THE ex-director of Bewdley Festival has been honoured by the town council with a second Civic Award.

Jenny Paddock retired from her role in December 2015 after years at the helm of the popular annual event.

She was presented with the Bewdley Town Council Civic Award at an evening, held at St George’s Hall, arranged by the festival’s original director, Jock Gallagher, to mark her retirement after 18 years.

Jenny had previously received a Civic Award from the town council in January 2006.

She said: “I am humbled and honoured to be the first person to receive a second Civic Award from Bewdley Town Council in recognition of my work with Bewdley Festival and St George’s Hall.

“This award emphasises the important place that the festival holds in the town’s calendar.

“I feel Bewdley Festival is in very safe hands for the future and I am looking forward to this October’s programme.”

Dave Collins, festival director, said: “Jenny’s eighteen years have seen festival go from strength to strength.

“Her legacy is a financially successful, well-loved, volunteer-led, regional Arts Festival that has also been able to co-fund the installation of a cinema in St George’s Hall and the creation of public art in Jubilee Gardens.

“It is a cliché, but nonetheless entirely true, that she is a very hard act to follow.”

Councillor John Beeson, Bewdley Mayor, added: “I could not think of anyone more deserving of a second civic award.

“The amount of hard work and effort Jenny has put into Bewdley Festival and the renovation of St George's Hall has drastically helped to improve Bewdley’s community facilities whilst putting Bewdley on the map for arts and entertainment.

“She will be sadly missed although well deserving of a rest.”

The dinner was attended by more than 90 dignitaries, sponsors, festival members and friends.

After the dinner, guests were entertained by tributes in music and words from Mayfli with pianist Danny Bold on behalf of the Bewdley Youth Festival, the Bewdley Bards on behalf of Bewdley Book Week, Alan and Heather Fairs, and Max Keen on behalf of Bewdley Festival.