Sutton Coldfield, said the focus of the chip shop was to provide high quality food at a reasonable price.

 

Family-run business Pearl’s Fish Bar, Milton Street, Palfrey, finished as a runner-up.
 
Owner Shamim Ahmed said he was “very happy” to come second.
He said: “I’m very happy with it. I would like to thank the local community and all of the staff – which are qualified in food safety. We do some healthy options for the customers as well and we love to be a part of the company as a long-serving chip shop in the area.
 
“It gives me a sense of pride and that’s why they voted for us. I’ve been here a long time – about 20 years now.”
 
Mr Ahmed said customers like visiting the chip shop because of the food, service and to discuss local issues.
 
“It’s a family-run business and we live in the area. The customers come in and we chat about local issues and we’re doing litter-picking in the area because we want to keep it clean.
 
“That’s why I think people like us – and we provide a great service and great food.
 
“Staff always are very keen to provide a nice service to the customers and also spend some time and money for their training as well.
 
“The fish and healthy eating food and fresh fish and chips. They are very popular and it’s mainly the quality of the food.”
 

Broadway Chippy, Hawes Close, finished third in the competition.

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Events, News

MNA leads way with Black Country Business Festival

By on

17th April 2019

- Events, News

The MNA has played a leading role in shaping the Black Country Business Festival 2019, the second annual showcase for local industry.
 
The programme for the fortnight-long festival, which includes more than 100 live events across the region, was officially launched by editor-in-chief Martin Wright at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton on Tuesday.
 
The celebration will include large expos and gala dinners through to factory tours, small workshops and networking events.
 
The events will take place at venues all over the Black Country. Most are free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance and are available on a first come, first served basis. 
 
Kim Hazel and Darren Griffin, who partnered the Chamber to organise the publication and the advertising, both attended Tuesday’s launch.
 
Martin Wright said: “It’s fitting that as the biggest-selling regional daily newspaper in England we are supporting one of the country’s largest business events. 
 
“This is a region that is really going places and we at the Express & Star are delighted to support the festival and to be part of this wonderful success story.
 
“The 52-page brochure is packed with useful information about the festival, not least that all-important calendar of events, and it showcases the thriving business community we have here.”
 
 
The MNA is staging two events for the festival, which has eBay as the headline sponsor. 
 
The Star Public Relations “escape room” challenge on May 17, which will see delegates test their PR skills in real-time at the Grand Theatre, is fully booked.
 
Colleagues from across the MNA will take part in Content is Key: How to share your business news, which will be held at the Express & Star on May 21. 
 
John Corser, Express & Star business editor, will give his insight into how companies can ensure they get their messages to multiple audiences at once.  
 
He will also explain how he has adapted to the digital world and in particular, how his social media presence has developed a whole new audience. Delegates will be given guidance by Sundeep Sehijpal of Star PR.
 
 
At Tuesday’s launch, Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Business Festival founders the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “Things are really starting to heat up now. 
 
“We’ve got an extremely strong programme of over 100 useful, interesting, thought-provoking, exciting and engaging events that will benefit businesses across the Black Country and beyond, helping them to learn, share, interact, engage and grow. 
 
“Tickets to events will be flying out the door from now, so it’s important that everyone registers for the events they want to attend as soon as possible.”
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News

Feeling chipper after hat-trick of awards

By on

16th April 2019

- 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.
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News

Fast moving Kim gets back on bike to ride to Paris for charity

By on

15th April 2019

- News

An MNA production team member is preparing to cycle from London to Paris to raise money for an Alzheimer’s charity.
 
Pre press assistant Kim Fawcett, who works at the Wolverhampton head office, will pedal 300 miles between capital cities in July to collect funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
 
Kim said she agreed to take part because she “likes a challenge”.
 
She said: “All the funds I raise will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Society. Like many families, my family has been affected by Alzheimer’s so I would love to reach my target of £750.”
 
Kim will cycle around 80 miles per day over four days to reach her destination, with all those who complete the challenge getting to see the Tour de France pass through Paris.
 
She said: “I am training every weekend and during the week, which has been intense.
 
“This challenge will take over my life over the next few months.”
 
Kim will take part in the ride with her friend Jen Morris, who she cycles alongside as part of the Wolverhampton Wheelers group.
 
Click here to visit Kim’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kimfawcett
 
The London to Paris adventure is the latest in Kim’s series of fundraising exploits.
 
In 2013, she took part in the Aberdovey 100 mile bike ride and raised more than £300 for local charities only to have a serious accident 70 miles into the journey which resulted in her breaking her knee.
 
A year later she managed to get back on her bike to do the challenge again and finished what she had set out to do 12 months before.
 
In January 2015 Kim was undergoing treatment for a serious illness and decided to raise awareness for breast cancer. With the support of her family and friends she took part in the Race for Life held at Wolverhampton’s West Park to raise money for breast cancer.
 
September 2015 she rode tandem in the Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon Bike ride to collect funds for the same cause. In 2016 Kim took part in the Prudential Ride London 100 and raised over £1500 for Breast Cancer Care.
 
In 2016, Kim was named production person of the year at the MNA Real Awards.
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