Volunteers behind some of Stalybridge’s biggest community events have received special recognition from one of Greater Manchester’s most historic civic offices.
Stalybridge Town Team was presented with an award by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Llewellin DL, during the fifth annual Bridge Fest on Saturday, September 5.
The award recognised the volunteers for their “good and valuable services to the community”, providing an unexpected moment of recognition during an event which itself relies heavily on their work.
Mr Llewellin is the current High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and is also a Tameside resident.
The significance of the honour stretches back more than 1,000 years. The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest continuous secular civic office under the Crown and today there are 55 High Sheriffs serving counties and metropolitan areas across England and Wales
The position is an independent and non-political Royal appointment, with each High Sheriff serving for one year. It is also entirely voluntary and unpaid.
Although the role has changed considerably over the centuries, High Sheriffs continue to support the Crown and judiciary, as well as the police, courts, prisons, probation and emergency services.
An increasingly important part of the role is also recognising and supporting charities, voluntary organisations and individuals whose work strengthens their communities.
That made the presentation particularly significant for Stalybridge Town Team, whose members give their time voluntarily to organise and support activities aimed at bringing people into the town and supporting local businesses.
The award came during Bridge Fest, which returned for its fifth year with 41 acts performing across 14 venues, all free to attend.
The festival has grown year on year and is organised by Town Team volunteers, working alongside the town’s venues, performers, businesses and sponsors.
For the volunteers, the High Sheriff’s recognition provided a surprise acknowledgement of the work which often takes place behind the scenes long before events such as Bridge Fest get under way.
The citation accompanying the award recognised Stalybridge Town Team for its valuable contribution to the community – putting the volunteers among those the High Sheriff has chosen to recognise during his year in office.