Local heroes recognised at Mayor’s Civic Awards
Date Published : 28 March 2008
Outstanding members of Walsall’s community were invited to celebrate their achievements Friday 28 March 2008 at the 5th annual Mayor’s Civic Awards.
The awards recognise the exceptional effort and commitment by individuals who have done sterling work for the benefit of others and the community.
Mayors and Councillor Leaders from across the region joined the Mayor of Walsall, councillor Melvin Pitt at the Oscar-style event, held at the Banks’s Stadium.
Councillor Pitt began proceedings and welcomed the audience before ITV Central News anchorman, Bob Warman compered the rest of the evening.
Local jazz band The Tim Amann Quartet entertained the guests during the three course pre-ceremonial meal.
The 200 plus audience listened carefully as each of the eleven categories were announced via a video screen, with each video clip describing the role of the nominees.
The winners:
Good Citizen Award (sponsored by Walsall Housing Group)
Winner: Margaret Hayes of Pelsall
Margaret has worked tirelessly as School Governor, Magistrate and is chair of three local organisations including Autumn Close Residents Association and a committee member for three others.
As chair of the Autumn Close Residents Association, she obtained money from a local initiative to fund new carpet and furniture for the community centre and negotiated with the Probation Service to decorate the whole of the centre for the first time in 25 years.
Margaret has been involved in a number of other projects, including the installation of fencing and security gates, planting of new trees and other schemes in conjunction with local schools.
Safer Community Award (sponsor: Barhale)
Winner: Harden Residents Association
Anti-social behaviour was rife on the Poets Estate until the Harden Residents Association, chaired by Graham Taylor who collected the award, took a firm stand.
When planned regeneration saw the demolition of the estate, the remaining residents found themselves plagued by vandals, arsonists and fly-tippers. As a result, the Association installed CCTV equipment, evidence from which resulted in criminal ASBO and custodial sentences imposed on the perpetrators. The Association has since been honoured with the “Taking a Stand Award” presented by the Home Office.
Environmental Awareness Award (sponsored by Mid-Counties Co-operative)
Winner: Julia Morris, from New Deal New Horizons
Walsall New Deal for Communities has developed a partnership arrangement with Neighbourhood Nature through Birmingham and the Black Country Wildlife Trust to employ an environmental co-ordinator for the Blakenall, Leamore and Bloxwich areas.
Julia works with community groups and young people on a wide range of environmental projects, giving them the opportunity to make a contribution to their environment. She has helped Millfields Residents Group to improve the local woodland area and supported Harden School to develop an after-school gardening club.
Julia has a regular slot – “Julia’s Nature Nooz” in local area magazine ‘The Chatter’ where she gies hints and tips about wildlife and the environment.
Promoting Learning Award (sponsor: Education Walsall – Serco)
Winner: The Shepwell Centre Medical Pupil Referral Unit, Willenhall
Staff at the Shepwell Centre Medical Pupil Referral Unit deal with vulnerable pupils with medical conditions that prevent them from attending mainstream schooling.
The small but dedicated team provide home tuition for pupils who are too sick to leave home and inevitably form a close bond with young people, who consider the team to be part of the family.
Through joint working schools and partners as well as parents, The Shepwell Centre is a prime mover in addressing the needs of Walsall’s young people and ensuring they can access education and continue to enjoy and achieve in life.
Young Citizen of the Year Award (Sponsor: Frank Haslam Milan)
Winner: Matthew Hardwick
Eighteen-year old Matthew from Walsall has been an active member of the Young Firefighters Association since October 2001. By 2002, Matthew was promoted to leading firefighter, becoming group leader in charge of ten others and in November 2007, he took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for widows who have lost loved ones in the cause of firefighting and ‘children in need’.
In recognition of his work, Matthew was presented with the Good Citizen award in November 2007 by Bloxwich police for a student who had made a notable contribution to the community. In addition, he was appointed head boy to represent Frank F Harrison School this term.
On being presented the award, Matthew said: “I’m extremely honoured to receive this award. It’s been a brilliant evening and I’m proud to be honoured with a Dora.”
Mayor’s Award (sponsor: Chamberlin & Hill)
Winner: Walsall North Scout District Adult Team
The group consists of over 200 adults who have worked extremely hard as a team to ensure that the 600 plus youth members of Walsall North Scout District enjoyed and made the most of their Centenary year of Scouting.
Five main events have been held to commemorate the year and the participation in events such as St George’s Day celebrations last April and the Centenary camp in May 2007 has raised the profile of Scouting across the Borough.
Community Spirit Award (sponsor: Walsall Borough Strategic Partnership)
Winner: Madeline Holland, Walsall
Madeline has served the community of Walsall for many years and has helped establish the Walsall Multi Faith Forum and the Star Programme. Her hard work and dedication to community cohesion, equality and diversity for all is well known.
She works diligently with young people of all backgrounds to instil civic responsibility, self-respect, tolerance and promoting achievement to make Walsall an even better place to live.
She is Chair for Walsall Children’s Trust, vice chair for Walsall Women’s Forum, Black Sisters Collective and Caldmore Housing Association; Treasure for Aaina Women’s Centre; Trustee and Board Member for the Multi Faith Forum and Governor for Walsall College.
“I feel humbled and honoured to receive this award which has been bestowed upon me by my peers who, like me work hard towards making Walsall a community to be proud of,” Madeline said.
“I would like to thank (colleague) Aisha for nominating me and I hope to continue working for the local community for many years to come.”
Voluntary Achievement of the Year (sponsor: Price Waterhouse Coopers)
Winner: Mrs Pauline Wedge
Despite working full time for a local company for the past 37 years, Pauline has spent the last ten years supporting her disabled daughter and her husband who suffered a stroke five years ago.
Pauline has been an active member for the Pleck Neighbourhood Watch Group and is Treasurer of the Alumwell School Friends and Parent Group. She has engaged in numerous fundraising activities for the group and won funding for £7,410 to adapt a mobile classroom into a drop-in centre.
She is a member of the Kingsley Fellowship Klub in Pleck, a Street Champion for the area and vice chairperson for Crimestoppers.
In total, Pauline devotes 30-35 hours of her week to voluntary activities. Commenting on accepting the Voluntary Achievement Award, she enthused: “I’m absolutely flabbergasted. I just love to be busy and helping people. It’s such a beautiful occasion and lovely to celebrate everyone’s efforts.”
The Overcoming All Odds Award (sponsored by Walsall’s New Deal)
Winner: Ryan Cockbill
In July 2006, Ryan’s life was changed by a tragic accident in a swimming pool where he broke his neck resulting in Ryan being paralysed from the chest down.
Ryan’s life changed in an instant from being an active teenager (age 19 years) with dreams of being a chef to needing care for the rest of his life. Since the accident his passion for sport continues and his disability has not deterred him from becoming a member of the wheelchair rugby team. His attitude and outlook has been truly inspirational. Indeed, Ryan has never given up hope and remains positive about his future.
Carer of the Year (no sponsor)
Winner: The Murphy Family: Ed, Mandie & son Keiran
The “Unsung heroes” of our community, this award celebrates individuals, couples or families who have dedicated their time in caring for others.
Parents Mandie and Ed Murphy from Bentley Drive, Walsall have three children – 18-year-old Keiran and twins Kerry and Adam. For the past nine years, life has centred on the twins who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Ed has taken time out of regular employment to be primary carer allowing Mandie to return to work. Mandie is a member of support group AWARE (Autism Walsall Action Resoucrse and Education) for which Ed and Keiran recently raised funds by taking part in a 30 mile mountain boke ride.
Walsall Business of the Year (sponsor: PP Electrical Systems Ltd)
Winner: The Midcounties Co-operative
Employing over 3,000 staff, the Midcounties Co-operative is definitely a Black Country firm success story.
The business consistently achieves impressive financial results whilst maintaining its ethical co-operative principles, including sharing its profits with charities and community groups.
With an annual turnover of over £700m the organisation is increasingly diverse in its businesses which now boasts funeral services, pharmacy, newsagents, travel agencies motor accessory outlets and convenience stores within its vast portfolio.
Commenting on the success of the occasion, Mayor of Walsall councillor Melvin Pitt said: “These people have been recognised for their outstanding work in the community and are an inspiration to all of us.”
"The event was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I would like to thank everyone for coming, particularly our sponsors who have made such an important contribution to the event.
Self-coined ‘son of Walsall’, Bob Warman concluded: "The evening was one of celebration and recognition - marking the achievements of some of the most special people in Walsall."
John Garner, Walsall Copuncil constitutional services manager, said: “I’m proud to say the Civic Awards were a rousing success and we’re all delighted over how well the event well.This is a fantastic chance for us to celebrate the good work in the community and a chance to congratulate the often unsung heroes in our midst.
“Building pride in Walsall is something the council spends a great deal of time and effort on and this event does just that. We’ll be turning our attention to the 2008 event once the dust has settled.”
The awards are named the ‘Doras’ after one of the borough’s best known historical figures, nurse Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison, who demonstrated admirable qualities and dedication to those in need of care.
For further details about each category please visit www.walsall.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/mayor_of_walsall.htm