CARING CITIZENS ARE HONOURED BY EREWASH MAYOR

Erewash Mayor honours caring citizens

Community-minded residents and groups were honoured for their contribution to society at this year’s Erewash Mayor's Awards. Eleven caring residents and representatives from three local groups were presented with their awards by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Mary Hopkinson, in the Mayor’s Parlour at Ilkeston Town Hall on Tuesday 19th December. The awards are to recognise groups or individuals who carry out vital work in their community without expecting anything in return. The judging panel looked at nominations, made by members of the public, for evidence of special qualities and service beyond simply being a ‘good neighbour’ when picking out the award winners. Councillor Mary Hopkinson, the Mayor of Erewash, says:

“Presenting these awards is one of the highlights of my year in office. It was a pleasure for me to recognise all the recipients and an honour to personally congratulate and thank them for all that they do for this borough. I have seen at first hand the work of the countless people in this borough who work so selflessly to help others in so many ways. It is a privilege to be able to present awards to some of those residents and organisations.”

The individual recipients of a 2017 Mayor’s Award are:

Mr Danny Corns, of Trowell

Danny is a well-known figure around Ilkeston town centre as a member of the Ilkeston and District Local History Society which promotes the town, its history and its residents. He regularly gives talks and presentations on the history of the town and if anyone wants to know about historic events then Danny is usually their first port of call.

Mrs Susane Drew, of Ilkeston

Susane is a retired nursing Sister from the former Ilkeston Hospital, but although retired she finds time to not only look after her grandchildren but also makes all the costumes for the local schools’ plays and also goes into school to help the children with their reading. She was nominated by a parent whose 19-year-old son she has helped to learn to read and write. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three years old and was left with learning difficulties following his radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He left school at 16 unable to read or write. Susane took him under her wing and in three years, just one hour a week, she has taught him to read and write and therefore to be able to lead an independent life.

Ms Julie Genner, of Long Eaton

Julie has been a member of the Arts Forum (ArtsErewash) since 2011 assisting with Erewash Borough Council’s rEvive – Arts in Empty Shops project. She has supported other artists in the borough to have the confidence to show their work and develop their creative talents. Julie has been a strong member of the steering group and part of the working group which ‘revived’ the old Burton’s shop on Bath Street, Ilkeston and transformed it into a great gallery space. Not only has she volunteered many hours on these projects, she also helps and supports her elderly next door neighbour on a daily basis. 

Mrs Sylvia Gething, of Ilkeston

Mrs Gething is described as a wonderful person, full of love, kindness and compassion. She helps so many people – visiting people in hospital, helping people with shopping and cleaning and has run a coffee morning at St Andrew’s Church for many years. She also volunteers weekly at the Treetops Hospice shop and helps to raise funds for MacMillan and the Royal British Legion. She gives her time freely to so many.

Mrs June Hartley, of Stanley

Mrs Hartley was nominated to recognise a wide variety of volunteering she has undertaken over the years – nine years with the Ilkeston and Heanor Citizens Advice Bureau; the befriending scheme with the Erewash Volunteer Bureau and as a volunteer at Broomfield College. She is joint editor of the Stanley Parish Magazine and also organises musical evenings at the Parish Hall and St Andrew’s Church, the proceeds of which are given to church funds.

Keith and Sue Holbrook, of Borrowash

Keith and Sue are the founder members of the Ambassadors Show Band which has existed in Borrowash since 1979. The Band takes part in numerous carnivals and competitions as well as the village’s annual Remembrance Service Parade. They have given countless hours since 1979 to running the band and organising events - Keith with writing and organising the band displays, band practice every week and giving extra tuition and Sue as secretary. After 37 years they have reluctantly taken the decision to retire this year.

Mrs Patricia Morley, of Ilkeston

Mrs Morley has been nominated for an Award in recognition of her service with the League of Friends of Ilkeston Community Hospital over the last 21 years which has seen her carrying out a variety of duties, the most recent being the organisation of the new refreshment bar. She is also actively involved with the running of the Erewash 50+ Forum as its Chairman.

Mr Kenneth Moreton, of Draycott

Ken epitomises true community spirit. Each day he is out and about in the parish, litter picking and noting issues which require attention which he then passes to the parish council. He also volunteers at the Treetops Hospice shop in the village and is an enthusiastic member of Draycott in Bloom. 

Mrs Nancy Plummer, of Breaston

Nancy has been running the Erewash Visually Impaired Group (VIPs) for almost 20 years. The group is attended by people who are blind, deaf and partially sighted, some of which are wheelchair users. Nancy arranges all the transport along with the weekly programme of activities. The group meets weekly in Breaston and gives vulnerable people the opportunity to socialise with other people and receive support and friendship.

Mrs Kerry Wheatley, of Ilkeston

Kerry is passionate about her community and the people who live in it. She is a teaching assistant at a local junior school but the work she carries out on extra-curricular activities goes far beyond her duties, giving endless hours of her own time at weekends and in the evening. For the last 14 years she has run the school’s gardening club, winning countless awards over the years and even getting a stand at the Chelsea Flower Show. She encourages children to help their local community through gardening – planting at the Cenotaph, Victoria Park and the recently opened Ilkeston Station. She has touched the hearts and minds of so many of the school’s pupils and has made a difference to so many.

Jeff Wynch, of West Hallam

Jeff’s contribution to the work of local community groups has had a lasting and positive impact on the area. As Chair of the Friends of Straws Bridge for the last seven years, he has been a key organiser of many of the events and activities which have improved the site and led to it winning Green Flag status. Jeff leads by example and regularly litter picks the site and has worked hard to increase membership of the group and generate funds which have been used to improve the site for visitors and the wildlife there. He is now Chair of the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, a group of people working with Sustrans to restore the viaduct to preserve its heritage and provide cycling and walking trails. He is also a member of the Borough Council’s footpath and bridleways initiative.

The Group Award winners for 2017 are:

Ilkeston Life community newspaper

The Ilkeston Life newspaper was founded two years ago by Bob Attewell and Paul Opiah and now has a very large readership. This is a free publication enjoyed by so many within the town and neighbouring areas and the input is made entirely by volunteers – people who are helping keep residents informed through this community newspaper.

The Friends of Hayworth Park, Sandiacre

This group was nominated for their inspirational work in transforming Hayworth Park from a neglected space into a tidy, clean, safe park for the local community to enjoy. They work tirelessly with the council to maintain the park and organise community events.

Breaston in Bloom

This bloom team was formed in January 2017 and members have worked closely together to engage with their local community through flowers. They have raised funds, increased sponsorship, engaged with local businesses and involved all age ranges of the community in an effort to improve the village for residents and visitors alike. They have in turn made new friends and Breaston has started to come alive. From small beginnings of just two residents there are now 25-30 people involved. The team entered the East Midlands in Bloom Competition and achieved a silver medal in the Small Town Category; a Judges’ Award and a Special Award. This is an amazing achievement in just a few months and the team are to be television stars - the BBC filmed them in action during the summer and the show ‘Blooming Marvellous’ will be aired in February 2018.