Proud of Barnsley Awards 2023 - Special Recognition Awarded to Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson

I wish to share with you some absolutely wonderful news, last night I was invited to present an Award at the 'Proud of Barnsley' Award ceremony. Little did I know that I was actually the recipient of the Special Recognition Award now posthumously named 'The Michael Parkinson Award'.
To say I was surprised was an understatement, with congratulatory videos from; Radio presenter Liz Green, Author Milly Johnson, Ian Mc Millan, friends from Calendar Christine Talbot and Jon Mitchell, Prof Dame Hilary Chapman and two old friends Tony Christie and Chris Bond.
I am so humbled and proud to have accepted this award, for those who might know my history, Barnsley will always be in my heart for it provided me direction and focus growing from a young boy into a man. I will always be grateful for the art teacher and headmaster who kept my artwork in a portfolio and sent me for interview at Art School. It was here that I not only gained my art foundations but also met my wife whilst I was painting the gates.
My Art Gallery was established in Barnsley and my two daughters born in Barnsley. The Yorkshire landscape has fired my passion to paint but Barnsley gave me the straight talking grit and determination to achieve, so words cannot truly convey what this Award means to me.
Thank you Barnsley.
#proudofbarnsley