Love Evesham Award Winners 2024

What a night!  

Earlier this month on Saturday 2nd November, we held the second of our annual Love Evesham Awards ceremonies where we presented awards to the local business heroes and community champions that you voted for. It was a fabulous night with an amazing atmosphere, a fabulous host in our very own Katie Gilbert, and a disco to round off the evening.

The night was packed with memorable moments with many inspiring and heartwarming stories being shared on the night, truly making this a night to remember. It was an emotional time too with some of the recipient's stories that were shared leaving barely a dry eye in the house.

We know you are all dying to find out who are this year's award winners and the results are in! Read on to find out who were the deserving winners.

Love Evesham Community Award Winners

Young Achiever Award 

Winner: Kian Bowen

Kian is a regular young volunteer at the Axolotl & Reptile Rescue and Advice Charity. He's been giving up his time to volunteer at the charity on weekends and in the school holidays for around 18 months. 

The Evesham Noticeboard Award -

Winner: Alan Booth

Alan is the former Mayor of Evesham and has been involved in the promotion of many local charities and worthwhile causes including the Royal British Legion for many years.

Animal Welfare Champions 

Winner: Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue

The Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue Charity has been taking in dogs since 1989 to prevent them from being destroyed. It aims to rehabilitate and rehome dogs that have come into the rescue.

Best Community Event

Winner: Battle of Evesham Festival

The Battle of Evesham Festival is the biggest of the festivals held here in Evesham. It commemorates the pivotal Battle of Evesham which took place in 1265. The festival usually runs over the first weekend in August and attracts people from all over the UK and Europe. It's also one of Evesham's most popular community events with many businesses and organisations benefitting from the increased footfall from the event.

Green At Heart Award 

Winner: Anti-Litter Evesham

The Green at Heart Award this year went to the Anti-Litter Evesham Team. This group of volunteers have taken it upon themselves to help make Evesham a cleaner and better place to live. They are often to be found out and about picking litter all around the town and their efforts are truly appreciated.

Community Organisation of the Year

Winner: Evesham Defibrillators

The Evesham Defibrillator team are behind an initiative to ensure Evesham's residents have improved access to defibrillators should a medical emergency occur. With the nearest major hospitals 25-30 minutes away and no ambulance station in the town access to defibrillators is paramount. The team have been out raising money for the purchase and maintenance of 27+ defibrillators throughout residential areas of the town. These defibrillators are already saving lives making this a very worthwhile cause.

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Winner: Betty Phillips

Betty co-founded Broadway Youth Club in 1973 and since then she has been at nearly all of its Thursday night club sessions. In that time hundreds, if not thousands of youngsters will have attended the club to the point that some current members are the grandchildren of those that first attended all those years ago. The club has seen some difficult times over the years and through it all Betty has been there, even paying out of her own pocket to keep the club going. 

Evesham Volunteer of the Year 

Winner: Kirsty Louise Shoots

Kirsty works with PAL Fitness & Education CIC running a special needs holiday club that supports the whole family including siblings. Her involvement with PAL Fitness began when she got so fed up with the lack of support and facilities for SEN children in the area and she also runs a much-needed dedicated support group on Facebook for SEN families.

Most Positive Impact

Winner: Kyle Hotchkins

Kyle Hotchkins is the driving force behind Claus for a Cause (CFAC), he's also a champion for good in the community. Kyle regularly posts uplifting and inspiring posts in the Facebook group which are always well received. His regular posts about his own mental health challenges inspire others and offer hope to others, uplifting everyone's spirits.

Top Attraction 

Winner: The Valley Railway Adventure

The Valley Railway Adventure is a 15-inch gauge railway that operates in Evesham Country Park in Worcestershire, England. The narrow gauge railway offers delightful trips around the country park to the castle playground. It's a much-loved local attraction enjoyed by people of all ages and no trip to The Valley is complete without a ride on the train.

Health and Active Award 

Winner: Fitness with Khris Gutierrez

Khris is an online personal trainer and Zumba instructor who holds classes at various locations throughout Evesham and the Vale. Through his efforts, he has created a wonderful fitness community that treats its members with kindness, respect, and equality. Upon visiting his classes for the first time, there is no judgment and you will always feel welcome regardless of your fitness level. 

Love Evesham Business Award Winners

Evesham Best New Business 

Winner: Nicki Reg - Artist and Art Tutor

The Best New Business award goes to local artist and art tutor Nicki Reg. Nicki teaches individual and group art lessons for adults and children, in her studio and online. She also offers workshops and is a qualified Art Award Advisor in Discover, Explore, Bronze, and Silver for young people up to 25 years of age. The Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents: it's creative, valuable, and accessible. 

Evesham Entrepreneur of the Year 

Winner: Tom Tarver

The Entrepreneur Award this year goes to Managing Director Tom Tarver from Johnsons Property Consultants. Johnsons do so much for the community in Evesham with their what's on community noticeboard - where they promote local events. They also support the efforts of several local charitable organisations in the town.

Best Local Marketing 

Winner: Phil's Craft Butchery

The award for best local marketing goes to Phil's Craft Butchery with his fantastic sausage reels. His authentic posts about the challenges he was facing really galvanised the community and encouraged the local community to shop and support local businesses.

Best Family Run Business 

Winner: The Spudman

The Spudman won the award for best family-run business. The business is currently run by Tom Bowen, who took over the business from his father who originally started it back in 1989. In the last year, the business has moved from its previous residence in the Riverside Shopping Centre to its current location in a grade 2 listed building in the market square. It truly is a family-run business with Tom's Dad, stepmom, sister, and his wife all involved too. 

Evesham's Best Employer 

Winner: Rayna Clements

The award for best employer goes to Rayna Clements from Revolve Dance. Revolve Dance provides dance classes for children in freestyle disco, lyrical, street dance, and acrotrix. Rayna leads a fantastic team of dance teachers who are passionate about what they do. They also get a lot of support from the dance community of dancers and their families.

Best Female-Owned Business 

Winner: Vicki Baker (MUA and Mary Kay)

For the second time, Mary Kay consultant and make-up artist Vicki Baker has received the award for best female-owned business. Vicki is an inspiring woman who promotes female empowerment and positivity. She helps her customers with their self-confidence and self-worth and is an inspiration to many people in the town.

Most Loved Independent Salon or Retailer 

Winner: Worcester Beauty Clinic

Worcester Beauty Clinic is a local beauty salon offering the highest quality treatments and friendly service. The business consists of 4 women who are experts in their fields and offer amazing customer service to their clients in Evesham. They cater for all of your health and beauty requirements such as Anti-wrinkle treatments and Skin boosters, Derma and Lip filler treatments, a variety of Facials, Semi-permanent make up, Lash lifts and extensions, Waxing and treading, IPL hair removal, Gel nail extensions, Manicures and Pedicures and much much more, and it's true to say that with these lovely ladies nothing is too much trouble.

Most Loved Venue 

Winner: Raphael's Restaurant at Hampton Ferry

Raphael's Restaurant was voted Most Loved Venue. The venue is located on the picturesque banks of the River Avon at Hampton Ferry and is owned by the Raphael Family. The restaurant provides delicious meals with special menus and seasonal fayre available for celebrations such as Valentine's Day, Christmas, and Mother's day. Food is also sourced locally so customers can enjoy local food in this relaxed setting whilst they watch the river flow past.

Most Loved Business 

Winner: Silver Birch at BHGS

The award for most loved business went to Silver Birch @BHGS. This fantastic florists, is run by a small team with the artistic and creative flair to create the most amazing bespoke floral designs including their supersized bouquets and wreaths. The team are there to help whatever the occasion and also run fantastic workshops where customers can come along and try their hand at flower arranging or wreath making.

We'd also like to say a special thank you to Silver Birch at BHGS for the flowers and centerpieces, DJ RICHIE disco and staging, and to Food Genie for the delicious canapés.

Congratulations to our winners and well done to all our finalists - all of you make Evesham a better place to live and we would be lost without you!

Many thanks to our sponsors!  Without none of this would be possible!