Community Awards hit by Covid - but ceremony will return in September

The 2020 Bury Free Press Community Awards have been cancelled, owing to the ongoing pandemic.

Editor Barry Peters confirmed this week that the safety of the public, councillors and newspaper staff was paramount and so had to pull the plug on the 2020 celebration of good deeds and community spirit.

“It’s with a heavy heart that the 2020 awards have had to be cancelled but, even with the vaccine rollout speeding up, the March date looks unviable on safety grounds alone.

“The good news is that the Bury Free Press and Bury St Edmunds Town Council are committed to bringing out the awards in 2021.

“The inaugural awards 18 months ago were a real celebration of everything that’s good about Bury St Edmunds - service to others, neighbours helping neighbours and sheer hard work on behalf of others.

“For those reasons, I’m delighted the town council has agreed to partner with the Bury Free Press once again in 2021 to celebrate all the good things which go on in our town.

“Preparations are already in hand for this year’s ceremony to take place at The Guildhall in September.

“A launch for the awards will take place in May, and will feature in both the Bury Free Press and online via www.suffolknews.co.uk,” added Mr Peters.

The inaugural awards in 2019 saw eight awards voted on for the public, with councillors and the Bury Free Press picking the eventual winners.

Former photographer and ex-town councillor Tom Murray lifted the award for lifetime achievement while Ernie Broom was named Citizen of the Year.

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