Wednesday evening’s Toymaster function saw a welter of presentations being made to a host of deserving people and companies.

Two Golden Teddies, Toymaster New Supplier of the Year award and recognition for four retiring sales people and a retailer which has been in business for fifty years were all part of Wednesday evening’s proceedings.

For the first time ever, Toymaster gave a New Supplier of the Year award, the inaugural recipient being Green Elephant Toys, whose best-selling range of putty has become a huge favourite with Toymaster members.

Nici Wilcox, MD Green Elephant, commented: “We are so thrilled to receive this award. We couldn’t have done it without our incredible team and an amazing product – thanks to all at Crazy Aaron’s. We’ve really enjoyed being a Toymaster supplier over the last year or so and getting to know so many lovely retailers. Toymaster is a great organisation to work with and we’ve never enjoyed a trade fair so much!”

Golden Teddies were presented to Michael Berg and Trevor Simmonds, while Vivid’s Ross Macdonald, agent Graham Hurrell and Character’s Colin Rossiter and Roger Brown were all recognised for the major contributions they have made to the industry ahead of their impending retirements.

Finally, Grovers Toymaster of Northallerton received a presentation to mark the retailer’s fifty years in the business.

The Wednesday evening entertainment was provided by Toy Division, a band made up entirely from the toy trade, featuring Bruno Gallone (John Adams), Matt Martin (Agent), Jon Starling (Starlings Toymaster), Matthew Parlett (John Adams), Jon Mallabar (Orchard Toys), Paul Reader (Toymaster) and John Melvin (Agent).