Your Local Independent 189

Page 12 Christmas 2024 AD SALES 01204 478812 THE head of a Bolton charity dedicated to turning lives around for people with experi- ence of homelessness has received an award for his long service. Tony Stephenson, chief executive at Emmaus Bolton, received the Founder’s Medal at the Emmaus National Assembly, which was attended by more than 200 people from different Emmaus communities and groups from across the UK. Tony has been at the helm of Emmaus Bolton for more than13 years, spearheading initia- tives that have not only improved vital housing and support but have also established the charity as a centre for social enterprise and commu- nity engagement. Under Tony’s leader- ship, Emmaus Bolton has launched several innova- tive projects, including a recycling centre, which helps stock the shelves of a scrap store of recy- cled fabric and arts and crafts. This year it opened the NorthWest’s first charity ice-cream parlour inside its café, all situated off Fletcher Street in Bolton. Furniture-making in its on-site work- shops has exploded in popularity, particu- larly among schools in Greater Manchester who were recommended to Emmaus Bolton by the Bridgewater RHS, who commissioned several projects from the char- ity team. Tony was instrumental in successful fundraising bids that transformed the roof to the charity’s main shop and home from homelessness, and in helping families during the pandemic, by waiving the small fee for its social supermarket, which con- tinues to be free of charge to this today. Tony said: “I’m deeply humbled to receive this award. It’s a reflection of the incredible team at Emmaus Bolton and the inspiring resilience of the companions we sup- port every day. Together, we’ve created a commu- nity that truly makes a difference.” Award: Tony Stephenson and chief executive of Emmaus UK, Charlotte Talbott Charity leader Tony’s long-service reward Another win for award-hungry food festival BOLTON Food and Drink Festival has taken another top award after over- coming all Storm Lilian threw at it to deliver an unforget- table weekend. Beating off some tough competition, the festival won the “Lead- ing Live Event” category at the 2024 This Is Man- chester Awards. The judges were impressed with the festival’s track record and longevity, stating it has been “bringing the community together for two decades.” In addition to winning the ‘Most Loved Event’ at the I Love Manches- ter Awards in 2023, this is the second time the festival has won the prestigious award. This year’s recogni- tion was hard earned after Storm Lilian caused chaos and seri- ous damage in the town centre just hours before the festival was due to open. The opening was postponed, but the team declared that “the show must go on” as council staff, partners, spon- sors and the commu- nity worked tirelessly to ensure that the site was ready to open on Saturday morning. With three days remaining to soak up the party atmosphere, people attended in their thousands with traders reporting record sales. It was all smiles for the rest of the bank hol- iday weekend as people enjoyed the variety of activities, from celeb- rity chef demos, music stages, children’s events or the 200 market stalls selling the best local produce. Saturday’s headline celebrity chef, Ainsley Harriot was impressed with the strength and resilience shown by everyone, saying: “One of the reasons I come to Bolton again, and again and again is because of the people.” Nadeem Ayub, Bolton council’s executive cabi- net member for culture, said: “The Bolton Food and Drink Festival is our biggest event of the year, and we were never going to let the bad weather dampen our spirits. “We have a strong community that will always pull together in the face of adversity Clean up: The damage caused by Storm Lilian (Photo credit: Bolton Council) Award: The festival team receive their live event trophy Top team: Top show: Bad weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of Ainsley Harriott and other members of the festival line-up to make the impossi- ble, possible. Everyone works tirelessly on this event to make each year better than the last and this award is thoroughly deserved, proving that hard work and dedication pays off.” Organisers say that the festival will return once again in 2025.