CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS

An Annual Celebration Of The Arts In Cheltenham

On Wednesday 1st March, arts organisations from across Cheltenham came together once again for Cheltenham Arts Council’s Awards Ceremony. It was a wonderful evening, bringing members together to celebrate the excellence and achievement of this year’s winners.

We were again delighted to welcome Edward Gillespie, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, in his role as President of Cheltenham Arts Council, as well as the current Mayor of Cheltenham, Councillor Sandra Holliday. Before presenting the various awards and citations, our President opened the proceedings with a short speech in which he spoke warmly of the depth and breadth of arts activities made available to residents by member organisations of Cheltenham Arts Council, particularly mentioning his own enjoyment of lunchtime concerts given by young musicians and the story telling events the all-important details relating to the achievements of each award winner.

The Joyner Cup is a prestigious award given each year to the most outstanding of the award winners. This year, the honour went to Robert Sutton, Secretary of the Gloucestershire Branch of the Historical Association, for his invaluable work for the association. He was praised for his administrative and organizational

CHELTENHAMOPENSTUDIOS.ORG.UK at the now reopened and refurbished Holst Victorian House. In a short speech Councillor Holliday also spoke in praise of the work of the CAC. As chair of the CAC, Sue Silcock provided the audience with skills and for his work in establishing the programme of talks, which provides interest for members throughout the year.

The Elizabeth Webster Cup, awarded to a young person excelling in the arts, was this year shared by two outstanding recipients. Daisy Long, a member of Cheltenham Children’s Choir, was recognized for her huge contribution to the choir, not only through her attendance and commitment, but also for her knowledge, teamworking skills and compassion for others. Daisy was also praised for her inspirational enthusiasm for learning and musical development and her work as a Young Leader with the younger choral groups. Niamh McBride was recognised for her determination, focus and passion for the Drama Department at St Edward’s School. Her mature attitude and drive in directing productions at the school were described as inspirational. Niamh’s commendable ability to encourage powerful performances from her cast and to overcome any setbacks in the rehearsal process was also praised. Thanks to her contribution, great strides have been made in broadening the scope offered by the school’s Drama Department.

The Opera Group Cup was awarded to Anthony King, for his incredible dedication in supporting the Cheltenham Community Choir since its inception a little under 10 years ago, for his wonderful accompanying throughout rehearsals and for creating and leading a small orchestra of musicians during performances. His contribution was praised as integral to the life of the choir, playing a huge role in attracting new members to join and in ensuring their continuing loyalty to the choir.

The Charles Irving Sponsorship Award is awarded annually to a local business that has provided exceptional support through sponsorship of the arts in Cheltenham. This year, the award was given to Spirax Sarco and accepted by Alison Kerr from Cheltenham Choral Society on behalf of the company. Spirax Sarco has kindly offered its support to Cheltenham Choral Society as a Business Patron since 1989, making an outstanding commitment to the society through its contributions, which help to support regular performances in Cheltenham.

Five citations, in the form of framed certificates, were also awarded this year. The first of these was given to Rachel Tedd in recognition of her significant contribution to Cheltenham Arts Council over many years, including her work as a volunteer at The Holst Victorian House, as secretary to the Cheltenham Music Festival Society, and as honorary secretary to the Cheltenham Arts Council and editor of Perspectives.

The Visual Arts Cup was won by Kate Evelyn Smith, for her imaginative and inspiring graphic design work for the Cheltenham Bach Choir, producing posters, flyers, programme covers and other marketing tools. She was also commended for her wonderful illustrations in the Choral Cuisine Cookbook produced by the choir in 2020 raising funds for local charities.

A citation was also awarded to Jill Waller for her exceptional diligence in researching local history and responding to enquiries with outstanding attention to detail, leading to a wider understanding of Cheltenham’s history, coupled with the uncovering of previously unknown aspects of the town’s past. She was also commended for her work with Cheltenham Civic Society on planning matters relating to the proposed Lansdown

Industrial Estate development (2022), and for her research contribution to local history podcasts.

John Wright received a citation for his consummate professionalism and wide-ranging contribution to music in Cheltenham, both as Musical Director of Charlton Kings Choral Society for over 30 years, and for his work with the Holst Victorian House, bringing increased attention to the music of Gustav Holst.

Anthony White was awarded a citation for his dedication to Cheltenham Choral Society and his tireless work for the Society over a period of 59 years. This included his contribution in all areas of its administration from Concert Manager to Membership Secretary, his maintenance of the choir’s archive and his extensive knowledge of choral music.

Cheltenham Arts Council would like to thank the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie, and the Mayor, Councillor Sandra Holliday, for joining the celebration; the Playhouse Theatre, its manager Kieron Milsom, technical lead Gerry Gibbons, and its staff for hosting the Arts Awards Ceremony. Thanks are also due to Martin Fry of Cheltenham Camera Club for taking the photographs. Many thanks also go to CAC chair Sue Silcock and supportive CAC committee members for their hard work in organising the ceremony. Finally, many congratulations to all the award winners and thanks to everyone who attended the ceremony. It was a joyful occasion celebrating the very best of the arts in Cheltenham.