VOTING for this year’s Proud of Barnsley has now closed and there’s only a week to wait until we announce the winners.
It’s been a brilliant year for the Chronicle’s annual awards, as we received a record number of nominations and for the first time yet opened up the vote to the public which has proved a resounding success.
Around 12,000 votes have been sent in for our selection of 50 nominees, the results of which will be taken to a panel of judges later today to pick who will take home the trophies this year.
While we appreciate everyone who’s sent in a vote for their top choice, the last thing we want to see is this become an online popularity contest, and so voting results will be combined with judges’ scores to decide the final winners.
Next week’s event at the Metrodome promises to be a fantastic showcase of local talent, as we welcome the world-renowned Barnsley Youth Choir fresh off a tour of South Africa to entertain before winners are announced.
This year will also see the return of the Sir Michael Parkinson Special Recognition Award, which was introduced last year to honour the Cudworth-born TV legend who died last August.
Beloved artist Ashley Jackson who once presented an original watercolour to former US President Bill Clinton received the first of these awards and it’s safe to say that this year’s unsuspecting recipient is just as worthy.
We want to thank everyone who’s helped make this show possible and it’s as inspiring as ever to see all the great work done by people across Barnsley.
RADIO stars and lifelong friends Stephanie Hirst and Steve White have never lost sight of their Barnsley heritage and will excitedly return to host the Proud of Barnsley awards once again this year.
Having built an award-winning career in radio with the beloved Hirsty’s Daily Dose show, Steph has continued to work as a high-profile DJ and presenter throughout the years.
Though a highlight of her year has always been the Proud of Barnsley awards, where she has remained as a steadfast presenter since the second-ever show over a decade back.
Her Barnsley heritage has remained something she’s proud of and happily spoken about wherever her career has taken her.
It’s this reason the awards remain so special to her, as she helps highlight what makes this area and community so special to so many.
She said: “I absolutely love presenting Proud of Barnsley.
“I’ve always been very proud to tell people that I come from Barnsley and when you hear all the stories of all the finalists, it does serve as a reminder of what a remarkable town Barnsley really is with some truly wonderful, selfless people.”
She will be joined on stage by fellow Barnsley-born star and radio presenter Steve White.
The two lifelong friends have been hosting the show together for four years now, becoming an unstoppable duo.
Steve added: “Proud of Barnsley is certainly a special night.
“It’s an honour to be on stage, helping tell the stories of all the finalists.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing what our finalists have been doing to earn their places on the shortlist.”
