Crickhowell has been consumed by “civic pride and community spirt” as people take to social media to vote in large numbers in support the town’s bid to win a Great British High Street award.
At one point, the town (population 2,000) had more votes than major cities like Altrincham in Greater Manchester (population 50,000) and was leading the UK voting after hundreds of people posted the hashtags #GBHSCrickhowell and #MyHighStreet on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Altrincham took to Twitter to say “Altrincham certainly shouldn’t be beaten by Crickhowell …we don’t even know where Crickhowell is”. This provoked a response from Crickhowell’s independent Book-ish Bookshop who told Altrincham to #getyourmap out. Others joined in using the hashtags #civicpride #communityspirit and #VoteCrickhowell. Latte Da Coffee and Kitchen wrote: ”It’s not the size of the town that matters, nor the population, but the heart and soul of the people who live there. We Love Crickhowell”.
The team from Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd – who entered the competition for the town – held a drop-in session for people who were confused by the voting process. Corn Exchange Communications Director, Tim Jones, said: “Crickhowell’s effort so far has been truly heroic – there’s been a real buzz around. To think that a small town like ours can beat huge cities to the popular vote is amazing and what’s even better is that the final count will be based on population size. We just need people to keep on voting, you can vote as often as you like so please keep going.”.
Stars of Literature and TV, including sports commentator John Inverdale, broadcaster Jamie Owen and cast members and the writer of Keeping Faith posed with posters urging people to “Vote Crickhowell”. And shops and businesses have been coming up with the most inventive ways of writing #GBHSCrickhowell into goods they sell.
John Inverdale
Preparations are well underway for the “Judging Day” when the Great British High Street judges visit the town. Crickhowell cubs have been making bunting and volunteers are being recruited to hang it and to decorate the town on Sunday October 21st from 2-5pm.
Assistant Cub Leader Andrew Jenkins said: “”The High Street traders do so much for us. They are always willing to help out. It’s great to have a chance to give something back.”
The judges will be given a 2-hour tour of the town by Tim Jones and Corn Exchange Managing Director, Dean Christy. Tim said: “We want to show them Crickhowell’s Unique High Street which is completely full of independent and family-run businesses. But we also want to show them other aspects of the town which make it so special – like the work done by volunteers. We want as many of these people as possible to turn out to decorate the High Street on the Sunday so we can photograph them and show the judges our community in action.”
Crickhowell Cubs making bunting to decorate the High Street.
