AN ELLESMERE community arts group has received the Shropshire High Sheriff's Award for the work it has done in the town.

Fizzgiggs Community Arts was nominated for the award by the town's mayor, Councillor Anne Wignall and the chairwoman, Mirjana Garland was presented with the award by the Shropshire High Sheriff, Selina Graham.

Cllr Wignall spoke about how delighted she was to nominate Fizzgiggs Community Arts.

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She said: "I was delighted to nominate this amazingly creative and talented group for the tremendous work that it carries out in the Ellesmere area.

"The award was so well deserved."

The Ellesmere mayor added she had many reasons to nominate the group.

She added: "Fizzgigs bring a smile to people’s faces.

"For more than ten years, this innovative, creative group has appeared on high days and holidays creating a variety of community events that are accessible to the local community and which encourage a sharing of experiences and skills across all age groups.

"Following a series of lantern workshops, every year they lead the Winter Festival procession with unusual lanterns that have included a horse, swan, unicorn and a full-size model of Stevenson’s Rocket with moving pistons and smoke.

"Members act in mummers’ plays, have performed the tale of 'George and the Dragon' in the White Hart, and recreated the granting of Ellesmere’s Market Charter 800 years ago with a street performance with music that included Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, a noble steed, and a colourful Welsh dragon.

"Last summer Fizzgigs presented stories of canal boat women at the Ellesmere Yard and created a wondrous trail of creatures in the magical plantation wood.

"At the Jubilee celebrations they ran a crown-making tent and knighted members of the town for carrying out good deeds.

"The Halloween Final Fling sees the community’s used pumpkins flung from the Fizzgigs trebuchet.

"Numerous ceilidhs have been held with music provided by the Fizzjigs band.

"Giant puppets have been created to mark the seasons such as a giant Christmas angel and Primavera Goddess of Spring with her sprites in the May Day festivities.

"Music, visual arts festivals and treasure hunts have been enjoyed."

To find out more about Fizzgiggs Community Arts visit http://fizzgigs.co.uk/