Do you know a borough hero?
Residents can help to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who go above and beyond to make Newcastle-under-Lyme a great place to live, work and visit.
Nominations are now being accepted for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s fourth Borough Heroes Awards.
The popular scheme – a legacy of the borough’s 850th anniversary celebrations in 2023 – recognises remarkable people who make a positive impact in their local communities.
Submissions are welcomed, via the council’s website, for a wide range of contributions by dedicated volunteers, inspiring youngsters, community champions and good neighbours under business community hero, civic pride (individuals and organisations), lifetime achievement and young hero categories.
Shortlisted nominees will attend an awards ceremony at Keele in Town, situated in Newcastle’s Ironmarket on Thursday, 26 February. The closing date for nominations is Sunday, 15 February.
Council Leader Simon Tagg said:
The year-long commemoration of Newcastle’s first royal charter, granted in 1173, celebrated all that’s good about the borough – from our history through to the future. Our Borough Heroes Awards now gives us an annual opportunity to honour extraordinary residents who make a difference every day across Newcastle-under-Lyme by giving their time, energy and enthusiasm to support others, strengthen communities and improve lives.
Civic pride is at the heart of the awards because they reflect and further build pride in our fantastic borough. I would encourage everyone to take a moment to think about those who inspire them locally and nominate them for recognition. It’s about making sure that those quiet heroes – whose kindness, commitment and hard work often goes unnoticed – receive the acknowledgement they truly deserve.”
Among last year’s winners was Rosie Howells who received the Civic Pride award for dedicating more than 40 years to leading Girlguiding groups in the Westlands area. Rosie offers young members valuable opportunities to develop skills, form friendships and engage in community support. She also fundraises to ensure anyone can take part, regardless of financial barriers.
The Borough Heroes Awards 2026 are sponsored by Capital & Centric, Keele University, Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group, Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District and TMT First.