Sixteen Cheshire College students won Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester awards this year. The guilds have backed the college's awards for 58 years.
Sixteen students at Cheshire College South and West have been given this year’s Freemen and Guilds Awards, the prizes the Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester have presented with the college for 58 years.
The ceremony was held at the college’s Ellesmere Port Campus. The awards went to students in construction, motor vehicle, hospitality, creative arts and applied science, and each one carries the name of one or more of Chester’s historic trade companies: the Bakers, the Butchers, the Coopers, the Weavers, the Ancient and Worshipful Company of Bricklayers and others.
Chester’s guilds and the college
The Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester were set up in the 12th century to support local trades, keep up standards of craftsmanship and train apprentices, the college says. The awards are how the guilds carry that on today, by picking out young people learning a trade.
Dorothy Trussell, President of the Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester, said:
“The Freemen and Guilds have a proud history of supporting craftsmanship and skilled trades, and it is wonderful to see that tradition continue through these awards. Recognising these students helps highlight the importance of these skills and ensures they continue to be passed on to future generations.”
Helen Nellist, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO of Cheshire College South and West and Macclesfield College, said:
“Skilled craftsmanship continues to play an important role across many industries, and we are proud to see our students developing the expertise and passion needed to carry these skills forward.”
“Our long-standing partnership with the Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester reflects a shared commitment to celebrating skills, supporting young talent and recognising the achievements of our students through these special awards.”
A Chester Campus winner: the Weavers Award
Navy Barrigan-Cross, who is studying Level 3 Art and Design at the college’s Chester Campus, won the Weavers Award. She said:
“I’m really flattered to have won an award. I wasn’t expecting it, so it’s really lovely to know that my teachers put me forward for it.”
“There’s so much diversity at College and lots of different opportunities. It’s been really eye-opening to see what you can do here. You can come in with the craziest ideas and the tutors will help you make them happen. They’re always willing to support you, help you figure things out and get you where you want to be.”
The cooks’ prize: Innholders, Cooks and Victuallers
Sophie Wall, a Level 2 Professional Cookery student at the Ellesmere Port Campus, received the Innholders, Cooks and Victuallers Company Award. She said:
“I was quite shocked when I found out I was receiving the award, but it feels really good to know that my achievements have been recognised.”
“When I came along to the Open Evenings, I saw that the kitchens were great and the staff were really friendly. I felt it would be a good place to thrive, and my experience has been really positive. The support has been incredible, and I’ve absolutely loved my course.”
All 16 winners in 2026
| Student | Award |
|---|---|
| Billy McCone | Ancient and Worshipful Company of Bricklayers Award |
| Liam Smitheman | Joiners and Carvers Company Award |
| Dylan Lee | Smiths, Cutlers and Plumbers Award |
| Ho Chung Hermes Chiang | Bakers Award |
| Natasha Mealor | Barber Surgeons, Wax and Tallow Chandlers Co Award |
| Josh Wiffin | Butchers Award |
| Oliver Edwards | Cappers, Pinners, Wiredrawers and Linendrapers Award |
| Anastasia Preston | Clothworkers, Walkers and Masons Company Award |
| Jack Ryan | Coopers Company Award |
| Sophie Wall | Innholders, Cooks and Victuallers Company Award |
| Muqads Ghyiass | Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers and Apothecaries Pharmacy Award (Science) |
| Nadia Apalewicz | Painters, Glaziers, Embroiderers and Stationers Award |
| Jack Jones | Saddlers and Curriers Award |
| Tristan Young | Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers and Apothecaries Ironmongers Award (Engineering) |
| Navy Barrigan-Cross | Weavers Award |
| Callum Maciver | 14 to 16 Pre-Apprentice Award for Outstanding Achievement |
What it means for you
If you are choosing a course, these are the subject areas the guild awards cover: construction trades such as bricklaying and joinery, motor vehicle and engineering, cookery and hospitality, art and design, and applied science. The college has campuses in Chester and Ellesmere Port, and its next Chester open event is on 19 November, as we reported in our story on this autumn’s record open events.
The college
Cheshire College South and West merged with Macclesfield College on 1 August 2026. The college says the merged organisation is the largest provider of post-16 education in the region, with nearly 15,000 students and 1,500 apprentices. Ellesmere Port’s specialist facilities include its Sustainable House and Motor Vehicle Workshop, and the Chester Campus has media booths, TV studios, gaming suites, a Digital Hub and 3D printers, according to the college. More is on the college’s website.
More Cheshire College news: the first joint graduation at Chester Cathedral.
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