Dorking Coronation, 8th May 12-4pm
Published On: April 18, 2023

Meet the volunteers, sustainability champions and bricks and mortar business owners shortlisted in the Community Spirit Awards

For Immediate Release

18 MARCH 2023: Join the Dorking Business Improvement District (BID) in celebrating the heart of the local community: its people. The BID Community Spirit Awards celebrates the independent spirit that helps to make Dorking a wonderful place to visit, live, work, and enjoy. Three esteemed judges: Mark Carter, Acting Executive Editor of BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey; Chris Howard, President of the Surrey Hills Society; and Jarmila Yu, Founder and MD of Yunique Marketing Ltd reviewed all of the nominations and selected the following individuals and businesses as finalists who have made a significant impact on the local community.

Judging was based on criteria aligned to the awards and is also provided below and on the BID website. Three winners will be announced on the 8th May at 2pm during The Big Help DorKing Coronation Celebration at the event and on social media. Three winners will receive a ‘Shop Local’ voucher to use on Dorking high street.

Here are the finalists:

Best High Street Business

These are the bricks and mortar businesses that have been shortlisted and are contributing to the success of Dorking High Street. These businesses are helping others, rejuvenating the high street, and supporting each other. They can be a new business, a start up, or a long-standing business. The winner will be announced on 8th May at 2pm at the DorKing Coronation Celebration, and will receive a £100 Shop Local gift voucher, courtesy of Hello Dorking (the Dorking Business Improvement District). 

  • Anni and Arthurs at the Yard / Jo Sherwood
  • Holmestores / Louise Holme
  • Mullins Coffee Shop / Basil Doha
  • SC Fuller / Andrew Fuller and Liz Fuller

Jo Sherwood of Anni and Arthurs at the Yard when she received news of the nomination and shortlisting said:

“Thank you so much! To say I’m a finalist, gobsmacked is an understatement but so thrilled. It means the world. 

It’s not quite been a year, yet I feel we’ve come on leaps and bounds with bringing sustainability to the forefront and making it a trendy option. My customers and clients are very much a part of what we do and together we are doing our bit to ultimately help the planet. We have so many more plans for the coming year ahead and can’t wait to do more to include this wonderful community. After all, it’s all about helping and supporting each other and I love what I do.”

Basil and Susan Doha of Mullins Coffee Shop said:

“We are delighted to be part of this close knit community and the icing on the cake, is to be nominated for such a prestigious award.”

SC Fuller said:

“All of us at S C Fuller are delighted to be nominated as one of the finalists for the Dorking Town Partnership Best High Street Business Awards. We are excited to be celebrating our 131st anniversary in the week of the King’s Coronation.”

Sustainability Champion

The sustainability champion can be any individual who is leading, or who is taking steps to lead change in their organisation, business or in society to transform our community into a more sustainable place. The winner will receive a special gift sponsored by the Born Free Foundation and a £100 Shop Local gift voucher, courtesy of Hello Dorking (the Dorking Business Improvement District). The judges shortlisted the following finalists:

  • Clare Davies
  • Lainey Hanson
  • Holmestores / Louise Holme
  • Kirsten Johnson
  • Alwen South
  • Pat Smith
  • Powell Corderoy Primary School Council
  • Amanda Wheatland

Volunteer of the Year

The BID is recognising those who go the extra mile for their local community. Together we are recognising those who do a bit extra; it is how we give back, contribute, and help others to make a successful contribution to society at large. The winner will receive a £100 Shop Local gift voucher, courtesy of Hello Dorking (the Dorking Business Improvement District). Here are the finalists: 

  • Kathy Atherton
  • Clare Davies
  • Simon Edmands
  • Jacqui Hamlin
  • Tony Knight
  • Di Sutherland

Simon Edmands, when receiving the news of his nomination, said:

“If ever a whole town could be nominated for an Honour for ‘services to the community’, you need look no further than Dorking… CBE!”

Di Sutherland, said:

“I’ve really loved being Brown Owl for these past 35 years.   It’s always great to see and hear what the young people go on to do when they are older. I’m always really touched when I hear one say ‘“you used to be my brownie leader – I loved being a brownie! “ 
It’s good to know what a positive impact we have had on their lives.”

These campaigns aim to recognise the community spirit in Dorking. Winners, highly commended and special mentions will be announced at the DorKing Coronation on 8th May, 2023. 

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Notes to Editors

Interviews and images are available on request. For more information, please contact Kathy Kyle at kathy@dorkingtownpartnership.co.uk or 07377 096 892.

View the BID’s Official DorKing Coronation Programme.

About the Dorking Town Centre Partnership

The Business Improvement District (BID) for Dorking is committed to raising the profile of Dorking and bringing economic prosperity to the town. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram at @HelloDorking. Tag us to be featured at #HelloDorking.

Learn more about the Dorking BID at https://linktr.ee/hellodorking 

Social Media: @hellodorking

Dorking Coronation, 8th May 12-4pm

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