You are here Networking: Launch Of The South West Market Town Awards Scheme 2007
The South West Market Town Awards Scheme for 2007 has been officially launched and applications are now being invited. The Awards Scheme which is being administered and co-ordinated by the Market and Coastal Towns Association (MCTA), seeks to celebrate the excellent work being undertaken in the region's market towns by recognising sustainable and innovative projects.
James Hassett, Chief Executive of MCTA commented,
"The Association is really pleased to be co-ordinating the South West Market Town Awards Scheme. This is a great opportunity for the south west to showcase the excellent work taking place in our market towns and to formally recognise the dedication and hard work of our local communities. This is the second year that the Awards have been held in the region and if last year is anything to go by, I am confident that we will yet again discover some truly inspiring people and projects".
Applications should be made by a market town partnership or by a local authority. There are four categories open to applications and towns may enter different projects in different categories but can only make one entry in each category.
- Environment and Culture
- Social and Community
- Business and Economy
- Partnership and Strategic Working
The winners of the four categories will be published and disseminated as best practice case studies and receive a framed certificate. In addition one project from the four category winners will receive the additional accolade of the region's "Best Market Town Project" and go forward to represent the south west at the National Awards in September which will be hosted by Action for Market Towns.
Last year the title of Best Market Town Project was awarded to Wotton-under-Edges's Electric Picture House. Jeff Walshe, a key driving force behind the redevelopment of the local cinema commented,
"Winning the award gave us a much higher profile in the community and the Electric Picture House is now being held up as a good example of self help by local authorities. We can now add this award to our funding applications and it has had an effect already. Funders like success and they seem willing to help success grow. We would recommend the awards scheme to other projects, it has considerable value in promoting regeneration in market towns".
The deadline for the receipt of completed applications is Friday 1 June 2007. An application form and guidance note can be obtained from www.mcti.org.uk or by contacting Helen Lloyd at MCTA on 01823 250816.
Send this story to a friend
Printer friendly page