Civic Award For Roehampton Heroine
One of six of the borough's most committed community leaders rewarded for their hard work
Shirley Price was one of six local heroes to recive a Civic Award thie week. Shirley works tirelessly to provide community events and activities for the people of Roehampton. She has started many classes including Zumba, indoor bowls, community garden groups and line dancing. She reaches out to various activity groups to teach young members of the community new skills such as circus skills or photography. Her nominators described her as “a campaigner for all that is good. Her support for residents is endless”.
The award ceremony was held at the civic suite in Wandsworth town hall to recognise six residents who have volunteered their services over a long period of time for the benefit of the wider community. This year's winners include committed community leaders and people working with Wandsworth’s young residents.
Presenting each with their award, the borough's mayor, Cllr Angela Graham, said:
“It never ceases to amaze me how many truly wonderful people there are in our borough. The judging was an incredibly humbling experience, to realise that there are so many selfless, giving people in our midst. They give their time tirelessly and they are truly an inspiration to the rest of us. I am so pleased that these people have been recognised. I am also very proud that these people live in Wandsworth which is such a brilliant place to live. I applaud them from my heart.”
Award recipients had been nominated by local residents, businesses, voluntary and community organisations or councillors - but results were not announced until the night of the reception.
Find out how to nominate for next year's awards atwww.wandsworth.gov.uk/civicawards
The five other recipients of a 2013 Civic Award were:
Marlene Price - Marlene has worked tirelessly on behalf of her community for many years, especially for the borough’s 33,000 tenants and leaseholders. She has helped shape important changes of direction in the approach to housing management, strongly influenced the outcome of the process which resulted in the council retaining direct ownership of the housing stock, and has helped to shape tenancy and lease conditions. She is also active at a national level setting up tenants’ groups.
Johnny Devas - Johnny chairs the trust that runs the Devas Club for young people in Battersea. The club provides young people with leisure, learning and training facilities and was recently upgraded, with new facilities including a training kitchen and a recording studio. One young person said of Johnny: ‘He has given us young people opportunities and experiences – to do things that we wouldn’t get a chance to do. He gives us youths a place to be and prevents us from being on the streets.’
Keith Chapman - Keith has been a trustee of the Katherine Low Settlement since 1973, and in the following forty years has kept a steady hand on its finances and brought it from a struggling organisation to a successful, thriving hub of activity at the heart of its community. He has rarely missed a board meeting in 40 years.
Rupert Payne - Rupert has fostered good community relations through his leading role in the West Indian Family and Friends Association, and through his work with the African-Caribbean community. He has been a champion of religious and cultural diversity and has promoted the interests of those who have become isolated through age or illness. He also supports the annual Balham and Tooting Fun Day.
& George Turner - George has lived and worked in the borough all his life and has a tireless commitment to helping the youth of the Borough turn their lives around. He runs a charity offering boxing fitness coaching and employment helps, helping to provide a safe haven for young people away from the lure of gangs. One of the young people that he has helped said: ‘I want him to win this award because he dedicates his weekends and numerous evenings to this charity and has had a direct impact on the lives of so many youths."
December 16, 2013