Babergh & Mid SuffolkDistrict Councils

AchievementAwards 2016

Community

In Partnership with and generously sponsored by

Wherstead Park, IpswichThursday 21 April 2016

WelcomeThis is the first year that Babergh and Mid Suffolk have decided to run a joint Community Achievement Awards ceremony. With such a high calibre and quantity of nominations this year, it is very gratifying to see our first joint ceremony such a success. We, along with the other members of the judging panel, had a difficult decision in selecting the 2016 winners.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the East of England Co-op for their very generous sponsorship this year. As a likeminded organisation, that is concerned enough to support local producers and also help to fund community projects, we see them as the perfect partner. We’d also like to thank Lesley and the events team at Wherstead Park for hosting us.

Finally, congratulations to each and every one of our winners whose drive, determination and commitment make their communities a better place to live.

Councillor Derek Osborne Councillor Nick Ridley Chairman of Chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council Babergh District Council

Welcome from headline sponsor, East of England Co-OpAs the largest independent community retailer in the region, with over 200 stores at the heart of towns and villages across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, we have the privilege of knowing and working with many fantastic groups and individuals whose selfless efforts to make their community a better place so often goes unrewarded.

That is why we are thrilled to once again be supporting the Community Achievement Awards this year and have the opportunity to say thank you – on behalf of our colleagues and customers, along with those who have nominated and voted for their community heroes.

Christian Bone Head of Member and Community Services East of England Co-op http://www.eastofengland.coop/about-us

Partnership with Offshoot films

As part of this year’s ceremony, the Councils have been working with Sudbury-based company Offshoot Films to produce a short film on all our winners, which will be shown throughout the awards ceremony. The film highlights the work of our winners and also features the nominators explaining why they felt an award should be given.

A big thank you to Paul Press and his team, including the Sudbury and Great Cornard Young Filmmakers, for their hard work and professionalism throughout the project.

A copy of the film shown at the ceremony will be posted to winners after the awards evening. A copy will also be available on the Council’s websites.

Partnership with Radio Suffolk

Our Guest of Honour, BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy will be our compere for the evening. Mark has been compere for Babergh and Mid Suffolk awards for many years and his continued support and the profile he gives these awards is very much appreciated.

You can join Mark for his Big Conversation on his mid-morning show on BBC Radio Suffolk.

Partnership with Suffolk County Music Service

TO BE CONFIRMED

Judging Panel

This year’s judging panel involved Councillors and young people from Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

The task of the judging panel is not an easy one and with 59 nominations received this year, the task certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted.

Thank you to all who took part in particular to the students from Thomas Gainsborough School, Asha Mayes, a 2015 award winner, Josef Thompson and also to Danny Hughes.

6.00pm Arrival and welcome drink

6.30pm Welcome by Councillor Derek Osborne and Councillor Nick Ridley and Christian Bone from the East of England Co-Op.

6.45pm Presentation of 15 Community Achievement Awards, compered by BBC Radio Suffolk presenter, Mark Murphy

Awards presented by: Councillor Derek Osborne, Chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council, Councillor Nick Ridley, Chairman of Babergh District Council and Christian Bone, Head of Member and Communities Services at the East of England Co-operative Society.

7.30pm Dinner is served. Each table will receive a sharing platter of locally produced food beautifully created by Patricia Sharman & Company. Menus are available on the table.

8.15pm Presentation of 15 Community Achievement Awards, compered by BBC Radio Suffolk presenter, Mark Murphy

Awards presented by Councillor Derek Osborne, Chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council, Councillor Nick Ridley, Chairman of Babergh District Council and Christian Bone, Head of Member and Communities Services at the East of England Co-operative Society.

9.30pm Group photo – all winners will be invited onto the stage for a final group photograph

9.45pm Closing remarks from Charlie Adan, Chief Executive of Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils

10:00pm Carriages await

Evening Programme

2016 Community Achievement Award Winners

Rising StarThis category recognises individuals or groups who are under the age of 18 years who have made an outstanding contribution to their local school or community.

Phoebe Mercer – Thurston

Phoebe’s selfless acts in fundraising and sports leadership are just some of the reasons she has been recognised as a Rising Star.

Phoebe is always looking at how she can fundraise for charities close to her heart. Through leading and organising, as well as taking part in 10km run itself, Phoebe’s enthusiasm and drive helped to raise over £1,200 for the Help4Heroes charity. Phoebe’s fundraising activities don’t just stop there. She also supported St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds to raise funds for her friend’s sister, Annie, who has severe drug resistant epilepsy which can mean some months she has up to 300 seizures. Phoebe’s hard work meant that over £1,100 was raised through various fundraising activities.

During the school term, Phoebe can be found leading a cross country club which allows students to train and prepare for competitions. Phoebe runs the club every Tuesday at Thurston Community College, which provides students between the age of 12 and 15 with two hours of quality coaching. This supports students who are unable to train at home or in a fee paying running club. The students find the sessions beneficial as they learn new skills and techniques, as well as improving their fitness levels contributing to their overall wellbeing.

Out of school, Phoebe is a sergeant within the Army Cadet Force. She teaches the cadets a variety of subjects on a weekly basis which provides them with skills and drills which they can use throughout their cadet careers.

As a student of Thurston Community College, Phoebe is an outstanding ambassador. She is able to mobilise her peers to take action to support and raise funds for the community in which she lives and studies. Whilst doing so, she remains on top of her A Level studies and meets all her deadlines.

Phoebe’s outstanding contributions to the community, in which she lives and studies, are truly remarkable and reach a phenomenally wide audience and of all ages.Nominated by Jean Wheeler

Benjamin Munson - Sudbury

Ben is a young unsung hero who readily and generously gives hours of his time to the Befriending Scheme in Sudbury. The Befriending Scheme provides friendship and learning opportunities for adults from vulnerable groups, including those with learning disabilities, mental health needs and older people.

Ben is a complete natural with members of the Befriending Scheme. He supports each individual with a mixture of respect and dignity, whilst empowering them to be independent.

Ben regularly volunteers for the service and plays an instrumental part in major events. He has demonstrated remarkable commitment and is fast developing his organisational and leadership skills alongside his ability to demonstrate initiative.

Unfortunately Ben can’t be an official volunteer until he turns 16 however despite his age, he is currently an integral part to the Befriending Scheme and the work that Ben supports is helping him to develop into a remarkable young man.

Ben is clearly a very special young man who is making a truly outstanding contribution to his community. He demonstrates considerable care and dedication to all involved in the Befriending Scheme, he is an inspiration and a wonderful role model to all.Nominated by Tracey Welsh

Molly Hutchings and Elsie Nunn - Felsham

Rising Stars Molly and Elsie’s dedication and commitment in keeping their village clean and clear of rubbish means that residents of Felsham benefit from a cleaner and safer environment.

Molly and Elsie give up their time to litter pick twice a month. They have been out and about since September 2015 and have pledged to undertake two litter picks, every month, for a whole year.

Come rain or shine, Molly and Elsie will be found out in their community and their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed in helping to keep the village clean and tidy for big events such as the Christmas Market. Work doesn’t stop after events either, with Molly and Elsie going out after big events such as the firework night to clear rubbish.

Felsham is seeing a reduction in litter as their efforts bear fruit, the main stretch of road through the centre of our conservation area, where people discard their litter from vehicles and outside the village shop is seeing a marked improvement down entirely to their community contribution.

The community of Felsham are really lucky to have two young and keen volunteers to help keep their beautiful village tidy. Their community spirit and willingness to give their time and effort to their community is a real credit to Molly and Elsie. Nominated by Felsham Parish Council

Community Hero This category recognises a person who has provided selfless service to a voluntary body or made a significant contribution to their community, making a real difference to the people and the place that they have supported.

Frances Dowsett – Glemsford

Frances has been recognised as a community hero for her dedication as a volunteer for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

Frances provides exceptional support for people facing long-term and life-threatening illnesses by offering care within the comfort of their own home. She delivers care of the highest standard and has given a great deal of encouragement, support and plenty of laughs along the way to both the patient and their families at what is an incredibly difficult and challenging time.

Frances showed exceptional compassion providing care for a young lady and her seven children. Frances invested a great deal of her time to get to know the mother and her children to ensure she could support the family’s needs. Frances supported the family by carrying out the weekly shop, household tasks but most importantly supported the children’s emotional wellbeing.

Unfortunately in a relatively short period of time, the mother became very ill and was admitted to St Nicholas Hospice Care near to Christmas. Frances visited the family at home and the mother in the Hospice and sometimes arranged, with the help of the Hospice’s Family Support Team, for them all to visit at the Hospice.

The mother’s wish was to be to be with her children during the last few days of her life. She had her wish granted when the nurses asked if she wanted to go home for Christmas. Preparations were made with the daughter and, under the watchful eye of Frances, the patient came home. The whole family, plus Frances, helped to make it the most memorable Christmas for them all. Sadly the mother passed away a few days later and Frances enabled her to have her last wish by celebrating her last Christmas with her children and saying her final goodbyes.

Frances is a warm and giving person and has made a real difference to all the families and individuals she has supported. Nominated by Kay Newman

George Frost – Eye

George is someone who, over the years, has very quietly done so much for the people of Mid Suffolk and indeed for the whole county.

George has always done that little bit extra to help people who sought his help, advice and support through all his work and roles within the community. As Agricultural Chaplain for the Methodist Church in Suffolk, George was a founder member in Suffolk for Farm Crisis Network. George did much to help those involved through the horrors of swine fever and foot and mouth disease and continues in offering support to any farmer having difficulties. George has become a real asset for the farming community across the county.

George is also founder member and trustee of the highly regarded Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project. George can nowadays be found parking the caravan into the most unlikely places that have been made available for the caravan to park. He always makes visitors feel welcome and is always ready to help at Golden Age Fairs and Memory Teas, even playing the piano and taking requests.

Add to this the work George does for the Methodist Church and you find a man who does much for the community and asks no recognition in return. Nominated by Sally Fogden

John Rye – Hadleigh

John was part of a team that set up the very popular Porch Project in St Marys Church, Hadleigh in 2009. Since this time, John has volunteered many hours, giving up many week nights to help support the young people who attend.

The Porch Project aims to support young people’s physical, mental, social, spiritual and educational well-being. The project currently engages with over 450 young people in Hadleigh and the surrounding areas through its social activities, learning and support programmes, school visits and street work.

Known as the “smiler” to young people who attend, John not only has given up hundreds and hundreds of hours volunteering, but he also finds time to volunteer for the Charities Management Committee, which makes all the decisions on the day-to-day running of the project. Nominated by Craig Hutton

Sue Parker – Mid Suffolk District

Sue is a mental health service user who has huge compassion and understanding of peoples experiences of mental illness. For the last four years, Sue has been the Chair of Mid Suffolk VASP, which is a voluntary partnership operating across Suffolk.

Sue has not only chaired the regular meetings but has given her all. Sue’s commitment and the great energy she brings to the group, is why she a community hero. She is committed to meeting people who live rurally and to reduce social isolation especially for those experiencing mental distress. Sue has also found time to become a dementia champion and brings innovation to all of her work wherever she goes.

Sue’s determination and commitment is making a real difference to people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing across Suffolk. Nominated by Jayne Davey

Lorna Waller – Lavenham

Now 93, Lorna has been a devoted contributor in Lavenham since moving into the village in 1953. Lorna’s involvement includes her support for the Church, the Salvation Army and the Over 60’s club and it doesn’t stop there.

Lorna’s work on the mapping of walks around Lavenham, which began in the 1980s, is something that locals and visitors are enjoying to this very day.

Lorna’s hard work led to the production of Countryside Walks of Lavenham, which has benefitted residents and all visiting ramblers from England and overseas, and this legacy will continue for many years to come. This undertaking was a huge accomplishment over many years.

It is probable that the mapping of the walks was a direct result of Lorna’s experience in the Army. Lorna served her country for six years in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the British Army during the Second World War.

The mapping of the local walks was a wonderfully constructive way to use this experience for the benefit of countless residents and tourists of Lavenham. Nominated by Joy Barker

Janice Gibson – Hessett

Janice became a Hessett Parish Councillor 20 years ago and since day one has been very proactive in helping to deliver many benefits to the village.

It was Janice’s enthusiasm and determination that drove the new play equipment project, which included overseeing the design and securing the funding, which has benefitted many local children.

Janice was also instrumental in setting up the community speed watch scheme and has been a volunteer ever since. On top of all of this, Janice also finds time to help at the Luncheon Club and serves lunch to senior citizens, twice monthly, in the village hall.

Being a good mentor to the present Chairman and valued assistant to all new councillors, demonstrates the commitment that Janice has shown and continues to show the community of Hessett. Nominated by Hessett Parish Council

Tina Loose – Boxford

Tina is a well-respected and loved figure in the village and has become the “go to” person for many matters. Tina’s contribution and time in all her voluntary work is outstanding.

As a member of the three parishes’ first response team for 10 years, Tina was often first on the scene to administer lifesaving procedures and distress relief. In recognition of her voluntary work, Tina received the Queen’s Jubilee Award for her service.

Tina is also the Chairman of the Boxford Society and has been so for 10 years (and a member for 20 years). The aims of the Society are to safeguard the heritage past, present and future of this unique village and to research, archive and publicise its history. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Boxford Community Council, Tina supports the fundraising charity which supports a wide range of village activities for children and adults.

Tina’s personal interest in natural history and wild flowers has led her to give illustrated talks over the last 10 years. Since 1999, Tina has been heavily involved with the small local group which manages Primrose Wood in Boxford – a community woodland part funded by villagers and planted in 1999.

Tina is never one to take credit for anything, she is a collaborative team worker, kind and objective in her thoughts and actions, supportive and a true friend of the village of Boxford and beyond. Nominated by Andrew Good

Sally Green – Haughley

Sally’s dedication as Chairman of the Haughley Village Hall Management Committee is why she has been recognised as a community hero.

Sally’s contribution in leading the group has led to the major improvements in the building and has resulted in an increased participation in the use of the hall by more diverse groups from across the parish. Sally mobilised a large group of volunteers, attracted a large amount of funding for the hall and has shown a dedicated commitment to improving facilities for Haughley Parish.

Since this refurbishment, the hall has been used for a wide range of activities. The main occupant is a pre-school group which has seen its numbers rise substantially since the main hall work was completed. Other users include an amateur dramatics group, two dance groups, a painting group, yoga and tai-chi groups. In addition, funding was secured from the Parish Council to set up and run a basic IT teaching group which required the installation of broadband facilities and purchase of lap-top computers.

The amount of work undertaken to restore the Haughley Village Hall has been huge. It has stretched the skills of the Village Hall Management Committee and this team has been ably led by Sally achieving so much for the local community.Nominated by Racheal Eburne

Peter Somers – Great Cornard

Peter has been an honourable and valued member of Ipswich Basketball Club for over 20 years. During his time with the club, Peter has dedicated so much of his time to help others. His commitment is second to none, providing every child with that ‘opportunity’ to succeed in life through sport, motivation and to believe in themselves.

Since retiring from Great Cornard Middle School, Peter has given so much of his time to local sport at schools in particular his expertise of basketball, which has proven invaluable to coaches throughout the club. Not only does Peter dedicate many hours to the Ipswich Basketball Club, he also supports local schools within the Babergh community coaching basketball and entering them in to local tournaments. Much of his voluntary work takes place at Boxford Primary School, where he teaches PE and is a much respected and valued member. In addition, he shares a lot of his spare time volunteering at his local rugby club.

Peter is also known as “Mr fix it, Mr organised”; if a job needs doing he just gets on with it, however big or small. Not just coaching but driving minibuses, picking up litter after games etc.

Basketball locally, owes an awful lot to this intelligent, kind and giving man.Nominated by Nick Drane

Madeleine Jackaman – Levenheath

Anybody who has any interest and support for animals knows Madeleine (or Maggie as she is widely known) and her animal charity SESAW, a sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals.

Maggie started up SESAW from her own home, with her husband Rob. Alongside volunteers, they run the sanctuary, raise the funds and deal with all the maintenance. The charity aims to make the animals feel safe and secure and ultimately re-home them. If animals are too traumatised to be rehomed, then they stay at SESAW and receive T.L.C from Maggie and the volunteers.

Since the charity started, Maggie has never had a holiday or a day off. Maggie has encouraged the volunteers to support the needs of the charity and has involved young people with learning difficulties, agricultural students, work placement and work experience. Maggie works closely with the local vets, social services and housing associations to promote the charity and help where she can.

Maggie is highly respected in the community for her animal charity and much more. Maggie was a member of Levenheath Council serving as a Councillor for eight years and Chairman for 12 years; a total of 20 years.

Maggie is so dedicated to the welfare of the animals that even this evening’s celebrations can’t detract her from putting them first. She will be up and feeding animals from 4am tomorrow morning! Nominated by Margot Bartlett

Mike Arbon – Stowmarket

Mike’s passion for music has always been evident, especially within the local church where he regularly plays the organ and has done so for many years.

Mike was one of the founding members of the Combined Churches Choir within Stowmarket and has led the musical direction for 15 years. In that time, through his leadership, musicality, enthusiasm and personal warmth, the Choir has grown in size and stature. Membership currently stands at around 60 singers, with people joining from personal recommendation or having heard the Choir sing.

Outside of the Choir, Mike has belonged to the local Rotary organisation and has used his links to promote charity events for local causes.

Mike has now announced his intention to retire from the Choir, as he feels he is advancing in years and the Choir need a new lease of energy to continue on its journey. He will be missed by all that he has worked with.

Mike has had several health issues along the way but at no time has he complained or allowed circumstance to slow him down. Mike is a highly valued member of Stowmarket and the Church Choir and he will be sadly missed when he departs from the Choir. Nominated by Marion Grey on behalf of Combined Churches Choir

Eileen Bugg - Shotley

Since moving to Shotley in 1989, Eileen has been involved with many community groups, organisations and fundraising committees for the benefit of all who live in the village.

Eileen’s fundraising has helped many. She was instrumental with raising funds to build the new village hall, which is the hub for village activities and home to nearly 40 groups and organisations for young and old. As a regular church-goer, Eileen was a founding member of the Heritage 700 Committee, which has raised more than £200,000 for repairs and improvements to St Mary’s Church.

At the age of 77, Eileen spends up to six days a week, and has done for the past 15 years, collecting litter to ensure that Shotley remains picturesque for locals and visitors.

As a former member of the Women’s Institute, Eileen is involved in many activities for the Over-60’s. After joining the Over 60’s Social Club, she has stepped up and runs the club on alternate Thursdays. As well as baking cakes for this event, Eileen organises coach outings for member to attractions and events around the country.

Eileen has shown wonderful strength, fortitude and dedication throughout the years, never holds back from giving as much as she does.Nominated by Derek Davis

Ralph Earey – Sproughton

Ralph’s enthusiastic voluntary work in managing and organising the Annual Bonfire and Fireworks event has made it an occasion that everyone looks forward too.

The annual event is now in its 28th year and was instigated by Ralph for the first time in 1988. Since then, the event has grown year on year in numbers and popularity. In November 2015, the event attracted 2,500 people and raised well over £12,000.

The event is well known in the area and attracts up to 3,000 people each year. The organisation of this event is masterminded by Ralph and relies on up to a further 60 volunteers, to ensure the safe and correct management of the evening. In the years that the event has been running, a total of in excess of £50,000 has been raised for local charitable causes.

Ralph also organises the annual Burns Night Supper and quiz in the village. Whilst events like these rely on volunteers and goodwill from many people, it is Ralph’s hard work which has resulted in annual events that are well known and renowned in the area. Nominated by Simon Curl

Wendy Sparrow – Nayland with Wissington

Wendy has been a volunteer for almost 50 years in a wide variety of ways in the community.

Wendy was Clerk to Nayland with Wissington Parish Council for 25 years until her retirement, a role that she carried out with enthusiasm, efficiency and integrity.

Wendy is currently the Parish History Recorder for the Suffolk Local History Society. In this role, she records village events and news to future generations, writes regular articles and makes the parish archive available to anyone wishing to know more about local historic properties or family history.

In 1974, Wendy was one of the founders of the Conservation Society whose aims are to protect and promote the heritage and natural environment of the parish. As a result, she has assisted with community projects including archaeological digs and surveys, tree planting, research for local history books, local exhibitions and fundraising for conservation for over forty years.

However, Wendy’s voluntary work has not been limited to her interest in local history and the environment. Many organisations and individuals have benefitted from her support over the years. She has also been a great support to elderly neighbours.

Wendy can always be counted on to lend a hand whenever asked by many organisations. Wendy is totally committed to the community in so many ways and has been a hardworking volunteer for decades. Nominated by Mary George

John Davey – Great Finborough

John’s commitment to Great Finborough is evident through his many roles within the village.

John established a Neighbourhood Watch in 1995 and has remained as a Coordinator since then. He has been a long-standing committee member of the Great Finborough and District Garden Club and Chairman for the past ten years. Through the club, he has inspired and been the prime mover in creating and establishing an organisation which promotes the Village Open Garden Days. This raises large sums for the parish church and varied charities.

John also collects and then distributes wild bird seed which has resulted in over £18,000 raised for charities including EACH, St Andrews Parish Church, the village primary school and the village hall.

In addition, John has spent a great deal of time and expense in improving the facilities in the village hall. Many are very grateful for John’s assistance over the years. John never asks for thanks or praise and could be said to be worthy of the title “Mr Great Finborough” but his modesty would lead him to be embarrassed by such praise.Nominated by Great Finborough Parish Council

Robert Feltwell - Bentley

Bob has made an outstanding contribution to the community, and provision of village amenities for over 10 years, seeing many benefits for local residents.

Bob’s achievements within Bentley are vast. He was instrumental in securing a play area for the younger children in the village by securing the land and obtained funding for the development and equipping the area. Bob also planned and obtained funding for the refurbishment and instalment of new goals posts on the village football field.

Bob has been the driving force in the establishment of a new community owned and run village shop. Bob chaired the planning group, and succeeded in raising the vast majority of the £90,000 funds needed, from charitable and private donations. He steered through the design and successful planning application for the shop, which is due to be opened and staffed by volunteers in July 2016.

Due in large part to his contribution to village life, in conjunction with the flourishing volunteer-run community pub, to which he also made a major advisory contribution; there has been a remarkable change in community spirit and Bentley is now a vibrant village.

Many residents have benefitted from Bob’s outstanding contributions and it wouldn’t be the same without him. Nominated by Dr. Michael Bamford

Rosemary Knox - Nayland with Wissington

For many years Rosemary has been a hardworking member of the community and her voluntary work has not gone unnoticed.

Rosemary has assisted with the needs of residents of all ages whether they were pupils at the village school, the elderly residents on her Meals on Wheels delivery round, the team that looks after St Mary’s Church at Wiston or the management committee of Nayland Village Hall.

Rosemary has also assisted and organised fundraising events for a wide variety of societies and organisations in the parish. She completed over 24 years as a highly respected Parish Councillor before retiring in May 2015.

Rosemary finds the time to act as a trustee for the Walsh Trust, a charity that supports elderly residents in need at Christmas. Rosemary is also a long term member of St Mary’s Parochial Church Council and is their Synod representative.

Rosemary has been involved in half a century of fundraising for many organisations within the parish. For decades residents have been able to count on her expertise and practical support.Nominated by Mary George

Action in the CommunityThis category recognise the work of groups of people whose actions affect the wider community either by improving the environment or by providing help to those in need.

Ernie and Shirley Meekings – Great Ashfield

Ernie and Shirley are gems within the community at Great Ashfield and do a great deal of voluntary work for different local charities.

Shirley is a long standing local poppy collector for the Royal British Legion. Shirley and Ernie started the MacMillan Coffee morning in All Saints Church, which has raised over £2,200.

Both Shirley and Ernie are on the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and very active within All Saints Church, being sidesmen and also find time to run the bell ringing team. With their help, the PCC has raised over £100,000 for the church and other charities.

Ernie has also found the time to maintain the churchyard, which is admired by all who visit for the wild flowers.

Ernie and Shirley also find the time to be “Litter Angels” and keep their part of the village clear of rubbish. Nominated by Roy Barker

Redwoods Lunch Club volunteers - Stowmarket

The volunteers at Redwoods Lunch Club offer a welcoming service for older people who live in and around Stowmarket, where they can enjoy good healthy food in a friendly environment.

During 2015, the club offered 31 occasions where up to 40 individuals were provided with hot meals and social opportunities through chat with others who attend and also by hearing and taking part in talks from local organisations.

The club aims to reduce isolation by providing an environment that people enjoy coming to. The volunteers ensure that new people are well integrated and a number of the older people who have been coming for a while now enjoy helping new people.

The running of the lunchtime sessions wouldn’t be possible without the team of volunteers. Their duties are very varied and can range from serving teas and coffees, to chatting with the guests on arrival and after the meal, to ensuring people feel welcome and feel confident to return.

The volunteers’ commitment is outstanding. They all regularly attend and really enjoy the teamwork and social interaction with the diners. Nominated by Lesley Mayes

Sproughton Community Shop Volunteers

The Community Shop in Sproughton has become the heart of the village since it opened in 2010.

Following the closure of the village stores and post office in the early 1980’s, the village was without a local shop. In 2005, a community survey identified that residents would be willing to volunteer to help if a community shop was established.

The business is managed by a small board of directors and a part time paid manager. However, the day to day running of the shop is possible because of 20 dedicated volunteers, who welcome and serve customers, check stock and replenish shelves, clean and tidy and generally ensure that customers enjoy their shopping experience. The shop has an annual turnover in the region of £83,000 and generates profit by selling over 900 lines of stock provided by 33 or so local suppliers.

Without this band of volunteers, the shop couldn’t open its doors seven days a week, 363 days a year; from 7.45am in the morning until closing time at 5.00pm. Between them, they contribute in the region of 4,000 hours of volunteer time to the shop and community each year and since opening, this amasses to approximately 13 volunteer years of work.

The Sproughton Community Shop Volunteers give their time freely and enable a vital village shop to sustainably serve the community.Nominated by Sproughton Parish Council

Peter and Valerie Godden – Old Newton

Peter and Valerie are both pivotal to the community and especially to St Marys Church.

Peter is one of the Church Wardens and was responsible for reviving the church bell ringers as a village organisation. Every weekend, Peter acts as a free taxi service for any parishioner who struggles to get to church or to church events. He assists in organising working parties for cemetery maintenance and grass cutting of the old part of the cemetery. He sings in the choir, always attends any funerals, weddings or church events to ensure proceedings run smoothly. Peter has been fundraising champion for the church and has helped to organise and raise funds for new floors in the church, a new window and refurbishment of the church organ and bells.

Valerie runs the village choir, plays the organ for all church services and is also the Church Warden for St Nicholas Chapel at Gipping.

As a couple, the Church would not function without their combined efforts. They are always friendly, helpful, nothing is ever too much trouble for them and they make themselves available as and when required. The amount of time and dedication that Peter and Valerie have given to St Mary’s and the parish of Old Newton and Gipping is outstanding. Nominated by Mary Reeve

490th BG Memorial Group – Eye

The 490th BG Memorial Project formed as a small community group, after the 70th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day Invasion, after discovering that the town did not have one War Memorial dedicated to the 250 young men who died flying from there during 1944/45.

The work the group has done, alongside the school, has helped to secure nearly £40,000 in Heritage Lottery Funding; funding which enabled the creation of a heritage trail across the airfield while producing information boards to develop community knowledge and intelligence.

Thanks to that hard work and contributions of the group, there’s now smaller memorials placed inside the town hall as well as at Hartismere School – with the next step being a permanent monument being installed just outside the airfield by May 2016.

Fred, Jackie and Leah’s passion and drive shows how much they care for their local area and how determined they are to highlight the plight the brave men of the 490th. Nominated by Dan Charman

Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance

The work and commitment of the Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance group means that residents, family and friends of Hadleigh live in a dementia friendly community.

The group of volunteers is headed up by Tracey Loynds as Chair, Heather McRoberts as Treasurer and PSCO Matt Paisley as Secretary.

The Alliance aims to address isolation and understanding and provides support to individuals, their families and the community to raise awareness of dementia.

The Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance was the first town in Suffolk to be formally recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society and National Dementia Action Alliance.

The most recent action for the Alliance to be proud of is the introduction of Together Tuesday, a new session supporting people in Hadleigh to live well with dementia. The session supports people with dementia and their family and friends.

The Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance have come a long way since September 2014; Tracey has spoken on national platforms in Suffolk for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Event; sharing how Hadleigh became the first town in Suffolk to be formally recognised for this work.

What more can be said for this amazing consortium of community volunteers who have started on the long road to develop a dementia friendly community for Hadleigh.Nominated by Jan Osborne

Needham Market Internet Café

The Café started its journey in November 2004 when the town identified an Internet Cafe as the number one priority for young people. Following lots of hard work in consulting the community, pulling together a willing team of volunteers, forming the Community Interest Company and raising sufficient funds, Needham Market Internet Cafe CIC opened its doors in September 2007.

The service has evolved from its initial role as a simple Internet Café to become much more of a community asset. It has been particularly popular with young people who have been fully involved in its growth. They chose the colour scheme when it was decorated, have been part of creating the rules of use, advised on equipment and have been part of funding applications to provide equipment.

The Café have over 100 young people on their regular user list but many more use the facilities. Between 40 and 50 young people visit the Café each day (sometimes as many as 75); and more than 150 different young people per week.

As well as a hub for young people, the Café also runs silver surfer sessions in association with Age UK, a regular job club and offers the building out for uses such as a regular knitting club and Minecraft club for families with autistic children.

Over the past eight years the project has benefitted from over £300,000 worth of volunteer time. With the Internet Café being such a success amongst the young people from the town it provides an essential meeting point for all who attend. Nominated by Tom Barker

Westhorpe Village Hall

Westhorpe Village Hall is an incorporated charity and has been running since November 2011. Its aim is to provide and manage a suitable village hall in order to maintain and build a thriving self-supporting community to reduce the impact of social and rural isolation in Westhorpe and the surrounding villages.

The work at the village hall is possible due to the management committee, a group of volunteer trustees and company members.

The hall is regularly hired for yoga classes, personal fitness training, carpet bowls, the gardening club, parish council meetings and elections. It has also been hired for a number of one-off events such as parties, celebrations and a business conference.

The management committee have identified that the current dilapidated village hall will need to be replaced very soon, as it is no longer fit for purpose and beyond repair. A lot of effort and hard work has led to the successful award of a BIG Lottery grant in the region of £450,000 to build a new hall. This funding is supported by the committee who are raising an additional £60,000.

The committee has given hours of their time and expertise to this worthy cause, involving and engaging the community in the proposed new build, something which will benefit many people in countless ways for many years to come. Nominated by Roy Barker

Outstanding Local BusinessThis category recognises businesses which have made a significant contribution to either the social or environmental wellbeing of the districts and its residents.

Hadleigh Fruit and Veg Stall – Melvin Murton

Melvin has run the fruit and vegetable stall on Hadleigh market for 35 years until his retirement this year. Although during this time the market has seen dramatic changes, Melvin remained committed to delivering his business in Hadleigh.

Hadleigh fruit and veg stall has been a very reassuring feature to the residents and community of the town. Melvin has the community at the heart of his business and provides a personal touch to his trade; he has managed to create the balance of running a successful and prosperous business within one of Babergh’s main towns whilst remaining a well-known, down to earth, market stall holder.

Older customers choose to buy produce from Melvin’s stall rather than other retailers for not only the local produce but for his conversation and friendship. Some of Melvin’s more frail customers who are now unable to make it to the stall are supported by Melvin and Tina, Melvin’s wife, who take their shopping to them at the end of the day. Their commitment to these individuals will continue even after the stall has closed; by collecting shopping from other markets and taking it to those unable to get out.

With Melvin’s retirement, customers who regularly use the market are visibly upset to be losing not only their fruit and veg stall, but the friends they have had for many years. Nominated by Clare Boniface

Supporting sponsors This evening’s event has been kindly supported by numerous organisations which has made it possible for us to arrange such a memorable evening for all our winners.

SERCO group

Serco has been collecting recycling, refuse, garden waste, clinical waste and bulky household waste on behalf of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils since 2007. Our people live in and are a part of the communities we serve and therefore it is our honour to support and celebrate local people and their achievements by sponsoring the Community Achievement Awards.

Landscape Group

The Landscape Group (TLG) works alongside Babergh and Mid Suffolk delivering resources to maintain parks, open spaces and undertake street cleansing services. TLG provides a diverse range of clean, green, arboricultural and landscape construction services across the UK to local authorities, housing associations, private businesses, schools and the construction industry.

With regard to the ever increasing importance of community groups in developing and protecting their local green spaces, TLG has launched a charity aimed at supporting community projects in publicly-owned parks and open spaces called Growing a Greener Britain. Information is available within your goodie bags that you will be handed when leaving the awards.

www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

www.growingagreenerbritain.org

James White Drinks

www.jameswhite.co.uk - 01473 890111

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Aspalls

www.aspall.co.uk - 01728 860510

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspallUK/ • Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Aspall

Alder Tree Ices

www.alder-tree.co.uk/ - 01449 721220 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlderTreeLtd/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aldertreeltd