News Release

10th September 2004

SIMPLY THE BEST

"Simply the Best" said the Lichfield Mercury's headline when reporting a surprise award given to Michael Fabricant at their Awards Night held in Lichfield for local businesses and community service. Michael had been asked by the Lichfield Mercury to present a special "Michael Fabricant Award for Community Service" and this was presented to Anthony Evans, Musician in Residence at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

But a final award not billed in the programme took Michael Fabricant by surprise. Michael was called on to the stage to be given the Mercury Special Award for service to his constituency. It was presented by Paul Grimley of the Sony Centre Galleria in Lichfield who said "Michael has worked hard for the whole community fighting many campaigns including one to save the local hospital, is always around, and has strongly backed commerce in the district ever since he was first elected".

Not often lost for words, Michael Fabricant says "I was completely taken aback. I had been taken through the Awards Night programme in advance and this was not expected. It's a great honour to receive this award. It's fantastic because Lichfield is a real community and I do try and do my best for the area. It's great to know people appreciate what I do".