IN PICTURES - Evesham community and business heroes celebrated at awards ceremony

MAGIC, sparkle and bags of community pride were the key ingredients at last Saturday’s Love Evesham awards when unsung heroes were celebrated for their impact on the community.

The evening at the Vale Golf Club saw more than 120 people walk the red carpet in anticipation of winning a gong across 20 diverse categories that showcased the best in the town’s voluntary organisations and businesses.

Now in its third year, the awards organised by Evesham Noticeboard had garnered 10,000 votes by the public who had nominated everything from their favourite event to the best new business.

Over the last three months, over 10,000 public votes have been cast across 20 diverse categories, showcasing the passion of local businesses and community heroes.

Love Evesham awards organiser and host, Katie Gilbert. Pictures by K8 Content

“Hosting the Love Evesham Awards was a huge honour and a deeply emotional experience. As a resident, I know, like any town, Evesham has its challenges, but this event shines a spotlight on the genuine heart of our community.

“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, bringing together independent business owners and local heroes to appreciate them for their tireless efforts.

“The atmosphere at The Vale Golf & Country Club was electric. A room absolutely filled with love, pride, and recognition for everything the public voted for.

“It reminds everyone that Evesham is defined by its incredible people, and we are already grateful for what next year will bring,” said organiser Katie Gilbert.

Attendees were entertained by Stratford magician Angus Baskerville who also gave a moving speech about his journey battling bullying, autism and ADHD to discovering magic being accepted into The Magic Circle.

Guest of honour the Mayor of Evesham, John Clatworthy, added: “It was a wonderful occasion that provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate all the hard work and effort that our voluntary organisations and businesses put into making Evesham a great place to live.”

“The event was superbly organised by Katie Gilbert, an inspiring entrepreneur in her own right and who works tirelessly to support the town throughout the year with the Evesham Noticeboard.

“My congratulations to Katie for your dedication and, of course, to all of the winners.”

An emotional Libby Williams goes to receive her award.

John said he was particularly moved and delighted to see the Volunteer of the Year award go to Libby Williams, who has helped out Wallace House Community Centre for a long time, and added: “She is always on hand to help in any way she can.”

Other winners included the Battle of Evesham for Best Community Event.

Director Mick Hurst said: “It was fantastic that the residents of Evesham went out of their way to vote for The Battle of Evesham Festival – for the third year in a row, they voted us as the Best Community Event of the Year.

“It is because of the ‘community’ of volunteers we have around us that makes the Battle of Evesham suite of events work so well.

“We must thank them for their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to working with them all and keeping this momentum going well into the future.”

On the business side, Tom Doggett of the Red Lion Pub in Market Square was pleased to receive the Community Champion Award.

“We’re hugely proud to have the work we do at the pub with our loyal staff, customers, musicians, suppliers, local charities, and other organisations across Evesham and beyond recognised like this.

“Evesham has a very strong community of independent businesses, loyal customers, and tireless volunteers, so it’s wonderful to see them celebrated, and a privilege to be part of the many positive changes which are happening in the town at the moment,” he told the Observer.

Klaudia Zajaczkowska, of Nostalgia Cafe, said she felt ‘incredibly proud’ to receive the Best New Business Award for a venture she had started earlier this year with her mum.

She said: “Before we opened, some people said it would be ‘just another coffee shop,’ but I think we’ve shown it can be something much more. Nostalgia has a piece of my heart in it, and seeing people embrace what we’ve created means the world to me.”

Meanwhile, Vicky Faller, project development manager at All Things Wild and colleagues were ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be recognised as Best Family Day Out.

“This award means a great deal to our whole team, who work incredibly hard to create memorable experiences for families while caring for the amazing animals at All Things Wild.

“We’re proud to be part of such a supportive local community, and we remain committed to both providing great days out and continuing our important conservation work,” she said.

The Vale Golf and Country Club.

Continuing on the animal theme, Animal Welfare Champions was awarded to the Vale Wildlife Hospital.

Speaking on behalf of the centre, Natalie Gould said: “We are thrilled to be voted as the Animal Welfare Champions in the Love Evesham Awards 2025, made even more special as it’s voted for by the public. To be recognised for the work we do to help wildlife is so heartwarming.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for Vale Wildlife Hospital and to everyone involved in what was a fantastic awards evening on Saturday.”

George Lack, president of Rotary in the Vale, was taken by ‘complete surprise’ to be given the Howden Most Positive Impact Award for his work with Rotary in the Vale.

He said: “We attended the event to support Katie for the time she gives to the town. It was an unexpected honour to receive this award on behalf of Rotary in the Vale for what we do in the community.

“It was wonderful to see all the finalists that night, many of whom we have met over the past year, little thinking we would be honoured in this way.”

Another person who got a shock on the night was our very own Lise Evans, who was the recipient of a Community Journalist Award, sponsored by Evesham Noticeboard, for her reporting on the Evesham Observer.

She said: “I thought I’d been invited to the awards as a member of the press and was totally dumbfounded when I heard my name being read out by Katie.

“I can honestly say it has been a privilege and pleasure to have Evesham as my news patch.

“I have met so many wonderful people in the community who have warmly welcomed me to the town over the last 12 months.

“It is deeply heartening to have my work recognised in this way.”