WINSFORD artists Anne and Derek Johnson are the latest to have their name set in stone in Winsford’s own Hollywood Boulevard.


At a special ceremony on Friday, May 13, Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones, acting as town mayor but has since completed her mayoral year, unveiled a specially inscribed granite tablet set into the walkway outside the Winsford Lifestyle Centre.


Anne and Derek, both 60, from Winsford, received the ‘Walk of Contribution’ award at the Town Mayor’s ‘Oscars’ evening last month, when they won the ‘Community Initiative of the Year’ Oscar, before being announced as overall winners of the 2016 ‘Walk of Contribution’.


Anne said: “We feel that we are contributing to people having a better feel good factor about Winsford.


“It was a real shock and rather impressive actually, we feel very, very honoured. We are among some amazing people.


“It has been a privilege to work on the project we have worked on and we feel this is such a lovely thank you and a great recognition for the things we have been doing.”


Anne and Derek have been involved in arts development for a number of years following their careers as art teachers. They were involved in setting up the gallery at the Red Lion in Winsford and this then led to their involvement in last year’s Winsford Salt Fair where they offered the community opportunities to pursue arts projects.


All this culminated in them setting up the Rocksalt Art Gallery and Heritage Centre with Makerspace offering space for the community to pursue their interest in different arts and crafts. This is currently based in Winsford Shopping Centre.


Cllr Gaskill-Jones said: “Under the dedicated guidance of Anne, Derek and the volunteers, this community project has offered a much needed community heritage and arts space for Winsford and the community.


“They have brought something unique to Winsford, and their initiative has enriched many people's lives.”