"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".

Paul Grimley presenting Michael Fabricant with the Special Award