ALMOST 300 people crammed into Winsford’S Lifestyle Centre on Friday for Town Mayor Clr Pam Booher’s Celebration of Winsford and ‘Oscar’ awards.

The glittering Hollywood-style event opened with a Broadway dance routine by ‘Atalia Dance’ students from the Winsford E-Act Academy.

Guests were then treated to the world premiere of a short film ‘Celebrating Winsford’ produced by Cheshire Media Academy students before compere Steve Carroll introduced the ‘Oscar’ awards.

Performances by Winsford singing stars Beth Lawren, Will Garner and Sophie Bond entertained the audience before prolific YouTube film maker Mark Curzon unveiled his latest creation, specially produced for ‘Oscar’ night.

Special awards were made to the Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit and the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in recognition of their services to the Winsford community.

The Mayor then introduced her special guest – her grandson Tom Stockdale – who wowed the audience with several songs, before the Mayor presented special awards to Steve Smith, for his work for the Winsford Festival, and to Cyril and Jean Craven, for their long and dedicated voluntary service.

The finale featured more rousing performances from Sophie Bond, Beth Lawren and Will Garner, before the evening ended with a bang – literally- with fireworks and a confetti shower.

Said a delighted Town Mayor “This was a unique evening, with everyone from the compere, the performers, film makers and of course all the ‘Oscar’ nominees being from this great town of ours.

“Winsford and its people often don’t get the praise they deserve and the evening was a wonderful way of celebrating their achievements.

“I am extremely grateful to all our sponsors, without whose support the evening would not have been possible”

A cash raffle and auction raised almost £500 for the Town Mayor’s charity, Winsford Youth Forum.

Winners The Countrywide Grounds Maintenance Business Enterprise Award Winner: WinComp. Runners-up: Christians Against Poverty; Onetek Business Systems.

The KC Autos Club of the Year Award Winner: Winsford Amateur Swimming Club. Runners-up: The Dingle Centre Volunteers Club; Integrated ‘Dance 4 All’.

The Weaver Vale Housing Trust Community Initiative of the Year Winner: Drew Burrows for ‘Run Winsford’. Runners-up: GGO West Winsford; ‘Talkabout’ Community Newsletter.

The Winsford 1-5 Business Environment Group Customer Service Award Winner: Ian Anstice, Winsford Library. Runners-up: Kath Clarke, Youth Worker; Tina Holt, ASDA.

The Weaver Vale Housing Trust Good Neighbour Award Winner: Julia Linforth. Runners-up: Chris Buck; Carol Lyon.

The Groundwork Cheshire Environmental Initiative Award Winner: Friends of Weaver Valley Parkway. Runners-up: Tommy Radcliffe, of Winsford Anglers; Over Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association The Booher Construction Sports Personality of the Year Award Winnder: Ashley Walker (BMX). Runners-up: Victoria Cunningham (Swimming); Matthew Newton (Karate) .

The Winsford and Rural East Partnership Board Volunteer of the Year Award Winner: Jill McQuaid (volunteer at WinCap). Runners-up: Alan Ravenscroft (SSAFA); Volunteers at the Dingle Centre.

The Don Beckett Senior Citizen of the Year Award Winner: Alan Ravenscroft. Runners-up: Helen Hanish; Charlie Murray.

The Red Lion Performer of the Year Award Winner (dance): Alex McCarrick. Winner (voice): Will garner. Runners-up: Sophie Bond; Beth Lawren.

The Vale Royal Clinical Commissioning Group Young Citizen of the Year Award Winner: Daniel Knight. Runners-up: Abbie Baron, Tuesday King.

To see more pictures from the evening taken by Chief Photographer Nick Jones, click on the Buy a Photo link on the home page and follow the links to Winsford and May 2012