DOUBLE honours have been awarded to a Worcestershire man for his contribution to music in the Midlands.

Andrew Jowett, of Pershore, is director of both Birmingham Town Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Birmingham Civic Society has presented him with a gold medal in recognition of his “significant contribution to Birmingham’s artistic reputation.” The presentation was made at the Symphony Hall which received the society’s prestigious Forward Prize for the “breadth of its programme combined with its proactive engagement with the local community”.

Mr Jowett, aged 60, has been director for more than 20 years.

Receiving the Forward Prize, he said: “It is a great honour to receive this award from the Birmingham Civic Society. It recognises everything that Symphony Hall stands for. Even before the building opened, it was clear that Symphony Hall would be a symbol of the city’s regeneration and cultural renaissance.

“Twenty years on, I remain immensely proud that the building which was received with overwhelming critical, artistic and public acclaim at its opening is still ranked at the top of the world’s international concert halls and is still cherished by the people of Birmingham.”

Only 37 gold medals have been awarded in the 93 years since the formation of the civic society.

Previous recipients have included former mayor, city MP and Prime Minister Sir Neville Chamberlain, former conductor of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle, the founder of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Sir Barry Jackson and relief worker and promoter of improved housing Florence Barrow.

The Forward Prize has only been awarded on 23 previous occasions.

David Clarke, chairman of Birmingham Civic Society, said: “Having opened in 1991 Symphony Hall is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest concert halls and the source of great civic pride.

“From the outset, Andrew has been responsible for its artistic programming, operation, and management and, with his team, is credited with having created an outstanding programme of activity at Symphony Hall that appeals to a wide audience together with a community engagement programme that reaches 10,000 people each year.”