The outstanding commitment of eleven community volunteers was honoured by the Chairman of Wealden District Council at a special civic ceremony last week at the Barnsgate Manor, Herons Ghyll.
The Wealden Volunteer Award Scheme takes place every two years and this time it was Councillor Brian Redman’s opportunity as Council Chairman to pay tribute to the individual contributions that make life better for so many people living in the District.
“Volunteers play a vital part in our ability as a community to go forward,” said Councillor Redman. “As a Council we seek to encourage volunteers in the District and through our Community Grants Programme, we invest £337,000 every year in voluntary sector. Our commitment is well rewarded by the enthusiasm and dedication of the very many local volunteers in Wealden, some of whom are here tonight. That is why choosing the award winners is so difficult.”
Some 27 organisations entered the Awards this time.
The winner of the Community Volunteer Hero award was Brian Gauntlett who put in 1500 hours of volunteer time for Computers for Charities last year. The charity is celebrating 20 years of service to the local community.
“Brian Gauntlett has been actively involved in Computers for Charities for the past ten years,” said Councillor Redman. “Although computers represent a large part of the charity’s activities, at it heart there is very much a passion for people, ranging from volunteers who have stoically supported the organisation to diverse projects ranging from Christmas shoeboxes to prison education. It is people like Brian, with their time, skills and wisdom, who keep the organisation’s wheels turning.”
Brian also supports other groups including the Parkinson Disease Society.
The Award for Outstanding Community Achievement through Volunteer Hours was award to Shirley Smith of the Hailsham Trust. She clocked up 1600 hours of community work last year working in the Trust’s Community Corner charity Shop, which is the highest number of volunteer hours for any application. The Community Corner provides an attractive mix of low cost, second hand goods with friendly chat, advice about local services and a cheery cuppa. The Hailsham Trust’s work includes helping to combat social and economic deprivation in Hailsham: children & families, young people, black and minority ethnic communities, employability and training, healthy lifestyles, wellbeing and community activities. The Trust is in no doubt it doesn’t know how it would survive without Shirley providing the support she does.
The Special Volunteer Award was won by Geoff Gregory whose tireless efforts to improve Five Ashes Village Hall culminated in securing the staggering amount of £455,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to refurbish the southern end of the Hall. It took Geoff two year’s tenacity and hard work to secure the grant – Five Ashes Village Hall was the only successful Reaching Communities Building bid in Wealden. But the village hall has also needed help from elsewhere and Geoff has been successfully bidding for grants to improve the hall’s windows, heating, lighting, sports field drainage and to install a hearing loop.
Trustees play an important, although sometimes unsung role in providing the essential support to local voluntary groups. They are not forgotten in Wealden’s Volunteer Awards.
Wealden’s Trustee of the Year goes to Barbara Molog. She took over as chairman of the trustees of Mediation Plus in 2012 and has been instrumental in guiding a completely new board to oversee the mediation and conflict resolution charity. It is through this guidance that Mediation Plus is able to help hundred of people and families resolve many different disputes and improve relationships between the generations. Barbara has been at the centre of the development of accredited training programmes for volunteer mediators, and has helped develop the first intergenerational mediation unit with the Open College Network in London.
Each organisation receives a £100 and the winning volunteer a £25 gift voucher with the Volunteer Award .
The Chairman also presented the 2014 Civic Awards on behalf of the Council. The Civic Awards allow District Councillors to recognise the special contribution to the community individuals make in their own wards.
Here at the Civic Award winners:
Hellingly Mrs Gill Hesselgrave nominated by Cllr John Blake
Gill’s voluntary service for the Hellingly local community in the past ten years has included chairing the Hellingly Hospital Community Park Trust, representation on the Cuckmere Flood Forum, being a member of Hellingly Parish Council and raising money for the Agricultural Benevolent Fund by providing excellent farmhouse bed and breakfasts.
Pevensey Bay Mrs Doris Johnson nominated by Cllr Lin Clark
Doris has been running the local branch of the Red Cross since 1986 and through her efforts, the Red Cross Lunch Club has been providing a well cooked meal and good company for some 25 local people regularly at the Ethen Wood Memorial Hall.
Hooe Mr Dick Carey nominated by Cllr Pam Doodes
Dick has contributed to community in Hooe all his life. When a young man he started a boys club and managed the local football team. He has been a Parish Councillor for well over a quarter of a century and continues to make a welcome contribution to many aspects of village life.
Forest Row Mrs Monica Brown nominated by Cllr Peter Holloway
Monica is a tireless fund-raiser for the Forest Row Youth and Community Company, and helped them raise over £100,000 last year alone to spend on the young and old in Forest Row.
Mayfield Mr Peter Bodiam nominated by Cllr Brian Redman
Peter, helped by his wife, Judith, has been Transport Administrator for Mayfield and Five Ashes Community Cars, organising 700 journeys a year to help local residents attend medical appointments. It can be a lengthy task with an average of 2.5 calls needed to find an available driver. In the last four years providing this essential service, Peter has only taken two weeks off.
Horam Mr Michael Cousins nominated by Cllr Susan Stedman
Michael has been a long time member of Horam Parish Council and chairman for five years. He has been the driving force behind the Horam Centre, the village’s new community rooms. The Centre was opening on July 2012 and is fitting legacy to his hard work.
Mayfield Mrs Jean Olney nominated by Cllr Brian Redman
For the past 20 years, Jean has led a dedicated team of fund raisers to raise money for the Hospice in the Weald on behalf of Mayfield and other villages in the north of Wealden. During this time, they have organised some 79 events including concerts, lunches, pig roasts, bridge drives, flower demonstrations and coffee mornings; contributing more than £100,000 to the charity.
Guests at the civic barbecue were entertained by Mayfield Brass Band.
IMAGE CREDIT : WEALDEN COUNCIL : Barbara Molog, one of eleven volunteers honored across Wealden
