An Aberdeenshire town has taken a step closer to revealing who is going to sweep the boards in a new awards scheme.
The inaugural Pride of Inverurie awards, aimed at boosting civic pride, have been overwhelmed with public response and support.
Finalists for the eight categories have now been short-listed with the winners being announced at the Town Hall event on Friday, August 25.
The Pride of Inverurie awards are for best businessman (Willie Lippe, Steve Innes, John Davidson), best businesswoman (Judy Whyte, Kara Dey, Kay Potts), sports personality (Tammy Wilson, Tom Roche, Orla Adams), unsung hero (Laird Parker, Jennifer Rees-Jenkins, Scott Adams), young achiever (Finlay Counsins, Mikey Dempster and Mitchell Wright, Evan Duthie), community champion (Graham Watson, Ruby Mackay, Elinor Strachan), tourism hot spot (Barra Berries, Castle Fraser, Inverurie Golf Club) and lifetime achievement (Thomas J. Tait, Eddie Innes, Graeme Hay) accolades.
Among the nominees are inspirational people involved in everything from football to Scouting and ice cream to golf.
The Press and Journal is delighted to sponsor the young achiever category.
All the other awards have been sponsored by businesses in the local area. The three finalists for each category will have a minute-long video shown at the black-tie gala night before the winner of each is announced.
Tickets for the awards are available from Strachan’s on West High Street, and are priced at £40 per person including a 3-course dinner and welcome drink.
The awards were launched in March this year to recognise the very best of the town and surrounding area, celebrating the best traders, community champions, tourist spots and local heroes.
In June, the ‘We are INverurie’ BID (Business Improvement District) Project was given the green light by the town’s businesses after an 87.2% of the eligible business owners voted for it.
The BID Company was charged with delivering the £500,000 BID Business Plan between now and 2022.