(Image: Supplied)
A County Durham town has celebrated the achievements of its residents, community groups and volunteers at an annual awards evening recognising everything from gardening success to decades of public service.
Around 75 people attended the 2026 Ferryhill Presentation Evening at The Masonic Hall on Thursday, September 24.
Awards covered Ferryhill in Bloom, civic honours and the annual art, photography and poetry exhibition.
Ferryhill Mayor Cllr Curtis Bihari presented Michael Moody with a special award for 29 years of community policing in Ferryhill.
Mayor Cllor Curtis Bihari pictured with officers collecting the Mick Moody Award (Image: Supplied)
Mr Moody could not attend, so colleagues Craig McGuire and Peter Newman accepted the award for him.
The event raffle raised £103 for the mayor’s charity, Bright Futures Ferryhill CIC.
Ferryhill Town Council thanked Windlestone Nurseries for sponsoring Ferryhill in Bloom and providing winners’ gift vouchers, and The Masonic Hall team for hosting the event and preparing the buffet.
Residents won prizes across a range of community competitions.
Olwen Fennessy won Best Artwork for "Saltholme", Mia Tomkinson took Best Children’s Artwork for "Fun Day Out at the Beach", John Craig Humble won Best Photograph for "Turn it to the Left" and Jane Pennick took Best Poetry for "The Storm".
Jeff Talbott won the Ferryhill in Bloom Front Garden category, followed by Gordon Harris and Joanna Baxter in second and third place.
Vivien Auton won the Back Garden category, followed by Susan Osment and Gordon Harris.
Joanna Orlowska won the Back Yard category, with Danuta Rykowska as runner-up.
The Garth won the Commercial Premises category.
George Chaytor won Best Allotment Plot at East End Allotments and Best Overall Allotment Plot across all sites.
East End Allotments also won Best Overall Allotment Site.
Civic awards went to Stephen Marshall and Jennifer Scriver for community service; Jean Flook for her work on the Ferryhill Remembers Poppy Net; Daniel Dunnett for grassroots football; Richard O’Neill for his work with Mainsforth Amateur Boxing & Fitness Club; Andy Denholm for charitable fundraising and support for Ferryhill’s war heroes; and Joanna Baxter for 50 years of library service in Ferryhill.
Retiring councillor Angus Ferguson was made an Honorary Burgess after 18 years of service, including two terms as mayor.