Millennium Egg celebrates rural economy success
The Millennium Egg – Winchester’s local economy Oscar - was this year awarded to David Webb during the annual Winchester Business Excellence Awards ceremony at the Guildhall Winchester on Friday 5 June.
Simon Eden, Chief Executive of Winchester City Council, announced David Webb as this year’s recipient, crediting his role as the local committee chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, a regular advisor to the Council, and as a successful businessman in his own right. Above all, his achievements as the chair of the Fieldfare Local Action Group were cited as his reason for being honoured.
Simon Eden said:
David is a worthy winner of the prestigious Millennium Egg. He has led the voluntary Fieldfare Local Action Group in delivering 134 grants totalling £1.4 million of European funds to businesses – 91 of these were in the Winchester District. Showing our appreciation to David demonstrates our wider support for the rural economy, and for the small business community across our District.
The Egg is Winchester’s equivalent to the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Oscar for the local economy. It is awarded in celebration of local people and organisations who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the economy of the District.
David Webb was delighted to receive the Millennium Egg. He said:
I am thrilled to have been recognised for the work I do in a number of roles supporting the local economy and I also recognise the work of those supporting me in those roles. My work with the Fieldfare Local Action Group has brought me even closer to Winchester’s rural economy, and has allowed me to get to know and help a huge number of small businesses across the area. We are looking forward to starting a new funding period soon, and helping even more people make their business more successful.
The ornate egg was crafted by Jeremy France Jewellers in 2000, who then donated it to Winchester City Council for use as an annual award. Previous award winners have included the late Graham Jamieson of the Wykeham Arms pub, Barbara Bryant who headed the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry for many years, Hampshire Farmers’ Market, Winchester Hat Fair, Winchester Cathedral, Mohamed Bakhaty, Chris Turner of the Winchester Business Improvement District, Jim Sawyer of London and Clancy, Richard Steele of Richard Steele and Partners, Tim Jackson, Principal at Sparsholt College, and last year Charles Barter of the Watercress Company. It is displayed throughout the year with a collection of civic silver outside the Bapsy Conference Chamber at Guildhall Winchester.