Wealden honours exceptional community service
Three Wealden Chairman’s Awards have been presented this year to honour the time and effort spent in exceptional service to the community by three Wealden residents.
Mrs Rosemary Keen from Uckfield received the Wealden Long Service Award for her many years involvement with the Guide movement. This began in Tunbridge Wells when she was seven, and later continued in Hellingly and Uckfield. Mrs Keen has been a Brownie, Guide, Senior Ranger, Tawny Owl, Brown Owl and a member of the Trefoil Guild, attending many county and regional events on behalf of the movement. She has also been an active member of the Dark Horse Venture scheme, which encourages the over 50s to take part in new activities and pursuits, and the Uckfield Squadron of the Air Training Corps.
The winner of the Wealden Arts Award was Mrs Jenny West, who has been instrumental in organising a wide range of different artistic events including arts groups, arts festivals, exhibitions and even a theatrical touring group. She was a trustee of the Isaac Newton Arts Trust, a charity that provides cultural arts events and training in Wealden, and has been a keen supporter of events at Gallery North, Hailsham.
The Wealden Community Award - for dedicated service to the local community - goes to Stan Cosham of Wadhurst. Stan has raised a great deal of money over the years for local causes including the Wadhurst Surgery, the Scout Hall, St John's Ambulance, the Wadhurst Commemoration Hall and St George's Hall. He is also curator of his own museum of war memorabilia which he opens to school children and the general public. Stan is involved in many different aspects of village life, and is well known in the parish as someone who enriches and brightens people’s lives.
“All three award winners this year have shown exemplary dedication to helping fulfill the lives of the people around them,” said Councillor Mrs Pat Kennedy, Chairman of Wealden District Council. “They have made a point of sharing their enthusiasms with the community, and taking the time and trouble to get involved, ensuring that we continue to have vibrant rural towns and villages in this part of Sussex. These awards can only be a small token of thanks from the community for all they have given us.”
This year’s award categories were chosen by the Chairman of Wealden District Council, and Councillor Mrs Kennedy also presented the awards at a civic reception held at Herstmonceux Castle. A raffle was held to raise money for this year’s Chairman’s Charity, the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal. Last year’s Community Award was won by John and Prudence Rhodes from Hartfield.
