Places Matter! the regional architecture and built environment centre for the Northwest has announced this year’s winners of its Christmas Crackers, an annual festive awards scheme for outstanding contributions to design and the built environment. The awards celebrate the fresh, challenging and lively responses its winners each bring to their own areas of work.

Places Matter! would like to do it's bit in cheering on some of the individuals and organisations who have come to its attention during the year. Places Matter! is delighted to award its 2009 Christmas Crackers to:

Fred Story, Chief Executive, Story Group for his personal commitment to his work and his desire to make great places. Fred has worked closely with the team managing Marina Village to deliver a truly desirable residential area for the Barrow-in-Furness community.

Deirdre Lynskey, Programme Manager, Aimhigher Greater Merseyside for her enthusiasm and support for Places Matter! Education, enabling the programme to tap into existing networks and ensure projects can reach target audiences.

Peter Rowlinson, Head of Planning, and Mark Robinson, Development Control Manager, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council for their willingness to work with the Places Matter! Design Review panel to promote the very best of design quality in their area.

Elaine Woodburn, Leader, Copeland Borough Council, and Paul Crooks, Programme Development Manager, West Lakes Renaissance for aspiring to and commissioning good design in Whitehaven, a town that rightly deserves the best.

Ken Coupar, Enabling Officer, CABE for excellence in partnership working and delivery of Building for Life assessor training in the Northwest.

Alison Grant, Places Matter! Business Development Manager, said: ‘All these individuals have demonstrated that they are committed to improving quality of design in places and spaces in the Northwest – and they have worked hard with us to achieve that aspiration in 2009. Places Matter! can promote the value of good design, but we need the help and support of those at the coal face to deliver it – thank you!’