THE Craven Herald has teamed up with Craven District Council to launch the sixth annual Craven Community Champion Awards – celebrating the district’s unsung heroes and honouring their achievements.

The awards are split into seven categories, to celebrate those who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of Craven.

And this week we are asking for nominations for the Community Group Award, which was won last year by Clapham Community Shop, a venture which has become the ‘heart of the village.’

If you know a community group which enriches lives, why not nominate it for this year’s Community Group Award?

The judging panel is looking for groups that attract and encourage new members to get involved in helping others within the community; makes itself welcoming and accessible to everyone in the community; and makes a positive difference to, and improves the well-being of, their community.

If you know a group that fits the bill, please complete a nomination form before October 29, 2017.

Last year judges were impressed by Clapham Community Shop because it had quickly won a place for itself at the centre of village life after starting up in March 2015. The shop was a response to the closure of the privately owned village store, which had left a large gap in the community.

A voluntary management committee was set up, the shop re-opened and it has been trading successfully since then, with three paid staff and over 30 volunteers carrying out a variety of roles.

The Community Group Award is sponsored by Keelham Farm Shop, a Yorkshire business for over 40 years that opened its second shop in Skipton in 2015.

Victoria Robertshaw, Keelham co-owner of, said: “We love to support these awards which celebrate those who go above and beyond for their community.

“At last year’s event we met a host of fantastic local organisations including Scoff – a brilliant community café based at the Greatwood and Horse Close Community Centre – and have since visited them to see first-hand the positive impact they’ve hand on the local community. We also recruited a new team member, Ray, who we were introduced to at last year’s awards and who is now a valued and popular member of the Keelham team.

“We’re delighted to support this award once again and shine a spotlight on the work of some of the passionate individuals who really do make a difference.”

Nomination forms are available on the Craven District Council website www.cravendc.gov.uk/communitychampions or pick one up from any local participating shop or service, library or doctor's surgery.

The winners will be announced on January 11, 2018, at the awards ceremony, to be hosted by the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate at Coniston Cold, near Skipton.

Everyone who has been shortlisted to receive an award will be invited to attend the ceremony.