Harborough district village comes together to celebrate talented community in debut event

Billesdon band Bluesdon performs at the inaugural ceremony.

The community in Billesdon came together to showcase their talent at an inaugural awards event.

Local musicians and performers entertained the crowds at the debut Billesdon Area Community Awards, organised by the The Coplow Centre Committee.

Over 100 people gathered to celebrate all things Billesdon. The event saw nine awards handed out to community members.

The awards and winners included:

Volunteer of the Year – Paul Milburn

The Sports Award – Billesdon Cricket Club

Young Person of the Year – Skyler Hoare

Performer of the Year – Michael Ward

Good Neighbour of the Year – The Billesdon Good Neighbour Scheme

Friend of The Coplow Centre – Stephen Bishop

Educator of the Year – Lynn Milburn

The Charitable Cause Award – Donna Norman and Nicky Clare.

The latter two winners raised a significant amount of money to help pay for the urgent family house adaptions needed, after a local mother with a baby was struck down with a stroke.

And those who provided the entertainment included flautist Jo Preston, singer songwriter Emma Mae, local bands Bluesdon and Covered Up, the Billesdon Church choir and the Billesdon Drama Society which reproduced a scene from its most recent production.

Coplow Centre chair and co-organiser Peter Francis said following positive feedback, the committee decided the awards would be a biannual event and the village was looking forward to its return in 2026.

He added: “When you look for creativity, talent and cooperation across the age groups, even in a small village, you find it.”