Shrewsbury’s mayor has presented awards to people who went the extra mile for their fellow citizens. Recipents included a victim of the devastating explosion who dragged others to safety.

About 130 guests packed into Shrewsbury Guildhall for the inaugural Mayor’s Awards evening, backed by Shrewsbury Town Council.

Some 40 nominees, in categories ranging from business to youth and environment to community, received their awards from Shrewsbury Mayor Alan Townsend on the night.

He said award winners of all ages were delighted to be recognised for their achievements.

And there were special awards for the likes of Scott Godbold, one of the Shrewsbury blast victims who pulled his friends from the ruins of their flat back in January.

Scott was nominated by Satvinder Kaur-Boulton for a community award, but the mayor and his wife, Judy, felt he should receive a special award for his heroism.

Courage

Councillor Townsend said: “Scott was the young man who showed extreme courage in the immediate aftermath of the explosion which shook Shrewsbury in January.

“Having removed burning debris from one of his flatmates, who had been thrown from the building, he re-entered it to rescue others, with no regard to his own danger, injuries and pain.”

Also recognised with a special award was environmental campaigner Val Oldaker who received a posthumous award following her death earlier this year.

Of her award Councillor Townsend said: “Val’s family were named the greenest family in Shropshire and I am sure she would have enjoyed others knowing that she was one of the first people locally to become a master composter and was crowned queen of the composters.

“The projects in which she was involved individually and as co-ordinator of Shrewsbury Friends of the Earth are too numerous to mention but we asked her husband Frank to accept the award on her behalf.”

Budding captains of industry were honoured too, with an award for young entrepreneur of the year going to Russ Hindmarch who produces and designs tailor-made shirts.

Councillor Townsend said the awards, handed out on Thursday, were dreamt up with town clerk Helen Ball.

He said he hopes the awards will become an annual event on the civic calendar.

He added: “The scheme is designed to recognise and celebrate some of the many positive achievements and activities in our business, cultural and voluntary sectors.”

By Tom Johannsen