Community-minded residents and groups have been honoured for their contribution to society at this year’s Erewash Mayor's Awards.
Seven caring residents and representatives of three local groups were all presented with their award by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Robert Parkinson, at the 2010 event - held in the Mayor’s Parlour at Ilkeston Town Hall on Thursday. (10th)
The annual awards are held to recognise groups or individuals who carry out vital work in their community without expecting anything in return. The judging panel looks for evidence of special qualities and service beyond simply being a ‘good neighbour’ when picking out the award winners.
Councillor Parkinson, the Mayor of Erewash, says:
“Presenting these awards is one of the highlights of the year for every Mayor of Erewash. It was a great pleasure for me to recognise all the recipients of the 2010 awards and an honour to meet them and personally congratulate them and thank them for all that they do for this borough.
“All those who serve as Mayor of Erewash get to see first hand the countless people who work so selflessly to help others in so many ways. It was a privilege to be able to present awards to some of those residents and organisations. I look forward to meeting them and many others during my year in office.”
The successful recipients of a 2010 Mayor’s Award are:
Mr Jonathan Roe of Breadsall – Jonathan (Jonty) has been a member of the Derby Mountain Rescue Team for 38 years, being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. For 20 of those years, Jonty has been the radio officer for the organisation giving more of his time and energy to ensure essential, efficient communication is available whenever the team is active. The organisation not only goes to the aid of missing and injured persons in the countryside, but also supports police with missing persons (often with acute medical/mental health problems) in the wider community and retrieving injured persons that are inaccessible to ambulance vehicles. Jonty’s award acknowledges and recognises the many years of voluntary service he has given to some of the most vulnerable and distressed people in today’s society.
Mrs Stella Beaumont of West Hallam – Stella has devoted 30 years service to the community of West Hallam. From 1995 to the present time, she is the Brown Owl of the 2nd West Hallam Brownie pack looking after 24 Brownies at their weekly meet. From 1980 to 1994, she was the supervisor of the West Hallam Village Playgroup which provided childcare facilities most days of the year and from 1993 to the present day she has been the organiser of the West Hallam Village Playscheme Association during the summer holidays, entertaining up to 50 five to11 year olds. She is also a past member of the West Hallam Village Hall Committee.
Mrs Janet Rue of Cotmanhay – for the past seven years, Janet has been the lead member of the Age Concern Christchurch Wednesday Luncheon Club providing food and fellowship for over 20 elderly and disabled people within the area. She is also the lead member of the Christchurch Ladies Group.
Julie and Katie Middleton of Ilkeston– Julie and Katie are a mother and daughter team who have arranged drop-off points in and around Ilkeston for people to donate items to send to our serving soldiers in Afghanistan. Julie’s son is currently serving overseas and has confirmed that many soldiers do not get parcels sent out to them. Julie and Katie collect items which have been donated, pack them into shoe boxes and send them to Afghanistan via the British forces post office.
Awards are also being made to two gentlemen from the Borough who are the ‘eyes of their local community’. They go out into the community on a regular basis to check for any problems - like fly-tipping, full litter bins, graffiti and anti-social behaviour - and report back to the Borough Council or the Police. Due to the sensitivity of their work, they have to remain anonymous.
The Pegasus of the Monday Luncheon Club, Flamsteed Centre, Ilkeston– The Ilkeston Age Concern affiliated Monday Luncheon Club has run for many years and was in danger of folding because of the retirement of the original volunteer workforce. A whole group of volunteers were desperately needed and fast! Local volunteers contacted each other and met up to see how they might keep this popular Luncheon Club afloat – and so, almost like Pegasus, the Club was revived. The new volunteers have been recognised for their commitment and dedication, which has enabled this valuable resource to continue.
River Erewash Foundation - This group of volunteers has been working on the River Erewash, improving flow, removing rubbish, cutting back trees and generally bringing the area back to pristine condition. Along the way, they have improved the habitat for people, floral and fauna. Most weekends will see volunteers doing something along the river. They work alongside many organisations such as the Environment Agency, the Wild Trout Trust and the Riverfly Partnership t o improve the area for everyone to enjoy. This year, the Group has attracted more young volunteers by way of the Prince’s Trust.
Nottingham Road Methodist Church Youth Group
The combined efforts of all the volunteers help deliver the very popular Trash and Lighthouse Youth Clubs on a weekly basis. This invaluable work offers a social base for many local youngsters who would otherwise have nowhere to meet. The service they provide is sometimes challenging and the longevity of the provision demonstrates the commitment of the volunteers to the community. More recently, youth work has seen additional projects brought to local young people via the continued efforts of the members of the Methodist Group in collaboration with partnership work with the Safer Community Beat Team, who sourced funding to help deliver two 10 week dance sessions – which provided instruction to local youth of new skills and access to different hobbies.
