At an event hastily arranged following the evacuation of the Market on Wednesday evening, High Sheriff, Jeannie France-Hayhust presented local charity SHARE (Supporting Homeless Assisting Refugees Everywhere) with a special award to recognise their role in supporting the homeless community.
Jeannie is nearing the end to her year as High Sheriff, a year she committed to supporting the arts. Many have benefitted from her interest and support. Prior to the event she commented that :
‘Those who visit The Share Shop in Pepper Street find that with its delightful café it is much more than a charity shop. It’s a lovely place to rest and relax. Of course the shop is an important part of the work, but it is only one aspect. Share offers recovery art and mental welfare support in addition to providing basic necessities to Chester’s most vulnerable. The Share Shop is unique to Chester, and that is the reason that as High Sheriff of Cheshire I would like to acknowledge their work.’
Founder Adam Dandy paid tribute to the team at SHARE who had assembled in Storyhouse.
“When we first started, we launched a snowball and it kept going down the hill, We were struggling to contain it and manage it. We dont realise that the problem we were trying to solve was so big. Without every single one of you, we wouldn’t have been able to literally, save peoples lives. Every single person in this room has one way or another saved somebody’s life. We’ve lost a few and its been hard. I hear quite regularly that people have passed away. We should raise a toast to people that we weren’t able to save, and the people that we we were able to save thanks to all the exceptional work that you’ve all done.
“The new shop is fantastic, the day centre is inspirational. Mold is fantastic, they do great work there- they don’t get the praise that they deserve. every single one of you- you’ve all come on leaps and bounds, you’ve transformed and helped SHARE become what it is today. “
Also due to be rewarded at the cancelled market event was prolific Chester Busker Ed Alleyne-Johnson. The well known violinist was amongst those evacuated following the Wednesday incident and was due to recive the High Sheriff’s Award for Music. Ed has been busking in Chester for over 40 years. The High Sheriff, recently saw him playing in Chester Cathedral beneath the Gaia. ‘He was wonderful. The sight of the Gaia was an emotional experience in itself, but this was hugely enhanced by the beautiful music created by Ed. He has given so much pleasure to thousands of listeners over the years that I was delighted when he agreed to accept a High Sheriff’s award for Music.’
The Chester blog 