Six Coventry stars honoured with city award

Six stars and community champions in Coventry have been honoured with an award for their contributions to the city.

Pauline Black OBE, lead singer of the 2-tone band The Selecter, is among those who will receive The Coventry Award of Merit after unanimous backing by councillors.

The award was launched by the council more than 50 years ago and has so far only been given to 46 people and groups.

Professor Stuart Croft, Sybil Hanson, Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Mark Robins and Jon Sharp will also be celebrated for their passion and actions that inspire Coventry residents.

Ms Black, who is also an actress, author and radio presenter, was a "pioneer" for black performers, and in particular black women in music, and combines her career with supporting community projects and events.

Her citation states: "She promotes her Coventry connection with pride and has brought huge recognition and credit to our city across the world, and made a massively positive impact on multiculturalism in the UK."

She commented: "I have always tried to place Coventry and its wonderful community of people at the centre of my life and It is an absolute honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award."

Others receiving the award are from the worlds of sport, education and the local authority.

They include former Coventry City FC manager Mark Robins who is credited with restoring the club's pride when it was at an "all-time low" and bringing it back into the community.

University of Warwick vice chancellor and president Stuart Croft will be recognised for bringing "inclusive economic growth" to the city and transforming Warwick Arts Centre.

Deputy Leader of the Council and labour councillor Abdul Salam Khan will be honoured after 15 years in the council's cabinet. Leading figure in education Sybil Hanson will be recognised with the award after spending years as a teacher and deputy head, followed by positions on education boards after her retirement.

Coventry Rugby Club chairman Jon Sharp will be honoured for taking the club to its "best place for a generation" after it faced bankruptcy, and for its wide range of community initiatives.

The six will officially receive their awards at a ceremony later this year.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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