Nominations Open for Penzance Citizen of the Year Awards 2026

Who Will Be Penzance’s Citizen of the Year in 2026? Nominations Open

Nominations have opened for the Brian Spiegelhalter Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards 2026, with Penzance Council inviting people across the parish to put forward individuals who have made a difference in the community.

Now in their 23rd year, the awards recognise people who go the extra mile to help others and celebrate those whose actions have had a positive impact on life in Penzance.

Celebrating Local Contributions

The awards were first launched in 2003 by the late Brian Spiegelhalter of B.J. Spiegelhalter & Son and a former Mayor of Penzance. They were created to celebrate the work and achievements of local people and highlight their contribution to the community.

Mark Spiegelhalter said:

“These awards celebrate the people who go the extra mile for others in our community. It’s a wonderful way to honour my late father’s legacy while recognising the dedication and kindness that makes Penzance such a special place.”

Awards for Adults and Young People

Penzance Council is seeking nominations for two categories:

• Citizen of the Year (aged 18 and over)
• Young Citizen of the Year (aged under 18)

People can be nominated for a wide range of activities, including community service, volunteering, charity work, outstanding achievements and local environmental action.

Nominations are open to anyone living, working or studying within the Parish of Penzance. The awards aim to highlight individuals who have gone the extra mile over the past 12 months or whose selfless actions have improved the lives of others.

Community Nominations Encouraged

Penzance Council Town Clerk James Hardy said:

“We are always lucky to have so many worthy candidates for the Brian Spiegelhalter Citizen of the Year Awards, and we again hope to get a large number of nominations from across the Parish.

“These awards are an opportunity to highlight the invaluable contribution of so many volunteers within our community, celebrating their roles as part of the Annual Mayor Choosing Ceremony.”

The council says public nominations are particularly important as many individuals and organisations doing valuable work in the community may not have an online or social media presence.

How to Nominate

The full awards criteria and nomination forms are available on the Penzance Council website. Printed nomination forms can also be collected from the Penzance Council offices at the Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance.

The closing date for nominations is midnight on Tuesday 31st March 2026.

What Happens Next

All nominations will be reviewed by a panel made up of the Town Mayor, the Town Clerk and a representative of B.J. Spiegelhalter & Son.

Once chosen, the winners will be invited to the Annual Council Meeting in May at St John’s Hall, Penzance, where they will receive their awards from the Mayor of Penzance.

The winners will also attend the Mayor’s Reception, which will take place immediately after the ceremony.