Marlow’s Hidden Gems of 2024 have been revealed. The winners of the Marlow FM awards were announced at an awards ceremony and party held at Harleyford Golf Club on Saturday 16th November.
There were over 600 nominations and over 2600 votes – there is a lot of love on Marlow for everyone who was nominated and then shortlisted. And whatever the results everyone was a winner!
Best Cuppa was won by the M Cafe
This was a hotly fought category. The nominations for the winner said:
A proper hidden gem! They are consistently outstanding in every aspect, fantastic coffee, the kindest, friendliest staff and the most reasonable yet absolutely delicious food. It’s incredible and the cafe is such a hub for the community
Best Pub was won by The Duke (Queen’s Road) for a second year
A huge number of nominations in this category but the Duke was a clear winner. People said: Exceptionally well kept beer, excellent staff and superb atmosphere. Steve’s constant efforts to provide drinks, brilliant cocktails, support the local community, encourage young bands and music, raise money for charity and run a business with very lovely Chinese food as a bonus was recognised in many nominations! The Duke never fail to make anyone that visits feel like they are part of the Duke Family. Big shout out to Steve and their team for creating an inclusive, fun and welcoming pub, full to the brim of community spirit. I really wish there were more pubs like this gem!
Best Breakfast
The award is sponsored by LeStrange Services and won by Fego for a second year
The nominations said: – definitely best breakfast menu, fabulous ingredients fresh produce, Very tasty . Staff friendly and super efficient
Best Event won by Santa’s Fun Run
Another very close category with only 23 votes separating the winner and the second place – the Regatta.
The nominations commented on how well organised the Santas Fun Run is, with a great community spirit
Best Night Out won by Rebellion Members Nights
This vote went right to the wire but the guided tastings, great food, traditional ales and unique small-batch creations won the day!
Best Sports Club won by Marlow United Juniors
This was a typical comment in the many many nominations for this popular club: My son recently joined the U8s on the back of some amazing references. I was blown away by the number of volunteer coaches and the standard of organisation with the interest of our children at the centre of it all. An incredible club at amateur status
Best Therapist won by Mike Banks.
Best Teacher won by Mrs Jennifer Boyle, St Peters
One of the nominations for Jen said: She is amazing, not only with her job but everything else she does for the school, the church and the community. She gives so much of her time tidying, gardening and supporting the PTA and school
Best Local Producer won by Rebellion
Rebellion have won this category every year since we introduced it. The nominations all said the same things very simply; the best beer and the best customer service!
The awards for Services to Charity and Service to the Community are nominated by the good people of Marlow but the decision is made by a committee: Pat Reading form Marlow FM , Hilary Martin from the Town Council, Paul Merchant from My Marlow and Peter Evans, President of the Chamber of Trade.
We were all in total agreement of the very worthy winners and decided to award two in each category.
Services to Charity is sponsored by Chives and the first winner was Sharon Gunn for the Marlow Donkey weekly quizzes.
What was said about Sharon:
Sharon Gunn is one in a million. She hosts a really fun and informative quiz night on Thursdays at the Marlow Donkey raising funds for charities. Sharon is an absolute star for organising and fundraising for it, as well as raising awareness. She’s one of those humans who we all wish we could be on a good day and she is it everyday!
The second Services to Charity award went to the Harmony Belles
What was said about the Harmony Belles:
A local choir. raising amazing amounts of money for several charities whilst entertaining us They put on a minimum of 2 concerts per year where the focus is on raising money for charity. The charities chosen are ones close to the hearts of the choir members. Over the last 18 months, Harmony Belles have raised over £7,600 at their concerts for local charities including. including Marlow Age Concern, Marlow FM and Helen and Douglas House. They also perform at the Marlow Carnival, Carols on the Causeway and the Rotary Club of Marlow Autumn Concert
Services to the Community was sponsored by Pink Affinity Ltd
Our first award went ts to CLAIRE STREET, CHILD MATTERS
What was said about Claire
Every year Claire Street from Child Matters gives her time for free to teach life saving techniques in a very calm and straightforward way. This is such a valuable resource for the community, and something that everyone should know about.
She’s also funded (together with local residents) a defibrillator on the side of her own home for Marlow residents to use and she teaches first aid to children at Great Marlow School, Burford, Sandygate and more.
She is a local small business, mum of three who is so dedicated to providing an educational and fun first aid training service to the local schools, nurseries and childminders as well as families and children. She also volunteered during Covid to vaccinate the local community. Marlow is a better place with Claire in it.
Our second award was to THE ARK CAFE
“The Ark Cafe as a community cafe where everyone can go to a friendly, safe cafe with reasonable prices. Lovely staff who are very helpful. Provides a great service for the community, supporting young people with special needs who are seeking to gain work experience and give them a sense of being valued. They support Duke of Edinburgh placements. They facilitate many groups getting together like Parkinson’s and the wombles, art in the ark, Rummikub, NHS talk cafe and much more. They also run regular charity fundraising coffee events, for example for Macmillan.”
More than 2,500 people voted when Marlow FM announced the shortlists of nominees, after the public put forward nominations for each category.
Money raised from the event will go to help keep Marlow FM on air and serving the community.
