Dedicated volunteers, community champions and local organisations were honoured for their outstanding contributions to Blyth during the town’s Annual Town Meeting at the Market Pavilion.
The event, attended by 78 residents, featured the presentation of Civic Awards by the Mayor of Blyth, Councillor Mark Peart, recognising individuals and groups whose commitment and efforts have made a lasting difference to the local community.
During the ceremony, Councillor Peart praised the award recipients for their selflessness, commitment and civic pride.
The first Blyth Good Citizen Award was presented to Bobby Neal, nominated by Councillor David Swinhoe. Bobby has become a familiar and much-loved figure in the town centre through his tireless work helping to keep Blyth clean in all weathers. He was also recognised for his bravery during an incident in October 2025.
Paul Newton, nominated by Councillor Denise Nicholson, received a Blyth Good Citizen Award for spending the last six years voluntarily improving neglected and run-down areas across Blyth, often funding materials himself to help transform community spaces.
Claire Young, nominated by Councillor David Johnson, was honoured for her longstanding involvement with numerous local organisations including Friends of Ridley Park, Blyth Community Volunteers and Blyth Shanty Singers, as well as her valued support for Blyth in Bloom.
Another Blyth Good Citizen Award was presented to Roy Marsh, nominated by Councillor Daniel Carr, in recognition of his dedicated litter-picking efforts across the town. Roy was praised for voluntarily collecting, sorting and recycling rubbish daily to help improve the local environment.
The evening’s highest honour was then awarded posthumously in memory of Warrant Officer Class 2, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Rob Aldcroft.
Nominated by Councillor David Swinhoe, the award recognised Rob’s extraordinary 43 years of service with the Army Cadet Force, mentoring generations of young people across Blyth, Cowpen and Cramlington. Rob also served as Northumbria ACF Sports Officer and received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including the National Excellence in Sports Award and the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Service. Rob’s children, Dan and Eve, accepted the award on behalf of their late father to warm applause from those attending.
The Mayor also thanked Mayoral Cadet Flight Sergeant Miller-Hall for assisting during the awards presentations.
Following the ceremony, residents were invited to raise questions and discuss local issues. Topics included the proposed Northumberland County Council Active Travel Corridor on King Street, a vision for relocating Blyth Town Council offices into the town centre; creating a civic hub, planning enforcement concerns and ideas for bringing greater vibrancy back to Blyth Market.
Councillor Peart confirmed that representations would be made to Northumberland County Council where appropriate and said a public consultation regarding the proposed office relocation would be shared in due course.
The meeting also celebrated the work of a number of organisations and community groups contributing positively to life in Blyth, including Boxing Well, Blyth Rugby and Cricket Club, Silx Teen Bar, BRIC: Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre, Comrades In Chairs, Royal British Legion Blyth, Blyth Battery Volunteers, Fresh Creative Aspirations Youth Project, Belford Bright Sparks, Northumberland County Council Pride in Place Programme, Escape Family Support, Marine Medical Group Social Prescribers, Railway Medical Health and Well-being Social Prescribers, Blossoming Communities and Blyth Town Council Community Engagement.
