Mansfield ice skate champion Corey Spencer and businessman Graham Key were awarded a Mayor’s Commendation for their contribution to the town’s first Christmas ice rink.

Electrician Graham and his company offered his services free for the new festive initiative,
The Mayor, Kate Allsop, said both were nominated for the awards by council officers for all their selfless work to support the outdoor ice rink in Mansfield over Christmas.

Corey, the reigning British adult male freestyle champion, laid on a free spectacular ice show to launch the rink, choreographing and starring in the show with a talented hand-picked team of local amateur skaters.

He said: “It was a huge surprise and honour to receive this award.

“I was only too happy to help support the ice rink and it was my pleasure to work with Mansfield District Council and the local community of Mansfield.

“Anything that inspires more people to get on the ice and have a skate has to be worthwhile!

“We had great feedback about the show from the public and I would like to thank Suzanne Mantle, Gemma Kerry and our team of skaters who worked really hard to bring it together. It was a lot of fun for all of us.”

Presenting Corey with his award, the mayor said his talent and hard work had made the opening event “an absolute spectacle.”

She added: “Everyone enjoyed it and I am sure you encouraged many youngsters on to the ice over that period.”

Graham Key’s company, Grays Electrical Engineering Ltd, contributed 219 working hours, saving the council more than £7,600, and also managed to secure more than £1,600-worth of free materials from its electrical supplier, Juice Electrical Supplies, towards the ice rink.

He said he was delighted to be involved in the project and wanted to give something back to the community.

Presenting Graham with his award, the mayor added: “Nothing was too much trouble for you — you made the ice rink happen!

“You said you wanted to give something back to the community. What can I say? What a lovely, generous man you are.”

The ice rink was in place in the Market Place for a month, from the end of November, and was used by more than 4,700 skaters. As well as the ice show, Corey hosted weekly skating lessons.

The district council said nearly 7,000 more visitors came to Mansfield during Christmas 2018 than during the same shopping period in he previous year.

It said there was an increase in car parking revenue of £8,000 at a time when retailers in Britain experienced their worst Christmas in a decade, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The Mayor’s Commendations are awarded to a person or a community group that goes the extra mile for Mansfield. Anyone can make a nomination.

Email [email protected], giving reasons why the nominee should be commended.
Successful nominees will be invited to attend a Full Council meeting to receive their certificate.