Norton Town Council gives awards to community heroes

Norton Town Council has thanked those residents aiming to improved where they live in their second annual awards.

The town council launched the scheme in late 2024 to recognise people and organisations who are based and work in Norton.

Mayor, Councillor Di Keal, said: “The town council wanted to recognise people in our town who support others and who ‘go the extra mile’ in their roles as charities or individuals.

“Norton is a unique place with many people contributing to our community on a daily basis who go unrecognised for the hard work they put in for others – the town council wants to acknowledge what they do and thank them.”

Two awards were presented at a ceremony at the Council Chamber, with winners receiving a unique plaque in recognition of their work.

Volunteers of the Year went to the Malton and Norton Tidy Group and was accepted on behalf of the group by stalwart supporter, Nick Fletcher, who said he was “absolutely delighted” to represent the group and was very pleased that the council had recognised their work keeping Norton looking clean and tidy.

Paying tribute to the group, which was founded in 2009, Cllr Keal said: “This award goes to a group that definitely makes a significant difference to Norton (& Malton) throughout the year – come rain or shine and sometimes in freezing cold, they are out and about with bin bags and litter pickers collecting discarded rubbish and debris and making the town look neat and tidy.

“They have recently broken their own records with an amazing – if quite appalling for the fact that it is discarding in the first place – 643 bags of litter in Malton and Norton in 2025!

“Not content with litter picking in the town centres the group also cover the roads approaching the towns meaning anyone driving into Norton (& Malton) isn’t greeted by rubbish strewn grass verges.

“Norton town council wants to recognise the amazing work this volunteers group does and thank them whole heartedly for all their efforts.”

The Awards also recognise a business or organisation that creates a shop window that contributes to making Norton look festive over the Christmas period by decorating their window. The 2025 winning window was created by Kayshia Skeet, who works at Derwent Lodge on Church Street, who put together a window based on the book and film Polar Express.

Cllr Keal said: “The town council refreshed our Christmas lights display again in 2025 and we are keen to encourage local businesses and organisations to join us each year and make the town look special for the festive season.

“We loved this display for its simplicity in telling a story – and the fact that it appeared to be made from recycled materials, with the Polar Express train created from discarded boxes.”

Cllr Keal thanked the winners and those who nominated them for the huge contribution they make to Norton through their volunteering and the organisations they work with: “As a community we should all be very grateful to you and I hope these awards will go some small way towards recognising your hard work and dedication to your organisations and the wider community of Norton”.

The Norton on Derwent Community Awards look set to become an annual event and the town council looks forward to even more nominations in 2026.

Pics shows: Cllr Di Keal presenting the Community Awards to 1) Kayshia Skeet with colleagues from Derwent Lodge & 2) Nick Fletcher from Malton and Norton Tidy Group