At the Awards Ceremony held on 4th October 2012 at Middlewich Civic Hall, Hankelow once more punched above its weight as the village was announced outright winner of Cheshire Community Action's Community Spirit Award for 2012, beating joint runners up Disley and Tattenhall.

Hankelow was described by Mrs Kathy Benn MBE, Chairman of Cheshire Community Action as "A little village with a big heart". Hankelow competed against villages in the whole of Cheshire for the most active communities with a population under 5,000. Hankelow has a population of 282.

Hankelow Amenity Group Chairman Val Morrey receives the award, which consists of a wall plaque, certificate and a cheque for £100, from Mrs Kathy Benn.

Hankelow Parish Councillor Ian Jones, Ann Jones and Val Morrey show the wall plaque and certificate